I’m a local Japanese living near Lake Kawaguchiko, and in this article I’ll share some of the restaurants and cafés I’ve personally visited and recommend. These are places I actually tried myself, so you’ll get an honest review rather than just another list of tourist spots.
Whether you’re looking for a hearty lunch or dinner, or a cozy cafe to enjoy breakfast and coffee in the morning, this guide will help you discover where locals really eat. Exploring food is one of the best ways to experience Kawaguchiko beyond sightseeing, and I hope my experiences will make your trip here even more memorable.
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Eating Like a Local in Kawaguchiko
Why I Love Exploring Local Restaurants
Living near Mt. Fuji, I’ve learned that one of the best ways to experience this area is through its food. While many visitors head straight to the famous sightseeing spots, I find myself drawn to the smaller, local restaurants. They’re not only more affordable, but they also give you a real taste of how people here eat every day.
Trying different restaurants around Kawaguchiko Station has become one of my favorite routines. Each place has its own character – from family-run shops that have been here for decades, to newer cafés that are slowly becoming local favorites. Eating in these spots makes me feel more connected to the town than just visiting tourist attractions.
Beyond Tourist Spots – Finding Real Local Favorites
Kawaguchiko is filled with tourist-oriented restaurants, and while some are nice, they often feel busy and a little too commercial. Locals, on the other hand, usually go to smaller places tucked away near the station or in side streets.
When I travel or even on my days off here, I always look for where the locals actually eat. That’s how I discovered places like Gyukatsu Koshūya for a hearty beef cutlet lunch, and Café DINA for a relaxed morning coffee. They don’t appear in every travel guide, but they’re the kind of spots that give you a more authentic experience of Kawaguchiko life.
If you’re curious about other famous dishes in Yamanashi beyond Kawaguchiko, check out my guide to 6 local foods you should try when visiting Japan’s Mt. Fuji area.
Gyukatsu Koshūya – A Beef Cutlet Specialty Near Kawaguchiko Station
First Impressions and Atmosphere
The restaurant has a clean, modern interior with plenty of space. In the back, there’s even a tatami-style seating area, which makes it comfortable for families with small children. When I visited, there were some Japanese customers, but the atmosphere was mostly lively with international travelers – it’s clearly a popular spot among foreign visitors.
What I Ordered and My Honest Taste Review
The main menu is, of course, gyukatsu (beef cutlet), and you can choose the size anywhere from 50g to 200g depending on your appetite. Along with the cutlet set, there are side dishes, soft drinks, and even alcoholic beverages. Almost everyone orders gyukatsu here, and the style is to simply pick the portion size that suits you best.
The beef cutlet I ordered was crispy on the outside yet juicy inside, and it felt lighter than tonkatsu (pork cutlet). It came with rice, miso soup, and a few small sides, making it a filling but well-balanced meal.
One thing to note is the parking lot right in front of the restaurant. It costs ¥500 per 30 minutes, which can feel expensive by Japanese standards. Since you’re unlikely to finish a meal in under 30 minutes, expect to spend at least ¥1,000 if you park there. A better option is to use the free parking lots along Lake Kawaguchiko, about a 10-minute walk away.
For international travelers, this place is easy to visit: some of the staff are non-Japanese and can speak English, and the menu is fully available in English. That’s probably why so many foreign visitors feel comfortable dining here.
Payment is flexible – both cash and major credit cards are accepted. However, be prepared for crowds. Around lunchtime (12:00–13:00), the restaurant can get busy, especially on weekends and public holidays, and you may need to wait for a table. If you want to avoid waiting, visiting on a weekday is highly recommended. I went on a weekday just after 1:00 pm and was able to get in smoothly without waiting, although the restaurant was already full with other customers.
Cafe DINA – A Cozy Cafe With a Local Vibe
Why I Decided to Visit Café DINA
While walking around Kawaguchiko in the morning, I was looking for a place to have breakfast. Around the lake, there aren’t many cafés that open early, but I noticed Café DINA, which starts serving from 9:00 am. The signboard and exterior caught my attention, so I decided to step inside.
Interestingly, this café isn’t run by Japanese owners – it’s operated by people from El Salvador, which immediately gave it a unique and international atmosphere compared to typical local cafés.
Drinks, Food, and the Atmosphere (My Personal Review)
If you’re looking for a “traditional Japanese” experience, this café might not be for you. But if you want to enjoy a relaxing morning with coffee, pancakes, or fresh bread while sitting in a cozy space, this is a great spot.
The café has a calm and welcoming vibe, and its location makes it easy to access both from Kawaguchiko Station and the lake area. I really enjoyed sipping coffee while watching the quiet morning outside – it felt like a refreshing start to the day.
What Makes It Different from Typical Tourist Cafes
Most visitors to Kawaguchiko choose cafes or restaurants that highlight Japanese culture. Cafe DINA is different: it feels like a slice of El Salvador in Japan, with a slightly American-style cafe vibe.
The food and drinks were tasty, the staff were friendly and warm, and of course, English was no problem at all. That makes this cafe especially comfortable for international travelers who want a break from the usual tourist-oriented spots.
For something a little different from the usual cafés and restaurants, I also tried a venison burger at DEAR DEER, a spot near Mt. Fuji that serves local gibier cuisine.
Comparing My Two Experiences
When You Want a Filling Meal → Gyukatsu Koshūya
If you’re looking for a hearty lunch or dinner around Kawaguchiko, Gyukatsu Koshūya is my top recommendation. Their beef cutlet is crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and gives you a true taste of Japanese gyukatsu. For meat lovers, it’s a must-try meal, and you’ll definitely feel the high quality that Japanese cuisine is known for.
When You Want to Relax with Coffee → Cafe DINA
If you’re searching for a cafe near Kawaguchiko Station or the lakeside where you can enjoy a morning meal, Cafe DINA is a great choice. The atmosphere is calm and relaxing, perfect for starting the day slowly with coffee and breakfast.
It’s also a nice option for travelers who don’t necessarily want Japanese food every meal. Here, you can enjoy pancakes, bread, and other American-style dishes in a cozy space with a friendly, international vibe.
Why Both Are Worth Trying on a Kawaguchiko Trip
Just because you’re traveling in Japan doesn’t mean you have to eat Japanese food all the time. In fact, part of the fun is discovering the variety of international restaurants you can find here – from Indian curry and Korean barbecue to places like Café DINA, which brings a taste of El Salvador and American café culture to Kawaguchiko.
By trying both local specialties like gyukatsu and international flavors, you can enjoy a more diverse and memorable food experience during your trip.
Final Thoughts – My Favorite Food Experiences in Kawaguchiko
Looking back on my meals at Gyukatsu Koshūya and Café DINA, I realized how much food can shape the way you experience Kawaguchiko. Having beef cutlet for lunch gave me a real taste of Japanese comfort food in a lively, popular restaurant, while starting my morning at a cozy café with coffee and pancakes showed me another, more international side of the town.
Both experiences were memorable in different ways. One was filling and deeply Japanese, the other relaxing and refreshingly different. Together, they reminded me that exploring local restaurants – whether traditional or international – adds so much more flavor to a trip than just sticking to sightseeing.
💡 My Tip: If you’re visiting Kawaguchiko, take time to enjoy not only the lake and Mt. Fuji views but also the food culture around the station. Whether you’re a meat lover or a café hopper, you’ll find something that makes your trip even more enjoyable.
If you want to try local Japanese curry in Fujiyoshida, which is close to Lake Kawaguchi, check out this article!
👉 Local Curry in Fujiyoshida: A Hidden Spot for Flavorful Japanese Comfort Food
