alba — Restaurant in Takayama

What a stunning meal! You must eat here if you're ever in Takayama. This was the most amazing meal we ever had in Japan, which is saying a lot. The service was kind and considerate, even by Japanese standards, and the quality and care for details in the cooking were plainly evident. We happened to walk past it and saw that it was highly rated on Google. Italian Japanese fusion sounded interesting. Thankfully he had two seats available. We ordered the second of three set menus. It was supposed to come with two appetizers, two pastas, soup, a main dish, and dessert, but it was so much more than that. The owner/chef works by himself and he apologized in advance for any perceived slowness of the preparation, which we did not notice at all. He was efficient and kind and friendly and happily explained all of the dishes he served us. The first appetizer was 4 small servings of seafood (raw fish x 2, braised squid, fried mackerel). The second appetizer was a nice salad with a rainbow of interesting little bites (salami, prosciutto, mozzarella, mikan orange, peach, a slice of pork roulade, stuffed mushroom, squash, and a fascinating corn mousse). We were starting to get full. (These were plated for each of us separately, not to share as we expected.) Then, he brings out some fried local mushroom as another appetizer, followed by homemade sourdough and focaccia, and the two pasta dishes. If I was enjoying this meal before, the pasta made me fall in love. All the pasta is handmade and you can't go wrong with any choice you make. The tagliatelle with sausage and mushroom was flavorful and lighter than you'd expect. Same with the gnocchi Bolognese (which was the best gnocchi I've ever had). This was followed by a delicious creamy and light potage of potato and Jerusalem artichoke. For the main, we chose the sea bream, though he also had lamb and venison available. Finally, the dessert was a chestnut and apple cake served with apple ginger ice cream and stewed berries. This was one of the best meals we've had in years, and it was one we will always remember. Everything was so considerate and thoughtful, and it seems that most, of the ingredients were locally sourced. Even though we didn't make reservations, it's highly recommended. We saw him regretfully turn people away because there was no availability. When in Japan, you expect good service and delicious food, but this small restaurant blew way past those expectations. I don't know how he manages to serve that quantity and quality of food at those price points, but eating here while you're in...

It seemed my life was at an end. I was hungry, thirsty, and could no longer feel my fingers and toes. There was no rice, and so I had had nothing to eat for an entire evening. “Is this what it’s like to be stranded in the desert?” I thought to myself. Was this divine retribution for sleeping in the car? My stomach had caved in like a massive valley, and I had so little flesh the wind nearly blew me away. As I crawled, slowly, painfully slowly, my fingers digging into the ground, I happened upon this carriage of heavenly blessing. It was a miracle. This divine nectar, this godly meal, instantly rejuvenated me. I felt as though I had just been kissed and given a hug by god himself. As the delectable flavors melted upon my tongue, a symphony of perfectly harmonic colors flooded my senses. I felt like the food rater from ratatouille when he ate the ratatouille. I am no longer an atheist. This rejuvenated my belief in god, as how else could something so divine exist in this mortal realm? It must have been a miracle, sent directly from gods hands. I will no longer live a life of sin. I have been blessed. 10/10, 5/5, delicious. That is why I had...

Alba is an absolute gem for Italian food, serving up some of the best dishes we’ve had in Japan. We went for their set dinner, and every course was beautifully prepared and packed with flavor. The portions were way more generous than expected, making it a perfect meal to truly indulge in. The use of fresh fish and seasonal local vegetables made each dish feel special, and you could tell how much care went into every bite.

A surprising standout? Their tomato juice—seriously, it’s a must-try. Sounds simple, but it was incredibly rich, refreshing, and bursting with natural sweetness. It’s the kind of drink that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about tomato juice.

Beyond the food, the chef and hostess were beyond kind, making us feel right at home from the moment we walked in. The atmosphere was warm, inviting, and full of charm. Since the restaurant is small and highly sought-after, reservations are a must—don’t even think about walking in without one!

If you’re looking for amazing Italian cuisine, top-notch ingredients, and genuine hospitality, Alba is a must-visit. We’d go back in...