Gonsuke

There are two restaurants in this area of Takao or more correctly Takao-sanguchi - the last stop on the Keio Line out of Shinjuku- which are similar in what they have to offer, one is Ukai Toriyama and the other is Gonsuke. Ukai Toriyama you pay for the atmosphere primarily, not the food. Gonsuke ...though the emphasis is certainly on the food along with a MOST unique atmosphere definitely best experienced in the evening when it is dark and the flames are roaring in the beacon baskets and the corridors and outside paths to the cottages are all lit up most uniquely and oooh so pretty! The food is all primarily cooked by you and your friends over grilled charcoal which really gets hot so come dressed to strip off as the evening progresses. Also as it is grilled food don't wear your best suit, etc. dress down real low to casual. The menu is generally set menu stuff, several choices, but full course from starters all the way to desert including some delicious ice cream or super frozen lemon sherbet depending on the season, the former in winter the later spring through summer. You will definitely feel full at the end of the evening so don't have lunch any later than 1pm! The menu has basic ingredients depending on the set course But the good thing is the extra bits and pieces in-between like sashimi, the hot custard like chawan-mushi with mushrooms and shrimp change daily so there is A LOT more personal care put into the menu than Ukai-toriyama! The basic set menu you can see in the photos that Gonsuke provide at the top of this article. The menu though is ALL in Japanese, no hints with a few English words here and there! So if you are not to strong on your Japanese and you have certain food allergies do bring a friend who can translate. If you get really stuck though ask if the Ten-cho (the restaurant boss) is around as he's been in Aussie for several years and speaks English very well and has been working there for quite a few years! A suggestion price wise would be go for something slightly more expensive to get the full experience say around 6,000 to 7,000yen or a bit above that. Another absolute must is the beer served with literally ice still stuck to the glasses makes for a fabulous first "kampai" - cheers - and more there after! The restaurant's own Japanese sake is also good, and warmed in its unique bottle over the grill is very good! The alcohol prices are NOT outrageous so don't think you need to hold back!!! Seating - each set of customers is directed to their own personal rooms, if you're foreign then you might find it best to stay in the main building on the first/ground floor where you can stretch your legs down under the table or if you do want to go out to one of the cottages make sure to ask for the cottage where you can stretch your legs down under - there is only one! The other cottages have very low tables and if you are not used to sitting crossed leg or kneeling it may not be the best idea. Each year though they update one more cottage so by the time you go there maybe another cottage for long legged people has been reformed! Getting there, drive if you must, there is a new exit to the Ken-oh-do VERY nearby "Takao" and then two minutes drive once you get off the expressway. Otherwise take advantage of their free Gonsuke Bus service but call a day before to check the times from Takao-san-guchi station OR ask them to specially pick you and your group up but book this at least a day if not several days before AND THEN call on the day to remind them and then just as you get on the train to go there, they get busy sometimes and they just might forget you! Not always but sometimes! They will of course take you back after you have finished eating but just as you are on your last course best to ask when the next bus is going...if you are lucky and ask kindly they might take you all the way to Takao. Also if you are originally in the Hachioji/Takao area that day and you let them know about a week before they will come and pick you up from wherever you are...FREE! Highly recommend the place, if you are in Tokyo for only a few days and you have just got to have that real mystic Japanese meal out this is it and it won't bankrupt you! It is easy to get to from central Tokyo - Shinjuku - only about 90 minutes door to door if you get the bus service right!

Visited December 2014

If you cannot afford Ukai Toriyama THIS is the place. We go back here sometimes two or three times a month as the food is great and VERY reasonably priced. Not a place to go in the daytime but great at night, the slightly dark corridors are great. Don't go in your best clothes as you will come awa...y reeking of the grilled food. Best NOT to go out to the little cottages stay in the main building if you can. Take a Japanese friend with you or someone who speaks Japanese and knows the ropes.

Visited March 2012