Sonmin-Shokudo (Karuizawa)

Karuizawa, often referred to as the “Beautiful Village” in the works of novelist Tatsuo Hori, is home to Sonmin-Shokudo, a restaurant produced by Hoshino Resorts. Its concept is “a casual dining spot that warmly welcomes visitors to this beautiful village of Karuizawa with delicious meals.”

The restaurant’s charm lies in its approachable style, serving dishes made with plenty of fresh, seasonal ingredients from Shinshu. At lunchtime, set meals are the main offering, while in the evening, à la carte dishes paired with local Shinshu sake are highly recommended. A popular choice is the Shinshu Irodori Gozen, a set featuring around eight small plates, including Shinshu salmon and mushrooms, with the selection changing seasonally to highlight the best flavors of the region. Other favorites include hearty local specialties like the Miso Sanzoku-yaki Teishoku-a dish of large pieces of chicken deep-fried in bold, flavorful style.

For special occasions, guests can also reserve a private horigotatsu room for six to ten people, where course-style meals are served.