Today, I went to lunch with a friend at Chaya Usaburo, a super popular restaurant in Nasu District, Tochigi Prefecture. While the restaurant opens at 11:00 AM, a sign is placed in front of the restaurant from 10:00 AM, where you fill out a form and wait (advance reservations are not accepted). Thanks to my friend's early arrival and the fact that she filled it out, we were the fourth in line to be called in! Over 30 people were waiting before the restaurant opened, and the staff informed us that anyone arriving around 12:30 would have to wait an hour and a half. 😵 This time, we ordered the "Pokopen Zen" and "Onago Zen" meals, along with individual a la carte dishes of bean paste mochi and kinako mochi. Usaburo's carefully crafted country cuisine evokes a nostalgic taste, and every dish was delicious, especially the simmered dishes. The flavors left us wanting to return immediately, and we were completely satisfied. ⭐️
There's a waiting board, so you sign up and wait to be called.
It's a good idea to sign up at the beginning, as there are often long queues.
Even though it was a weekday (Monday), there was quite a wait. (´･ω･`)
It took a while (just over an hour) to be called, but the food was served quickly after ordering!
Everything was delicious, but I particularly liked the taste of the kenchin udon (the udon noodles were thin, which I like), so I think I'll make it my main dish next time I visit. (๑´ڡ`๑)
On Saturday, we were the 12th group there, 40 minutes before opening.
You can write on the waiting board from about an hour before opening ♫ Reservations are not possible.
The restaurant is set in an old house, giving it the atmosphere of a rural grandma's house ♫
It matches the food very well ♡ It makes you feel nostalgic.
The menu is detailed on the website. Seasonal menus are also introduced, so it's a good idea to check it out before visiting.
They also have an Instagram account.
I wanted to eat both okowa and mochi, so I ordered the Anpontan set. Instead of seasonal okowa, I asked them to change it to gomoku okowa ♪ The dessert was supposed to be warabi mochi, but it was brown sugar warabi mochi.
The kenchinjiru soup was full of flavor, the chewy okowa, and the soft mochi were all very delicious! The stew was full of flavor ♡
I finished everything, and it was a pretty voluminous set. Even if you can't finish it, there are free takeaway packs available, so don't worry.
I was thinking of buying some manju from the menu to take home, but I was surprised at how big they were! I wanted to buy four, but two was enough!
PayPay is available♫
The staff was kind and polite.
I was full and very satisfied♪
I'll come back in a different season.
Thank you for the meal!
Although it was the middle of Golden Week, I was able to enter my name an hour before the store opened and was able to enter the store for the first time, probably because it was a weekday. However, the parking lot was full and many people were waiting.
I had a konkorozen set full of freshly made rice cakes. There are two types of mochi: red bean paste and soybean flour, and the soybean flour was especially delicious. Kenchinjiru also contains one large mochi, which I think is enough to satisfy even men.
There are various souvenirs near the cash register, which are also fun to look at.
Chaya Usaburo specializes in traditional Japanese countryside cuisine featuring seasonal dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients. The restaurant is particularly known for its premium rice and authentic farm-to-table approach that reflects the agricultural heritage of the Tochigi region. The menu changes seasonally to showcase the best local produce available throughout the year.
Chaya Usaburo is located in Nasu-machi, Nasu District, Tochigi Prefecture, approximately 150 kilometers north of Tokyo. The restaurant can be reached by taking a train to nearby stations in the Nasu area, followed by local bus services or taxi transport. Due to its rural location, having transportation arrangements planned in advance is recommended.
Yes, reservations are strongly recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons when the Nasu region attracts many visitors for its hot springs and natural attractions. The restaurant's high rating and limited seating in the countryside setting make advance booking essential to ensure availability.
Chaya Usaburo ranks #6 out of 231 restaurants in Nasu-machi with a 4.3 out of 5 rating, making it one of the area's top dining destinations. The restaurant offers an authentic experience of Japanese rural dining culture in a traditional setting, maintaining the atmosphere and culinary practices that have sustained rural Japanese communities for generations.
Yes, Chaya Usaburo provides an excellent cultural dining experience for international visitors seeking authentic Japanese countryside cuisine. The restaurant operates as a non-smoking establishment, ensuring a comfortable environment for all guests. However, visitors should be prepared for traditional Japanese dining customs and may want to familiarize themselves with basic dining etiquette beforehand.
