Shouraitei — Restaurant in Ueda

Y'ALL. Y'ALL. Y'ALL. If you are in Bessho Onsen, do yourself and your stomach a favor and BOOK THIS RESTAURANT for lunch or dinner.

I made a reservation for lunch on 4/9 here. Got the sukiyaki lunch for 3,850 yen. I also ordered their organic black lemonade (500 ml pitcher) for 800 yen and an extra egg for 50 yen.

First of all, let me just say, I was BLOWN AWAY by the service here. I wasn't expecting it but somehow, I was shown a PRIVATE ROOM even though my reservation was just for one (very pregnant) person. It was the room right at the front of the restaurant so I didn't have as nice a view of the mountains but WHO CARES because I got a private room!

The food was absolutely amazing. No complaints. All the side dishes were cooked to perfection. The meat was so soft. You can get free refills on the tamagoyaki (which is one of their specialties) so DO IT! They also cook the rice in an earthen pot and if you don't finish all the rice, they'll make it into an onigiri for you to take home, so you don't have to feel pressured about eating all the rice.

After my meal, I went to pay and the shop assistant asked if I had walked there. I did (a whole... 25-minute walk uphill from Bessho Onsen station). She said, "If we knew you were pregnant, we would have picked you up at the station! Do you need us to drive you back?"

Being the very pregnant (8 months) lady that I am, I immediately accepted her offer. I told her I was planning to go to Anrakuji and lo and behold, 5 minutes later, she got the van ready and drove me all the way there! THIS IS WHAT THEY MEAN BY OMOTENASHI! We had a nice talk in Japanese the whole way.

I wish I could give this place 10 stars. Food, drinks, service, price, atmosphere, everything was...

If you go to Bessho Onsen (which is definitely worth the visit) and you want to treat yourself to an exceptional Japanese gourmet experience, go to this restaurant, tucked away in the forest not far from the town. It was recommended by our host Rumi at Earthworks Guesthouse and it certainly did not disappoint. The chef prepared a delicious kaiseki dinner for us. Each course was brought with impeccable service in our own private dining room. A very special gastronomic experience indeed. Thank...

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