Various Cuisine Kotobuki

This restaurant boasts an outstanding location with views of Lake Shoji—even from inside. True to its name, “Various Cuisine,” it’s loved for its diverse menu and warm hospitality, remaining a local favorite for more than 40 years.

Made with plenty of local organic vegetables, the food is both authentic and varied, covering Japanese and Western dishes alike—rice bowls, noodles, pizza, pasta, and more. You’ll also find a solid lineup of drinks like coffee brewed from freshly ground beans, plus sweets such as cakes and parfaits. Top picks include Yamanashi specialties like hoto noodles and chicken offal stew, as well as venison-focused game dishes. Standouts include “Yakuzen Hoto,” packed with seven traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients such as Korean ginseng and goji berries, and “Deer Curry,” flavored with the restaurant’s special garam masala—both praised as delicious and healthy. Don’t miss the local Lake Shoji specialty, fried wakasagi (Japanese smelt), either.

In addition to indoor table seating, there’s also an outdoor terrace with parasols. The terrace is dog-friendly, making it a great choice if you’re traveling with your pup.