"Kaiseki in an 1895 imperial villa inside Hakone's historic Fujiya Hotel: ginger-grilled butterfish, Soshu beef, and a garden view worth the journey."
About Kikka-So
Kikka-So is the traditional Japanese restaurant of the Fujiya Hotel in Miyanoshita, Hakone, one of the oldest Western-style hotels in Japan, established in 1878. The dining room occupies a villa built in 1895 as a private retreat for the Imperial Family, set in its own garden, and is distinct from the hotel's French Main Dining Room.
The setting, more than a century of imperial history wrapped around a kaiseki kitchen, is the reason to come. For the wider field see the Hakone dining guide and other Japanese tables.
The Kitchen
The kitchen serves seasonal kaiseki that tracks the Japanese calendar. The full course features dishes such as delicate Japanese butterfish grilled with ginger and succulent Soshu beef sirloin, with vegetarian courses, grilled eggplant, radish cake, matsutake mushrooms and a teapot broth, offered alongside. A two-tiered lunch box is the lighter, daytime way in.
Dinner runs roughly 20,000 to 30,000 yen per person, with the lunch set markedly cheaper, and the room's garden views are part of the meal. See more of the region's tasting-menu rooms.
The Room
The villa is all tranquil garden views and traditional architecture, and the restraint of the space is the point: window seats look onto the famous Fujiya garden, and the mood is quiet and contemplative. It is a destination for travellers staying in or passing through Hakone, a hot-spring town two hours from Tokyo, rather than a casual local stop. Reserve ahead, especially for dinner.
What to Order
Take the full kaiseki course at dinner for the ginger-grilled butterfish and Soshu beef, or come at lunch for the two-tiered box if you want the setting at a lower price. Vegetarian kaiseki is available with notice. Pair the journey with a night at the Fujiya Hotel. For more, see the Japanese fine-dining selection.
Best for a Proposal or Milestone
Kikka-So suits a proposal or a landmark anniversary: an 1895 imperial villa, a seasonal kaiseki menu and a garden view, the kind of setting that makes the evening the occasion. See more proposal tables and the Hakone dining guide.
Not for
Not for a quick or casual meal: Kikka-So is a destination kaiseki room inside a historic hotel, best reached as part of a Hakone stay, and dinner is a slow, multi-course evening priced to match.
Frequently Asked
What is Kikka-So at the Fujiya Hotel?
Kikka-So is the traditional Japanese kaiseki restaurant of the Fujiya Hotel in Miyanoshita, Hakone. The dining room sits in a villa built in 1895 as a private retreat for the Imperial Family, set in its own garden. The Fujiya Hotel itself dates to 1878 and is one of the oldest Western-style hotels in Japan. Kikka-So is separate from the hotel's French Main Dining Room.
Where is Kikka-So located?
Kikka-So is inside the Fujiya Hotel at 359 Miyanoshita, Hakone, in Kanagawa Prefecture, about a seven-minute walk from Miyanoshita Station and roughly two hours from central Tokyo. Hakone is a hot-spring resort town, and the restaurant is best reached as part of a stay or a day trip. Reservations are recommended, particularly for the evening kaiseki service.
How much does dinner at Kikka-So cost?
The full kaiseki dinner runs roughly 20,000 to 30,000 yen per person, while the daytime two-tiered lunch box is considerably cheaper, in the region of 5,000 to 8,000 yen. Prices shift with the season and the menu, and vegetarian kaiseki can be arranged with notice. The garden setting and the historic villa are part of what you are paying for.
What do you eat at Kikka-So?
Kikka-So serves seasonal kaiseki that follows the Japanese calendar. Signature courses include Japanese butterfish grilled with ginger and Soshu beef sirloin, with vegetarian options such as grilled eggplant, radish cake, matsutake mushrooms and a teapot-steamed broth. The full course is the evening format, while a two-tiered box highlights classic Japanese cooking at lunch.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Kikka-So
Via fujiyahotel.net - Miyanoshita
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressFujiya Hotel, 359 Miyanoshita, Hakone
NeighbourhoodMiyanoshita
CuisineKaiseki / traditional Japanese
SignatureGinger-grilled butterfish; Soshu beef
PriceDinner about 20,000 to 30,000 yen
SettingVilla built 1895
HotelFujiya Hotel, established 1878
