Lunch in Nikko
Food is an important part of our travels, very important and its the one thing that hubby is in charge of discovering and finding when we go on our adventures. This trip to Nikko we had a couple lunches and dinners to enjoy out in the local area. Small, family run restaurants that were indeed all highlights. So if you visit Nikko make sure to stop by these places for lunch.
SANTEN AMATARO 三天甘太郎
When one is in Nikko, one should always eat some Yuba (tofu skin) as the region is renown for it, which we were utterly delighted about, for both hubby and I adore eating Yuba.
Run by an elderly gentleman, its only open during the day time so make sure to make some time for it, and lunch is a perfect opportunity. One can also enjoy traditional sweets & matcha there which are well received, but honestly what you want is either the “Yubajyu Set” 1300JPY (which is what hubby had - center photo below), a yuba upon rice teishoku set with a tasty clear broth and pickles or the “Yuba Udon” 900JPY which is what I chose with delicious chewy udon. Both were absolute star dishes and would have gladly eaten it multiple times.
NOTE: Originally Santen Amataro was located quite centrally, a few mins walk from the station, but after a quick google map search, the gentleman has moved his restaurant to a sweet little spot riverside along the road to the Kanmangafuchi abyss (now a 37min walk or a 12min bus ride - so still accessible) OPEN: 10AM - 5PM | CLOSED: WEDNESDAYS
YUBA GOZEN SUN FIELD
Lying halfway between Toshogu Jinja and Nikko station (20min walk either side, 40mins walk total from Nikko - Yuba Gozen - Toshogu) is this wonderful, small family run restaurant which specialises in Yuba teishoku sets. For those who love Yuba or want to try an array of dishes with yuba styled/prepared/cooked differently - this is a must to visit. WE LOVED IT!
The teishoku sets change seasonally but you can be sure Yuba is still the star. Teishoku sets start from 2200JPY (at the time of writing), however if you’re getting drinks and perhaps some other side dishes, budget for 3000-4000JPY per person.
OPEN: 11AM - 5PM | CLOSED: THURSDAYS
GYOZA NO UMECHAN
Another darling family run restaurant which is also adored by the locals and visitors alike; Gyoza no Umechan is perfect for those who need their ramen and gyoza fix. Hearty bowls of ramen with succulent cuts of Char Siu, chewy bouncy ramen noodles, perfectly cooked ramen eggs, with a variety of styles will find most individuals wanting to return again to try a different version.
Make sure to order some of their homemade gyoza, plump, packed full of ingredients, perfectly charred across one side; one can choose from their signature “umechan giant gyoza”, their “nikko yuba gyoza” or their “ginger green gyoza”. Hubby and I of course ordered all three and they did not disappoint. I’m not such a big ramen eater but it was a great bowl of ramen and hubby was more than happy to finish what I couldn’t. Budget around 1500 - 2500JPY per person depending on how many dishes you order (not including drinks).
OPEN: NOON - 2.30 PM | CLOSED: MONDAYS
ACCESS TO TOBU & JR NIKKO STATION
BY TRAIN
FROM TOBU ASAKUSA STATION | approx 2-3 hrs | COST: ~1400 - 3340JPY OW (local/expresses)
FROM SHINJUKU STATION | approx 2hrs | COST4090JPY OW | limited express train
TO GET TO THE TEMPLES & SHRINES
as all the temples & shrines are around each other, one can walk to them in roughly ~30-40mins
otherwise a local bus takes 10mins (350JPY OW)
