Breakfast at Mikuriya in Karuizawa
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I went to Karuizawa in mid-September. Shortly after we arrived, we were driving around a bit when we spotted what looked like a restaurant, so we stopped by. It was called Kamado-taki Gohan Mikuriya, and we thought we’d have a slightly late lunch there. But it was fully booked, and we couldn’t get a table that day. Still, the simmered tofu, grilled salmon, and pot-cooked rice on the menu looked so tempting that we just couldn’t give up.
* Information as of September 2026.
A Popular Spot That’s Always Fully Booked
I stayed in Karuizawa for about three days in mid-September. According to Japan Meteorological Agency records, the average daily temperature in Karuizawa in mid-September 2026 was 17.3℃. It felt a little cool for the time of year.
When I went to the restaurant on day one, it was fully booked for the day, so I couldn’t eat there. I was bummed.
The restaurant’s official website says reservations for the entire following month open around 3 p.m. on the 15th of each month. We didn’t know about this reservation system and just showed up. We booked breakfast for the next morning that same day and managed to get a spot with just a day’s notice. We got lucky.
On the second morning, I headed back for another try, right on time for my reservation.
A Comforting Breakfast on the Terrace
The grilled salmon came with grated daikon, and there were kinpira and pickles on the side. The soup was pork miso soup. The set meal was pretty easy on the stomach. There was also another set on the menu with a plate of miso-simmered mackerel and tempura in place of the grilled salmon and grated yam.
The restaurant’s official website says the rice is cooked in a wood-fired kamado stove. The grains were nice and distinct, and the rice tasted great. It’s served in a wooden rice tub. I sat outside on the terrace, where I could soak up some morning serotonin. There’s a solid roof overhead, too, so it might be possible to eat out there even in light rain.
The Restaurant Is Over on the Left Side of Karuizawa
On the map, Hotchi Ichiba is north-northwest of the restaurant, and Lake Happu is south-southeast.
Wrapping Up
Eating breakfast in the cool morning breeze, I could really appreciate the warmth of Japanese cooking. I was happy to find a hidden gem of a restaurant in Karuizawa. Making this many side dishes and a proper one-soup, three-sides meal myself always feels like too much of a hassle, so my days had been mostly rice and meat. For my stomach, this breakfast was pure bliss. I was hungry, but with the restaurant right in front of me, I put myself through the ordeal of holding out until the next day. I’d be glad if sharing this post helps you avoid making the same mistake I did.