4 restaurants to visit in Akita and Yamagata to enjoy local ingredients. Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-Date: Apr 7, 2025

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

4 restaurants to visit in Akita and Yamagata to enjoy local ingredients.

Akita and Yamagata, nurtured by the rich nature of Tohoku, are treasure troves of gourmet food. Along with the beautiful scenery, tasting dishes that utilize local ingredients is one of the highlights of the journey. This time, resaurants will be introduced that visitors can enjoy carefully selected ingredients and definitely should visit while they are traveling to Akita and Yamagata.

1. [Yamagata] Yakiniku Senka Gyuriki

Located about 15 minutes by car from Yamagata Station, [Yakiniku Senka Gyuriki] is a yakiniku restaurant that can be enjoyed by a wide range of generations. Guests can savor carefully hand-cut Yamagata beef, locally sourced vegetables, and Yamagata-grown rice called "Tsuyahime." The "Yamagata Beef Rare Steak Yukhoe Style", featuring low-temperature cooked Yamagata beef thigh meat mixed with egg yolk and a special sauce, is a must-try dish. The "Yamagata Beef Premium Kalbi", which offers exquisite marbling and rich flavor, is also highly recommended.

5 restaurants to visit in Akita and Yamagata to enjoy local ingredients.

The restaurant has a spacious and bright interior, creating a relaxing atmosphere. In addition to table seating, there are also sunken kotatsu-style seats, which can be used as semi-private rooms with partitions. The affordable lunch options that allow guests to enjoy Yamagata beef and the courses that include all-you-can-drink options are also great highlights. Yamagata's local sake and prefectural wines are not to be missed.

Yakiniku Senka Gyuriki

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm) *Closed between 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm, [Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm) *No lunch menu on Sunday, National Holidays
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,440 JPY
Access: 15-minute drive from JR Yamagata Station. It is located across from Nitori Yamagata Minami Store, near AEON MALL Yamagata Minami.
Address: 1F, Game Plaza Be-in2, 1352-5, Maeakashi, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata

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2. [Yamagata] ZAO stand MY

ZAO stand MY is a cafe & bar where visitors can enjoy hearty dishes as well as drinks like sake and whiskey. The menu also features items that showcase Japanese culture, such as the "Wagyu Beef Shabu-Shabu Set" and "Direct Market Unaju".

The restaurant is located in Zao, where visitors can enjoy leisure activities such as hot springs and skiing. It is a convenient location, just a 3-minute walk from the Yamakko Bus Zao Terminal. The interior has a stylish and modern atmosphere. There are counter seats that are easy to use for solo diners, as well as table seats recommended for families and group travelers. Guests can relax and feel close to the majestic nature of Zao.

ZAO stand MY

Open: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from the Yamako Bus Zao Terminal
Address: 25, Zao Onsen, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata

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3. Bar JAPAN

Bar JAPAN provides an inviting space to explore the depth of Japanese craftsmanship through a curated selection of domestic beverages. The menu highlights local sake, particularly from Akita Prefecture, alongside craft beer, whiskey, and shochu. These drinks pair beautifully with a la carte dishes and desserts crafted from local ingredients, offering a true taste of Japan's terroir. With its eight-seat counter and standing area, the cafe-style interior transitions seamlessly from a quick early drink to a relaxed evening, welcoming both connoisseurs and first-time sake explorers.

Bar JAPAN

Open: [Monday, Wednesday-Friday] 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm [Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm *Cafe menu also available from 3:00 pm
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY
Access: 5-minute walk from Omagari Station on the Akita Shinkansen
Address: Maruroku Bldg. A-1, 9-8 Omagari Marunouchi-machi, Daisen-shi, Akita Map

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4. [Yamagata] Garakuta Saigen FACTORY Ekimae Kominkan

Located just a 3-minute walk from Yamagata Station, [Garakuta Saigen FACTORY Ekimae Kominkan] is a restaurant that offers a variety of dishes and a relaxing atmosphere. The restaurant features exquisite items that highlight the flavors of the ingredients, such as charcoal-grilled yakitori and Yamagata's local specialty, meat soba. The daily changing recommended menu is also not to be missed.

The restaurant has a calm and modern Japanese atmosphere, with counter seats on the first floor and tatami seating on the second and third floors. It is open until 8 AM, allowing guests to enjoy a leisurely meal after sightseeing. It is a place where guests can fully savor delicious food and drinks while spending a relaxed time.

Garakuta Saigen FACTORY Ekimae Kominkan

Open: 17:00 - 08:00
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from the east exit of Yamagata station, near HOTEL SUNROUTE
Address: 1-7-13, Kasumi-cho, Yamagata-shi, Yamagata Map
Reference source: Chinese only
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Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.

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