Minamiboso, Chiba, Japan｜Hidden Yashiki Tenzen

Visited this ‘hidden’ Japanese restaurant for a number of times. Never disappointed. Cozy room and very Japanese decorations. Autumn appetizers are fresh and tasty. Charcoal grill skewers especially pork one is always the winner. Won’t hesitate to come back for the next time.

Getting to this restaurant is a scenic trek into the forested mountains of Chiba. Once you get inside the rustic Japanese house, which looks like a samurai's vacation home, it's fun to look at the large wooden pillars and tamami-matted floors while enjoying your meal. We had charcoal-grilled skewers of beef, mushrooms, peppers, pork, scallops, and lobster. They also have wild boar meat, venison, and other game dishes on the menu for visitors who want a taste of living in Chiba's countryside. I recommend it. Also, they have hand-made sake and soft drinks made from local ingredients. Taking a stroll around the charming house afterward felt like a little afternoon adventure.

Very good food in an old house. We had a room for ourselves. We splurged but it was worth it (13,000 for 2). The owner and his wife are VERY friendly, and the owner spent time to explain the menu and offered hints on how to cook the food. Not really a place to repeat but we will maybe in 2 years. It's a little difficult to get there but worth the effort.