Sushi Kiraku — Restaurant in Yamagata

While this may be the only sushi restaurant at Mt Zao ski resort, the food was certainly not great. The kaisendon came with cheap tofu skin fillers (see photo, just peeking out under the prawn head) as one of the ingredients which took away from the luxe feel of the dish. Sushi (see other photo) also seems slightly dry. Overall portions were rather small and the restaurant is pricey for it's location in Zao.

We arrived in Zao relatively late in the season (just before mid-March), the restaurant operated by an old couple was less than half full with 2 tables occupied including us. Yet it took them at least 15mins to serve the main course (we didnt order any sides).

Among the many restaurants we tried during our ski trip at Mt Zao ski resort, this was the least memorable of the lot.

Give this a pass (or if the place is closed), you will not miss out much. Loads of other options, ask for a Zao food map from some restaurants along...

The only sushi restaurant in Zao Onsen area (that I'm aware of).

The seafood is fresh and the location convenient, and because of this make sure you make reservations!

Other than sushi, there is a veggie hot pot, soup (loaded with veg, spicy), omelet and other dishes.

There are counter seats where the Master prepares food, I've only seen Japanese visitors sit there, other seats are mats on tatami (not good for me, difficulty sitting on the ground for extended periods).

Service was good, there's an English menu and the staff speak basic English. Several walk-in customers were bluntly rejected because they didn't have reservations.

A cute senior cat (24 yrs old) resides inside and came through to go out the front door (doesn't...

Probably avoid this place. Sadly the only place in the whole of Zao onsen to get sushi.. I came at 7.45pm on Tuesday by myself and got the cross arm no don’t come in, even though they were clearly open, a large group of guests were leaving and no other customer in the restaurant. I then returned the next day assuming I was too late yesterday as says 9pm close (I could be in and out in 30 minutes given its sushi!), I came at 5.30pm and then 6pm and the whole place is shut and a ghost town. This is a Wednesday - super random and didn’t rate the rudeness to a potential paying customer,...