20251217b Japan, Takayama

20251217b After a little research, Sharyn struck gold with her dinner choice. Suzuya Restaurant, quietly rooted in Takayama since 1966, is a celebration of regional flavours and the passing of seasons. Housed in a traditional folk dwelling, its weathered exterior stands as a gentle reminder of a time when craftsmanship and patience shaped everyday life.

Step inside and the world softens. Warm Hida wood surrounds the room, and the floor—laid with thick, woven tatami mats—absorbs sound and slows the pace. Seated in this traditional Japanese space, you feel less like a diner and more like a guest welcomed into history.

Then comes the moment the menu truly speaks. The Magnolia Leaf Miso Steak arrives, fragrant and deeply comforting. Sweet, beautifully marbled Hida beef is grilled over a magnolia leaf, its aroma mingling with savoury miso, forest mushrooms, and wild vegetables gathered from the surrounding land. Each bite tells a story of place—of mountains, seasons, and a food culture shaped by nature itself.

If your travels ever lead you to Takayama, let Suzuya be part of your journey. It’s not just a meal, but a quiet, unforgettable experience of Hida Takayama’s soul.

Check out our meal, a feast fit for a king and OMG I swear I have never tasted anything like this, talk about melt in your mouth along with a refreshing hot Sake, what more does one need.

Suzuya Restaurant, leave your shoes at the door and step inside to experience the quiet elegance of a traditional Japanese dining space, where warmth, craftsmanship, and seasonal flavors take center stage. 

Warm lantern light, timber beams, and timeless Japanese charm.

A menu designed to delight all the senses—just don’t forget to check the conversion rates. The Sirloin Steak will set you back 9,200 yen (around $84.84), but some experiences are worth every bite.🍃🔥

As the leaf heats, it releases an earthy aroma that perfumes the meat, while the miso caramelises into a rich, savoury glaze, finger licking good. yum😋

Sharyn models the flip flops supplied for the loo, mush better than walking around in socks with faces staring up at you.

With our bellies full, Phil paid the bill as we slipped on our shoes and begin our walk through the streets heading home. Taking in the sites, we came across an archery place, so we stepped inside to check it out, now thats different. We all signed up and after a quick lesson the boys took the stage trying to hit the target.

Rules for archery, Safety always, etiquette, and scoring, shoot only at designated targets, keep bows pointed straight, aim and shoot and hope for a result, its certainly not as easy as it looks.

Check out this little turd given his Mum the finger while trying to take photos.

Now check out the little turds face of utter surprise when he hits the target, he was happy Mum was taking photos then, bullseye.

Not bad shooting for the boys first time.

Now it’s the ladies turn and I gotta say it takes some skills and lots of pratice.

We passed this Honda Monkey minibike, a highly collectible model known for its small frame and retro styling, now that I’m sure I could ride.

Unfortunately, our time here has come to an end. It was a full and memorable day—wandering through the historic village of Shirakawa-go, returning to Takayama for a dose of nostalgia at the Retro Museum, and finishing the night at one of the most incredible restaurants I’ve ever experienced.

Until Next Time