Chef Takashi Igarashi is a culinary innovator known for his modern Japanese cuisine with an East-meets-West sensibility. He co-founded NR, a popular Japanese restaurant and cocktail bar in New York City, where he...
Hidatakayama Kyoya offers an authentic and nostalgic Japanese dining experience within a beautifully renovated 160-year-old traditional Japanese house (kominka). It is renowned for its Hida beef, particularly the Hoba Miso dish, where premium beef is grilled with miso on a magnolia leaf at the table. The restaurant provides a rustic ambiance, transporting diners to the Showa period.
Customers highly recommend Kyoya for its Hida beef Hoba Miso, praising its delicious flavor and the interactive grilling experience. Many appreciate the authentic, regional Japanese atmosphere, noting it feels less tourist-oriented. The restaurant is considered good value for money, with friendly staff, some of whom speak English. Diners should be prepared for traditional tatami seating. Reservations are often advised, especially during peak times, though some have been seated without one during lunch.
Additional Details
The restaurant has been operational since 1979 and is located in the older area of Takayama. They also offer home-made Choya (plum wine).
Reservations are advisable, particularly for dinner or during busy periods. Visiting for lunch on a weekday might offer a better chance of getting a table without a reservation.
Awards & Recognition
Tripadvisor Traveler Ranking
4
Went to this regional restaurant for dinner last night and really enjoyed the local atmosphere. It feels like a proper regional Japanese dining experience rather than something made for tourists. One thing to note is that you need to be comfortable sitting on the floor, which can become a little uncomfortable if you are there for an extended time.
We did not have a reservation, but it is probably advisable to book ahead, especially if other places around town are closed or busy. The menu itself is fairly easy to follow, although some of the regional dishes can be hard to understand if you are unfamiliar with them. Thankfully, the lovely people at the next table helped us choose a couple of dishes.
The standout was the miso beef cooked on a leaf at the table, absolutely delicious with great depth of flavour. I also had the chicken schnitzel set made with chicken thigh, which was juicy, well seasoned and very satisfying. We also tried a beef rice dish with a radish salad which was simple and comforting. Overall, very good value for money.
The local beer was also excellent, slightly on the darker side with great flavour, although it would have been even better served colder. Service was fine, nothing particularly memorable but efficient enough. Overall, a very authentic local dining experience with honest food and good value.
We made reservation for this which was quite welknown restaurant. Luckily, the place was almost full when we arrived. The staff were nice and friendly. We ordered special dish , Hida beef with miso on Hoba leave and other dishes like salad, sashimi, grilled beef, Takayama special set with Ayu fish. All of the dishes were very tasty and the staff also came to prepare Hida beef with miso on Hoba leave for us. It was very nice experience. The atmosphere was very nice as if we were in Showa period. Overall, the price was right and more than worth for every thing here, food, service, atmosphere. Highly recommended.
Chance upon an article about Hoba Miso and Kyoya while planning the trip to Takayama. After a walk around the morning market we stop by at Kyoya for lunch and was able to get seated immediately. The atmosphere is quite rustic and nostalgic. Needless to say our main target was the grilled Hoba Miso. We ordered a set with beef and the other vegetable only. Both were grilled at the table for us by the staff which was a wonderful experience with the aroma of the miso floating around the table. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Hida Takayama.
We stopped by here around 12pm on a weekday without a reservation and got a table with no wait. He ordered the beef set and I tried the shrimp katsu set.
The food was just ok and nothing really memorable. He mentioned the beef was good, but the sauce was a bit too strong even with the rice. My katsu was also just okay—the shrimp felt a little overcooked and hard, though it was definitely fresh. Overall, an okay experience but probably wouldn't be my first choice.
This place has been around since 1979 and is found in the older area of Takayama. We wanted to try the hida miso beef which is beef grilled on a Magnolia leave on a hot stone and so we came here.
We were warmly welcomed by the staff who also spoke English. The place is traditional, so we sat on the tatami. We ordered the set that had both the beef on hot stone as well as on the charcoal grill and it was really good.
They also have home-made Choya which added to the treat. Definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for authentic flavours and experience.
