Coming to Japan to eat Japanese food is almost as popular as visiting this country for its natural beauty or its pop culture. It’s therefore no surprise that every prefecture in Japan has countless restaurants, noodle shops, snack shacks, and food stalls wherever you look. And like any good self-respecting Japanese town, Kotohira has more than enough to offer the hungry traveler!
Read on below to find seven culinary highlights for Kotohira, from cosy cafes to authentic sushi experiences and delicious vegan options!
Honey Raizo
This family-run Syokudo restaurant specializes in simple, affordable comfort food dishes. They serve up the sort of delicious meals that are more like something Japanese (grand)mothers serve their families than what you would find in a fine dining restaurant.
The elderly couple that owns the restaurant have been in business for over 50 years, first opening up the cafe across the street (only open before noon, go here for breakfast!) before opening Honey Raizo approximately 20 years ago. Make sure you try their speciality dish,
omelet rice!
They close early (last order at 7.30 p.m.), so make sure you get here no later than 7 p.m. if you plan on eating dinner here.
Sando Sand. Stand
This artsy lunch cafe serves sandwiches, ice cream, cakes, delicious pies, and great coffee in a stylish, brightly decorated environment. Stop to admire the art on display, strike up a conversation with the friendly staff, or hunker down for an afternoon of working from your laptop while munching on a toasted sandwich.
The cafe is part of a larger business, with event spaces, art studios, and even a boutique hotel occupying the floors above. For a great view of Kotohira, ask the staff about their secret rooftop!
Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 AM – 4 PM.
Iwanoya Udon
There is no better place to try Sanuki udon noodles in Kotohira than at Iwanoya! A visit to this udon shop will teach you all you need to know about Kagawa’s signature style of udon, with many different options to fill your stomach with noodly goodness.
Go for a classic bowl of udon noodles in fish broth, or choose ‘dry’ udon without broth, with a raw egg mixed in (a local favourite). Don’t forget to pick a tasty tempura side dish! Hot or cold, normal sized or ‘Sumo’-sized, Iwanoya will satisfy your stomach, but leave your soul unsatisfied until you’ve returned for more.
Open 10.30 AM – 3 PM daily (closed on Sundays)
Kaoh-Ken
Chef Higashikawa delivers an excellent selection of Western-style dishes, fused with Japanese high-quality ingredients and many years of culinary experience. This is the place to go if you’re looking for a proper sit-down dinner that brings out the best that both East and West have to offer. The wine menu beautifully completes the experience with a tempting selection.
The menu changes from time to time, but their must-try signature dishes include the olive steak and their Tonkatsu pork cutlet with miso sauce.
Open 6.30 PM – 9.30 PM daily (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Reservations recommended.
Hemp Heart (vegan)
A must for vegans or vegetarians looking for flavourful lunch and dining in Kotohira. This restaurant offers a wide selection of vegan food, including fresh pasta dishes and excellent vegan curries. From time to time, they also host live music performances on the second floor of the restaurant.
They are open every day from noon to 8 PM except on Thursdays. However, they tend to deviate from this schedule quite a bit, so it’s best to inquire in person!
It’s hard to imagine anyone getting tired of Japanese food, but in case you suddenly crave European fare, a visit to Con Tapas might be just the thing you need. This Spanish eatery serves up a delicious mix of tapas and Spanish dishes, including classics like gambas al ajillo, patatas bravas, and paella.
Food is made to order, so big groups should prepare for a long session. Better get a bottle of wine to do like the Spanish do, and prepare for a long evening of good food and company!
Open daily, from 11 AM – 3 PM and 6 PM – 9 PM (11 AM – 9 PM on Saturdays)
A good sushi place can not be omitted from a restaurant guide for Japan, of course! Kasuga Sushi is a traditional sushi restaurant that serves sushi, sashimi, miso soup, and other classic dishes in a unique setting, centered around an indoor garden. You can order food in set menus or a ‘chef’s choice’ menu.
If you’re looking for something authentic and more upscale than Kaiten-style conveyor belt sushi, you’re in the right place! Make sure to bring someone who speaks Japanese or be ready with your translator app, as the staff speak limited English.
Open daily from 12 AM – 2 PM and 5 PM – 10 PM (closed on Thursdays)
Discover our list of Cafes To Work From in Kotohira.
About the author
Roel is a travel writer and storyteller who has an allergy to all-inclusive resorts and a passion for wild places. He specializes in promoting off-the-beaten-path destinations and outdoor activities.