Aji-no-Yohei — Restaurant in Takayama

Professional photos on a menu are common in chain restaurants with sanitised, profit-maxing menus. When I saw the signboard outside and factored in the main street location, I could think only one thing - it's a TikTok trap. But the lure of Hida beef was too strong.

We entered at 17:30 to a mainly empty store. The inside was dated with dark wooden tables and a tall ceiling. As I sat down, another bad omen came into view. An Ipad. I hesitantly flicked through the early 2000s interface: most choices were the same set course with different sized portions of beef. As one family member who was with us hailed from a country with high purchasing power and large amounts of freedom, they kindly offered to pay for the meal. As such, everyone politely chose the smallest 70g portion. And the sake tasting set add-on. A non-negotiable. One tap of the screen and we were all 5000 yen lighter - well, one person was 5000 yen times 6 people lighter.

My expectations on the quality of the meal were gradually improving as I took in the store's atmosphere. The soft sound of sizzling and trickles of sweet smoke dispersed upwards into the open room. An impressive staircase led upwards and the odd decoration hinted at the building's history, which I later learned has been a sake factory for over 200 years.

Finally, my fears were put to rest as a large tray was swooped down in front of me carrying a colourful arrangement of dishes. A bright red piece of Hida beef was laid as the centre piece, streaked with white fat. Greens and reds popped out from the supporting vegetables and a black grill stood waiting in the corner. The beef went first. I watched it leak fat eagerly as the surface turned to a mesmerising golden brown. Searing two sides was the limit of my patience and without regard for the temperature, I popped it into my mouth. You can only hear that something melts like butter so many times, but perhaps it is butter that melts like Hida beef. The joy of self grilling and the quality of the meat was far beyond that of a lifeless chain restaurant and I can strongly recommend a visit. Maybe it's time to self reflect on my prejudices towards well-photographed gastronomic...

Aji-no-Yohei, located conveniently next to the Wood Takayama Hotel, is a true hidden gem in Takayama. Let me tell you, I've never tasted meat like this before—it's simply the best I've ever had.

First off, the location couldn't be more perfect. Just a stone's throw away from the Wood Takayama Hotel, it's easy to find and makes for a delightful dining experience after a day of exploring.

As soon as you step inside Aji-no-Yohei, you're greeted by the tantalizing aroma of sizzling Hida beef. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, with friendly staff ready to guide you through the menu.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show: the Hida beef. Trust me when I say, it's out of this world. Whether you go for the sukiyaki or shabu shabu, each bite is a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more. And don't forget to order some extra meat—you won't regret it.

What sets Aji-no-Yohei apart is not just the incredible taste of the beef, but also the quality. It's clear that they take pride in sourcing the best cuts and preparing them with care.

In conclusion, if you're in Takayama and craving an unforgettable dining experience, look no further than Aji-no-Yohei. With its prime location, warm atmosphere, and unbeatable Hida beef, it's sure to be a highlight...

showed up around 15 minutes before dinner opening time and was second in the queue, so we were able to find a table without reservation. at around 17:20 a long queue had already formed. the restaurant was extremely extremely busy, but the servers were still quick to respond, and a few can speak English.

if you prefer steak that tastes more meaty and is more chewy, this type of thick cut hida beef might not be for you.

we already knew hida beef is known for being very fatty, but actually eating it was still an interesting experience~ it’s best to let it cook for longer than usual on the grill so the fat leaks out, otherwise it’s a bit too much grease!

the dipping sauce isn’t the slightly sweeter and thicker type I prefer, but maybe this is better for this type of beef.

the side dishes in the set menu were OK. the grilled vegetables were good for offsetting the fattiness of the beef. we finished everything in under an hour, and didn’t linger to drink more sake because of the queue. the omiyage and sake shop connected to the restaurant is worth a look through after eating, though!

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