Discover Sengenchaya Honten: Authentic Yamanashi Hōtō Noodles Near Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine
Mount Fuji, boasting Japan's highest peak, stands as a symbolic icon of the country. During the mountain climbing season, it's known as a popular tourist destination that attracts many visitors from both within Japan and overseas. The natural surroundings of Mount Fuji are also appealing, offering seasonal experiences through its lakes and seasonal flowers throughout the year.
Local delicacies that utilize ingredients and traditional cuisine blessed by Mount Fuji's environment are also popular among visitors. From these, we're highlighting "Hōtō," a local specialty of Yamanashi Prefecture. Let us introduce you to "Sengenchaya Honten," a hōtō restaurant beloved by locals.
Sengenchaya Honten: A Locally-Beloved Restaurant Serving Yamanashi's Famous Hōtō
Located next to the tourist-bustling Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Jinja Shrine, Sengenchaya Honten is a popular restaurant known for its exquisite hōtō. Passing through the traditional-style gate, you'll find a beautiful garden that offers an authentic Japanese atmosphere. The dog terrace seating area is popular among locals as it allows them to enjoy their meal leisurely with their canine companions.
Besides various types of hōtō, you can also try Fujiyoshida City's specialties such as "Yoshida Udon" and "Chicken Giblet Stew" among other side dishes.
We'll introduce you to the owner's particular approach and recommended menu items, so please check them out!
What is Hōtō?
"Hōtō" is a local dish from Yamanashi Prefecture that consists of flat noodles made from wheat flour, simmered together with vegetables and meat. It has been eaten as a staple food since ancient times in mountainous areas where rice cultivation was difficult.
Typically served in a hot miso-based soup, it includes ingredients such as pumpkin, daikon radish, potatoes, shiitake mushrooms, and deep-fried tofu. Some versions may include seasonal vegetables or local specialties, and many households have their own unique variations.
One of its appealing points is that it's highly nutritious, providing plenty of vegetables and meat in a single bowl. Hōtō is a traditional dish loved by locals, particularly craved during the cold seasons as it warms you from the inside out.
Why is Sengenchaya Honten so popular? Introducing their commitment to flavor and why locals love it
A unique soup created through the chef's trial and error
Source:Official website
The hōtō at "Sengenchaya Honten" is renowned for its chef's special soup. The rich broth, carefully made from dried sardines, dried shiitake mushrooms, seafood, and pork, elevates this "local dish" into an "exquisite dining experience."
The basic miso-based soup is characterized by its deep miso richness while maintaining a clean taste. Since the miso doesn't overpower and the broth's umami shines through, you can fully enjoy the natural flavors of the vegetables, meat, and other ingredients.
The refined soup flavor that makes you want to come back for more is the secret behind its long-standing popularity among locals.
The chef tastes 3-4 bowls before opening, adjusting the noodles and broth according to the day's climate and temperature
The signature soup isn't made with the exact same recipe every day. To maintain the delicate soup's quality, they adjust the balance of broth and seasonings based on factors like the weather and temperature.
To ensure customer satisfaction, the chef personally tastes 3-4 bowls before opening each day. This thorough dedication to the soup forms the foundation of Sengenchaya Honten's exceptional hōtō and maintains its reputation for "being delicious every time."
Expertly crafted noodles by skilled artisans
Source:Official website
Outstanding soup deserves outstanding noodles. At Sengenchaya Honten, they age their noodles for 1-2 days after making them to enhance their texture and flavor. The aged noodles are characterized by their firm texture and satisfying bite.
The chewy texture of the slightly firm hōtō noodles creates a perfect harmony when combined with the flavorful broth.
Making noodles from the hardened aged dough is considered physically demanding work that requires specific techniques and skills.
At Sengenchaya Honten, the former executive chef of Hotel Kaneyamaen, who oversees all menu items, is in charge of making the noodles.
Finest ingredients selected through years of experience
Source:Official website
Sengenchaya Honten's hōtō is also particular about its ingredients. The chef selects the finest ingredients using expertise developed through years as a Japanese cuisine chef.
The chef's skill in selecting pumpkins, an essential ingredient in hōtō, is particularly masterful. They carefully choose the sweetest and most delicious pumpkins daily, considering factors like origin and season.
By using the best ingredients at their peak condition each day, they can serve customers the perfect bowl every time.
4 Recommended Menu Items at Sengenchaya Honten
Yamanashi Sanroku Pork Houtou
Source:Official website
For those craving a hearty houtou, why not try the "Pork Houtou" made with Yamanashi Sanroku Pork, a local brand from Yamanashi Prefecture? Yamanashi Sanroku Pork is known for its juicy, tender texture and rich umami flavor.
The miso-based soup is infused with the sweetness of high-quality pork fat and vegetable umami. Generous portions of thick-cut pork belly make this dish extremely satisfying.
It's also great that you can get both meat and vegetables in one dish for a well-balanced meal. Enjoy this exquisite houtou featuring a premium pork brand that can only be found in Yamanashi!
Koshu Beef Kalbi Houtou
Source:Official website
The "Koshu Beef Kalbi Houtou" is a popular dish that lets you enjoy both houtou and grilled meat at once.
Koshu Beef is Yamanashi's pride - a premium beef brand known for its melt-in-your-mouth texture even after cooking and its flavorful marbled fat.
The houtou comes with Chinese cabbage, pumpkin, mushrooms, and daikon, topped with kalbi (short ribs) grilled in a special sauce. Unlike regular meat houtou, the beef isn't simmered with other ingredients - this is what makes it special. You can fully enjoy the aromatic grilled flavor of the kalbi.
The grilled Koshu Beef Kalbi Bowl is also popular. Try them both!
Yocchabare Houtou
Source:Official website
For those wanting a luxurious houtou with various ingredients, try the "Yocchabare Houtou". "Yocchabare" is Yamanashi dialect meaning "gathered together", named for the many ingredients gathered in one bowl.
This popular dish features the basic vegetable-rich houtou plus mushrooms, pork, and local chicken meatballs - it's truly satisfying. The umami from each ingredient melts into the soup and seeps into the firm houtou noodles.
If you can't decide what to eat, definitely give the "Yocchabare Houtou" a try!
[Limited Time] Ozara
Source:Official website
![[Limited Time] Ozara](https://res-4.cloudinary.com/dbm1qiew0/image/upload/q_auto/v1/blog-images/-Limited-Time--Ozara.png)
"Ozara" is a chilled houtou available only during summer. The ice-cold noodles, chilled with Mt. Fuji's ice and water, are eaten by dipping them in a soy sauce-based soup.
Unlike hot soup houtou, you can better enjoy the chewy texture of the noodles themselves and their smooth throat feel. The cold soy sauce-based soup, made with a secret recipe, has a refreshing taste perfect for summer.
It comes with crispy tempura including shrimp, green chili peppers, eggplant, and other seasonal vegetables. We recommend dipping them in the soup and enjoying them with the noodles.
Be sure to try this when visiting during the hot season!
Sengenchaya Honten serves these authentic local dishes in a traditional setting. Their menu showcases the best of Yamanashi's local ingredients and culinary traditions.
Sengenchaya Honten: A Direct Branch of Hotel Kaneyamaen
Source:Official website
Sengenchaya Honten operates as a direct branch of the long-established Hotel Kaneyamaen in Fujiyoshida City. Hotel Kaneyamaen is famous for its high-quality hot springs, known as the "Miracle Waters."
The hotel's main attraction is its open-air bath offering breathtaking views of Mount Fuji while soaking in the hot springs. There's also a special "lying bath" where you can gaze at Mount Fuji while relaxing on your back, providing a luxurious experience unique to this location.
Another selling point is the beautiful Japanese garden within the premises. The spacious garden showcases vivid seasonal landscapes throughout the year - cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in summer, autumn foliage, and snow scenes in winter. The seasonal decorations add charm to the experience, such as wind chimes in summer and illuminated bamboo in winter.
Consider visiting both Sengenchaya Honten and the hotel!
- Hotel Address: 9-1-18 Kamiyoshida Higashi, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture
- Access: About 10 minutes by shuttle bus from Fujisan Station on the Fujikyu Line
- Phone: 0555-22-3168
- Reception Hours: 9:00-18:00
- Official Website: https://www.kaneyamaen.com/eng/
Accessing Sengenchaya Honten
Address: 5562-7 Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi Prefecture
Access: Take a bus from Fujisan Station (Fujikyu Line) and get off at "Sengen Shrine" bus stop
Official Website: https://www.sengenchaya.jp
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sengenchaya/
Experience Sengenchaya Honten and More with Magical Trip's "Mt. Fuji Nature meets Culture Tour with a Private Hire Car"
Want to explore the area around Sengenchaya Honten? Consider joining Magical Trip's 10-hour tour showcasing Yamanashi's charm.
Departing from Tokyo with a driver and guide, this tour of Mount Fuji's historical sites includes various experiences possible only with a local guide's expertise. Why not explore this special touring course not found in guidebooks?
Tour Highlights:
- Spectacular views of Mount Fuji and a five-story pagoda at Asakura Sengen Shrine
- Wasabi farm harvesting experience and fresh wasabi tasting
- Visit to Oshino Hakkai springs, fed by Mount Fuji's snowmelt
- Local specialty lunch
- Visits to historic shrines and waterfalls
- Tasting experiences including sake, wine, and matcha
One of the tour's advantages is not having to arrange transportation yourself. Perfect for those wanting to efficiently experience the Mount Fuji area.
- Meeting Point: Hotel Pickup or Shinjuku
- Tour Area: Tokyo departure - Mount Fuji area
- Start Time: 8:00am
