Best Restaurants in Nagano Prefecture
Nagano is famous for more than just mountains and snow—it’s packed with great food too. From fresh soba to sizzling yakitori, there’s plenty to try. Some places have been serving the same perfected recipes for generations, while others bring something new to the table. Whether you want a quick bite or a full-course meal, Nagano delivers. Let’s jump straight into the best places to eat.
1. La Rencontre
Address: Higashinomoncho, Nagano, Japan
Price: ¥2,000 – ¥10,000
Cuisine: French
Opening Hours: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
La Rencontre is a refined French restaurant that blends tradition and innovation in a beautifully restored 130-year-old house. The chef carefully selects seasonal Shinshu ingredients, presenting each dish with precision. Both lunch and dinner are served as multi-course experiences, highlighting authentic flavors. Table and counter seating offer views of a lush garden, where herbs and flowers used in the dishes are grown. If you appreciate elegant dining, this spot is worth a visit.
2. Tempura Maki
Address: 586-1 Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano 389-0102, Japan
Price: ¥250 – ¥4,000
Cuisine: Tempura
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Located near Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza, Tempura Maki serves crispy, perfectly fried dishes made with the freshest seasonal ingredients. The popular set meal features shrimp, squid, and vegetables like pumpkin and eggplant. Fish is delivered daily from Tsukiji Fish Market, ensuring top quality. With signature set meals like “Usui Touge” and “Karuizawa,” you’ll get a well-balanced selection of flavors. This is a great spot for both tempura lovers and first-timers.
3. Japanese Cuisine Shunka
Address: Higashimachi, Nagano 380-0831, Japan
Price: ¥5,000 – ¥10,000
Cuisine: Kaiseki
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Japanese Cuisine Shunka presents a sophisticated interpretation of kaiseki dining right inside the old Yokikan tower. Chef Nakamura creates exquisitely presented seasonal cuisine emphasizing Shinshu’s locally grown veggies and premium meats. With views of beautiful surroundings, private tatami rooms offer a peaceful area for one to appreciate the experience. For those who value modern Japanese cuisine with a classic flavor, this is ideal location.
4. Hikariya Nishi
Address: 4-chōme-7-14 Ōte, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0874, Japan
Price: ¥5,000 – ¥10,000
Cuisine: French, Macrobiotic
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Located in a restored 120-year-old warehouse, Hikariya Nishi uses macrobiotic ideas to elevate French cuisine. Having worked in top French restaurants, the chef creates meals that strike a mix of taste and health. One particularly good choice is the Etoile lunch course, which lets customers pick their main meal. Plated to seem like soil, the Harvest Vegetables dish emphasizes the restaurant’s close ties to the outdoors and locally grown food.
5. Pizza Verde Matsumoto
Address: 4-chōme-3 Ōte, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0874, Japan
Price: ¥400 – ¥3,500
Cuisine: Italian, Pizza
Opening Hours: 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Certified by the True Neapolitan Pizza Association, Pizza Verde Matsumoto offers real wood-fired pizzas created from well chosen ingredients. Acknowledged in international events, the Japanese chef brings Nagano flavours in line with Naples. A good dinner is made from the crispy but chewy crust together with traditional Italian toppings. For a complete dining experience, match your pizza to craft brews or Italian wines.
6. Sake to Soba Taihoku
Address: 4-chōme-7 Chūō, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0811, Japan
Price: ¥600 – ¥3,000
Cuisine: Soba, Japanese
Opening Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sake to Soba Taihoku is set in a beautifully restored historic storehouse, specializing in handmade soba. The fresh water of Azumino and locally grown flour help the noodles to have a rich taste and silky texture. Visitors can choose from several soba kinds together with a carefully chosen assortment of rare sake from nearby brewers. Should you enjoy soba, this is a must-see in Matsumoto.
7. Hikariya Higashi
Address: 4-chōme-7-14 Ōte, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-0874, Japan
Price: ¥5,000 – ¥20,000
Cuisine: Kaiseki
Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Set in a historic 1887 building, Hikariya Higashi focuses on seasonal kaiseki food. For important events, the restaurant is perfect since it combines modern elegance with legacy. Inspired by Matsumoto’s cultural background, conventional fusuma paintings improve the ambiance. The menu calls for well chosen sake, top fish, and fresh local veggies. Meals for special children are available, hence family get-togethers would be a perfect venue.
8. Cocktail Works Karuizawa
Address: Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano, Japan
Price: ¥1,000 – ¥5,000
Cuisine: Bar, Steak
Opening Hours: 12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Cocktail Works Karuizawa offers well made cocktails alongside first-rate cuisine made with locally grown ingredients. One of the best since it strikes a mix between tenderness and strong taste. The Shinshu Beef Lamb Steak Made with Nagano’s fresh apples and grapes, the seasonal cocktails give a distinctive local taste. The pleasant environment created by the antique-inspired décor is ideal for a laid-back evening featuring good food and beverages.
9. Bar KatsuHaru Karuizawa
Address: 809-3 Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano, Japan
Price: ¥700 – ¥4,000
Cuisine: Bar
Opening Hours: 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Located on Kyu-Karuizawa Ginza Dori, Bar KatsuHaru Karuizawa offers an impressive selection of over 500 bottles. Owned by award-winning bartender Mr. Miyazawa, it’s a must-visit for whiskey and cocktail lovers. Signature drinks include “Orchard Night,” a world competition-winning cocktail, and rare domestic whiskeys. Italian-inspired small plates, including grilled Shinshu beef, complement the drinks. This is a great place to unwind and explore high-quality spirits.
10. LOW-NON-BAR #RTS
Address: 813-4 Karuizawa, Kitasaku District, Nagano 389-0102, Japan
Price: ¥700 – ¥5,000
Cuisine: Bar, Italian
Opening Hours: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
In a chic, gallery-like environment, this creative bar, a sister location to Low-Non-BAR in Akihabara, Low-Non-BAR #RTS provides a combination of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails. Designed with a custom-made gin replacement, the famous “0% Gin & Tonic” delivers a real flavor free of alcohol. One of the best dishes, their Shinshu Beef Steak complements the unusual beverages. Those seeking something unique will find this to be a fantastic option.
Final Thoughts
Nagano has something for every foodie, from traditional soba to refined French cuisine. No matter your taste, there’s a spot for you. Check out more restaurant guides here on Jasumo.
