Daikokuya (Kinosaki Onsen)

Located on a street lined with eateries and souvenir shops near JR Kinosaki Onsen Station, Daikokuya, founded as a udon noodle shop during the Taisho era (1912-1926), has become a popular spot frequently featured in TV programs and magazines for its signature crab sushi.

There is a wide variety of crab sushi options, such as nigiri, chirashi, and box sushi. The restaurant uses only the leg meat of the red snow crab "Kasumi Gani," caught at Kasumi Port in Hyogo Prefecture, which offers a delightful, plump texture and rich flavor. During the crab fishing ban in July and August, the restaurant uses crabs from the Hokuriku region. Sushi can be taken out as souvenirs or bento boxes, and advance reservations are recommended. Other popular dishes include crab-topped soba and udon noodles, and "kani-don," a rice bowl with crab meat and crab miso sauce.

The udon and soba noodles are served with a delicious broth, maintaining the taste and quality since the restaurant's founding. The menu also offers a wide variety of other dishes, including rice bowls and sushi. The family-run shop has a cozy, at-home atmosphere, making it a great spot to visit before or after exploring Kinosaki.