Iwaya

It’s not the easiest to find but worth the drive if you staying at Tamba Sasayama area. The hotpot is done and eaten in very traditional Japanese way. The boar is the must eat in Sasayama and Tamba areas too. Food is so cultural and local and the 2 ladies were really nice and we communicated in a mi...x of broken Japanese and broken English but it was all fun.

Visited November 2019

Driving up there is a wonderful garden leading down the hill, which in spring is sure to be fabulous and full of blooms. The country Inn looks like a picture postcard, with a stuffed wild boar at the front door. The inside has floor seating arranged around firepits with hooks over them to hang the... hotpot from. There were low chairs available for those of us that could not sit on mats on the floor for the entire meal, many Japanese made use of the chairs too. The hot pot, Nabemone or Nabe, has you adding vegetables to the pot and dropping in the slices of wild boar to eat now and then through out the meal. It's best if one person handles the cooking and serving. The restaurant staff is more than willing to instruct on how to do this. Just ask. The beer was cold and good. The sake when left near the fire pit was hot which may explain why hot sake was more common in Japan in the past. The wild boar could have been cut a little thinner but it was really tasty. The vegetables and broth were very good. Overall meal was just outstanding. And the stroll through the blossoms in the garden after the meal was a perfect finish.

Visited March 2016

actually, been there only once and it was 3 yrs ago, and longing to go back but we cant get a reservation for its always fully booked but this yr we finally hit the best timing to call for a seat and got it!! best time of the yr is winter for the wild boar is fresh (meaning: not frozen). and the vie...w, (check the internet and see for yourself). finally about the food, i recommended the place to my colleages and voila! they highly appreciated it!!

Visited December 2015

My wife and I spent the day in Sasayama shopping for pottery. We didn't have a plan for dinner but ended up at Iwaya as it was highly recommended by Trip Advisor. So glad we took the time to drive here!! My only regret is that we were driving and unable to enjoy sake with our meal. The restauran...t was such a cool experience, food was delicious, and the view across the mountains was breathtaking.

Visited September 2015

This is my 2nd visit to Iwaya. This idyllic traditional Japan charcoal restaurant carries a simple and yet delicious menu. All the ingredients are sourced locally from Hyogo, I believe they even raise chickens on this mountain side property. Last winter visit we had and amazing nabe over charcoal. ...This summer visit we ordered BBQ with The most tender Hyogo beef, chicken and fresh shiitake finished with country style rice and miso soup. There aren't any tables, guest sits on the floor close to the charcoal pit. This is one of my favorite dinning experiences in Hyogo to date, not cheap but worth the time and money. For directions and more info : http://www.iwaya-yosaku.com

Visited July 2015