I had been wanting to visit this restaurant for a long time, so I made a reservation over the phone for a 2-hour slot starting at 3:00 pm. I was able to get a private room away from the main area, and I was really looking forward to it. Until the time of my reservation, I strolled around the garden, enjoying the atmosphere similar to Ukaibird Mountain. I love this kind of restaurant, and I knew I made the right choice coming here. Below is the review of the menu and my experience at the restaurant.

I visited "Kurochaya" for the first time in three years, as I couldn't go there last year or the year before due to the pandemic. It is a 270-year-old thatched roof Japanese house located by the Akigawa River. This time, we reserved the spacious separate room by the pond where carp swim for a New Year's gathering of 10 relatives spanning three generations. The old samurai residence with plenty of large rooms that can easily accommodate large gatherings always impresses me. However, due to the high number of customers during this time, reservations are essential. I was delighted to see the return of charcoal grilling after a long time, but the prices have gone up. The charcoal-grilled river fish and domestic beef course, previously priced at 5,800 yen as "Kikyo," has now been renamed "Ajisai" and costs 7,700 yen. Additionally, on January 2nd and 3rd, there is a special menu priced at 8,800 yen. Well, I guess that's understandable given the current situation. The New Year's menu included various dishes like appetizers, soup, sashimi, grilled dishes, fried dishes, and desserts. The rustic countryside cuisine, meticulously prepared and served in a serene setting along the valley, provided a truly enjoyable and peaceful moment. Despite the slight decline in meat quality and the increase in prices, the unique atmosphere of this place offers an experience that is hard to find elsewhere. I was able to enjoy the New Year's gathering, wishing for a peaceful year ahead.

It was not a special day like a birthday or anniversary, but I visited the restaurant with a friend after seeing it on Instagram and TikTok. The atmosphere from the parking lot to the room was great, and the room and outside view were amazing. We had the "Suiren" course for 9,900 yen this time. The dishes included appetizers, sashimi, soup, grilled ayu fish, grilled meat, and mixed rice. While the taste was not outstanding, each dish was carefully prepared with a good variety and quantity, making us very satisfied. It was too much food for me as I have a small appetite... Personally, I found all the staff members, from the parking attendant to the room guide and servers, to be very friendly and made the experience enjoyable. Although I was too full to try the shaved ice this time, I imagine it would be delicious while enjoying the view of the Akigawa River, so I definitely want to try it next time I visit.

Relax and heal while feeling the hospitality of the staff. The food is visually appealing, delicious to eat, and all of it was tasty. It seems like each table is in its own private room. After eating, you can take a leisurely stroll around the restaurant with a terrace seat (they have shaved ice). You can relax while looking at the valley. You can also go down to the Akigawa Gorge.

I didn't have high expectations when it comes to touristy places, but the beautiful scenery in front of me and the quality of the bento lunch I ordered exceeded my imagination. Having a meal with my family while enjoying the view, letting the kids play in the river, and finishing with shaved ice. It was a perfect day at the end of summer. Just be aware that the parking lot is small and almost always full, so if it's full, you'll have to take a bus from the station. We were lucky to find a spot this time, but just keep that in mind.

The lingering summer heat is too harsh, but there's a place to escape it. Even in Tokyo, the temperature is a bit lower near the river, but it's still hot. The car thermometer reads 33 degrees on weekdays. The menu offers four options: Ayame with chicken (6600 yen), Ajisai with beef (7700 yen), Mizutsure with premium Wagyu beef and sashimi (9900 yen), and Seiryu with Akigawa beef (11000 yen). We chose Ajisai and upgraded to premium black Wagyu beef for an additional 1100 yen. We started with the famous Magatama tofu and a basket of appetizers, beautifully decorated with a full moon and susuki grass for the Mid-Autumn Festival. You can choose between baked dishes or charcoal-grilled dishes; we opted for the latter. While enjoying the appetizers, we eagerly waited for the ayu fish and skewered vegetables to be grilled on the charcoal. The staff explained that grilling the fish before the meat prevents the meat from absorbing the smoky flavor. We even got to roast sweet potatoes on the hearth. After a filling meal, we were served dessert, followed by sweet bean paste-filled oyaki. We decided to take the oyaki to go as the shaved ice stand was not open yet. We enjoyed the riverside view and even went rock skipping before heading to the shaved ice stand. The terrace had been renovated, making it a perfect spot to enjoy the shaved ice. Despite being full, the beautiful scenery alone warranted a rating of 3.5 or higher.

In Tokyo, you can enjoy fluffy shaved ice while looking at the great nature! We visited this place after driving to the Hossawa Waterfall. You can buy shaved ice and eat it wherever you like, but we chose to eat it on the terrace with the sound of water in the background. The ice melts in your mouth smoothly, and the taste is incomparable to any shaved ice we've had before. In the bamboo forest, you can see children playing by the river. After finishing our shaved ice, we also enjoyed playing in the river. It's the perfect place to relax and unwind from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo!

I used it for a memorial service during lunchtime. The price is reasonable considering the atmosphere. It seems that the mansion was relocated and built 300 years ago. It has a great sense of dignity. It can be used for family celebrations, memorial services, dates, etc., and you can spend half a day there. Highly recommended.

About 20 minutes from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station is a restaurant called "Kurochaya". It has a parking lot for about 50 cars, but some cars may not be able to park on weekends. Depending on the season, a shuttle bus may be available. You can also reach the restaurant by local bus. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a house built over 300 years ago in a shoya-zukuri style, creating an atmosphere that doesn't feel like Tokyo at all. Within the premises, there are various facilities such as a dining area called "Furusato no Ie", a traditional snack shop called "Chikuan", a resting place called "Raku", a souvenir shop called "Suisha", a tea house called "Itoya", and an observation terrace. At "Rakuan", they serve shaved ice made with natural ice. Many people were enjoying water activities by the river. It was my partner's birthday, so we chose the "Suiren" course (9900 yen) and enjoyed it in a private room with a view of the Akigawa River. We also ordered a tasting set of local sake from Akiruno City called "Kisho". The course included various dishes such as a special tofu jelly, assorted appetizers, a soup with chicken and yuzu pepper, sashimi, grilled dishes, a warm dish, fried potato rolls, a side dish, chilled yomogi udon noodles, dessert, and more. The dishes were beautifully presented and delicious. We especially enjoyed the unique flavors and textures of each dish. The service was exceptional, and we were even presented with a special gift for the birthday celebration. We are grateful for the opportunity to enjoy such delicious food in an atmosphere that made us forget we were in Tokyo.

The atmosphere of the site is very charming, and you can enjoy a leisurely stroll around. However, there are limited parking spaces, especially on summer weekends when only those with reservations can enter. You may be directed to park at the train station and take a shuttle bus to get there. In the summer, you can also enjoy playing in the river below, which is very refreshing! Even if you don't have a meal, you can still have a good time by having tea or eating shaved ice. It's a recommended spot for cooling off.

As always, my wife mentioned "search for Akiruno's Kurochaya" so I quickly searched for it. From Itsukaichi Station, heading towards the Akigawa Valley on the Hinohara Highway, there is a large sign for the restaurant, so it seems like an easy place to find. It only takes about 2 hours from home to arrive, so we decided to head out. The only issue was that we didn't have a reservation, so I attempted to make a same-day reservation over the phone while on our way there, and luckily, we were able to secure one. The phone service was very polite, and our expectations were raised. After passing through Itsukaichi Station, we arrived at the restaurant in about 10 minutes after confirming the large sign. The parking lot by the roadside was full, but the staff guided us to the other side (towards the restaurant) where we were able to park in front of the entrance on a narrow road with a steep slope. The large water wheel next to the parking lot became a landmark, and there were various buildings on the premises that perfectly fit the atmosphere of the area. I think many visitors to Kurochaya forget that this is still Tokyo. We reserved the 9900 yen course, and ordered the restaurant's specialty cold sweet sake. The dishes served were all delicious, and there were many of them, so it's best to check them out in photos. The sweet sake was on the sweeter side. We enjoyed the course meal while feeling the atmosphere of nature in Akigawa. After eating, you can also explore the grounds of Kurochaya, including going down to the riverbank, so it's a great place for people of all ages to enjoy.

It seems I was lucky to receive this treat because of the typhoon. Without any knowledge, I was drawn to this visual and decided to stop by on my way back from the tamagoyaki shop. I ordered the strawberry milk, matcha milk, and azuki flavors for 1200 yen each, which is not ridiculously expensive like in the city and the portion size is generous. The shaved ice is made from natural ice, so I could enjoy it without getting a headache. It was so delicious that I don't even need to give my opinion. The atmosphere is also amazing. The staff, mostly elderly, are very humble and polite. While I was eating outside, I unintentionally muttered "Wow, it's delicious and makes me happy," and one of the staff noticed and said, "Is it delicious? I'm glad. Please take your time." It was a bit embarrassing (sweat). Normally, without the typhoon, the parking lot would be crowded with customers with reservations for the black tea house or those coming for the shaved ice. The parking attendant said that if it weren't for the typhoon, I wouldn't be able to park there and would have to park at the station and take the bus to the shop. However, it was raining heavily while I was eating and on my way back.

The atmosphere was great as it is right next to the river. There are souvenir shops and restaurants next door. I went on the weekend and waited in line for over 30 minutes. Around 5 pm, they also provided a shuttle bus, which was very convenient as we didn't have to drive.

I made a reservation for the lunch course at Ayame and visited. It was the cheapest course, but the portion was sufficient and delicious. Overall, there were a lot of vegetables, and the appetizer was especially tasty. The atmosphere inside the restaurant, which is a traditional Japanese house, was very nice, and I was able to enjoy my meal while being naturally healed.

There is a spacious balcony in the private room, so you can enjoy your meal outside on cooler days. However, it was very hot on the day of my visit, so I dined inside the cozy atmosphere of the traditional Japanese house. The food was consistently delicious, with the almond tofu being a standout dish. I also enjoyed a refreshing cold sweet sake, which was perfect for the hot weather.

The fluffy shaved ice arrived after 10 o'clock, and since the parking lot was full, I had to go back to Musashi-Itsukaichi Station and park at the station parking. Then I took a shuttle bus to Kurochaya. I made a mistake by lining up for the shaved ice right away because the parking lot was crowded. It would have been better to go to the takeout bento shop first and eat before getting the shaved ice. The area was very spacious, so there weren't many people lining up for shaved ice, and there were plenty of places to eat, so there was no need to rush. As a result, the bento was too salty and made my throat dry, so I ended up going to buy cream soda. It was delicious, and the occasional breeze while looking at the river was refreshing, so I'll consider it a good experience.

When I went there by chance, it was during the summer vacation period, so it was extremely crowded. I thought about getting a photogenic shaved ice for a change, but I was already full, so I opted for an iced cafe latte ☕️. The four-person table had a large fan, which kept us cool. They also had desserts like sweet red bean soup. The relaxed atmosphere and view were fantastic! It seemed nice to dip into the river in front, so next time, I want to go dressed to get into the river.

I took out a 1500 yen bento and ate it on the terrace. It included grilled salted ayu, grilled mushrooms and trefoil mixed rice, pickles, and more. The cream soda was perfect in both appearance and taste! I highly recommend it for the hot summer days!!

I had the 8,000 yen hydrangea course and enjoyed a delicious meal in a very pleasant atmosphere. The course included a variety of dishes from appetizers to desserts, and the portions were generous. There were so many dishes that I had a great time. I couldn't finish everything because there was so much, but my husband helped me finish the rest!

I used it for my friend's birthday celebration. Surrounded by trees by the Akigawa River, you can enjoy a cool atmosphere even on hot days like today. You can have a leisurely meal in a spacious private room. The food includes: walnut tofu, hassun, clear soup, sashimi, grilled ayu fish, grilled beef with perilla leaves, simmered dish, fried dish, vinegared dish, and mugwort udon. The quality of ingredients and cooking techniques seem to be sufficient for this price. It tastes delicious. The pace of serving dishes may be a bit fast, but it's much better than being slow. If you feel it's too fast, you can simply inform them. The staff, including Mr. Nakai, provides attentive service, making the dining experience pleasant. You can also enjoy natural shaved ice on the premises, but we gave up due to being full and the long line. It has a more rustic feel compared to Ukai Chikutei in Hachioji that I visited before.

Visiting in July 2023. Located about a 5-minute drive from Musashi-Itsukaichi Station on the JR Itsukaichi Line, this restaurant offers a traditional Japanese course meal where you can enjoy local cuisine. The restaurant is situated in a lush natural setting in an old folk house. The riverside walking course is very soothing! This time, I made a reservation in advance for the Ayame Course (excluding tax) for 6,600 yen. With drinks and service charge, it came to 8,500 yen. The course includes appetizers (tofu), assorted appetizers (8 varieties), soup (boiled edamame), sashimi (salmon), grilled dishes (chicken with magnolia leaf & grilled sweetfish with salt), tempura, vinegar dish, main dish (Yomogi udon), dessert (lemon jelly), and sweet (oyaki). The appetizers mainly consist of vegetables! The freshness is good, but overall, it gives a simple impression. The tofu appetizer has a texture similar to mozzarella with a walnut paste that is exquisite. The salmon sashimi with sesame dressing is mediocre. The grilled sweetfish looks and tastes great, definitely the highlight! The tempura, including potato wrapped in perilla leaf, corn, and green plum, is all freshly fried and crispy, no complaints there. In the end, the most delicious dish was the initial tofu appetizer. A downside is that all the dishes are served at once, so you can't leisurely enjoy the warm and cold elements... it feels a bit rushed. I've always wanted to visit this restaurant, so overall, I'm satisfied! Considering the price, I feel like a little more creativity in the dishes would be nice.

I had the "Seiryu Course" and plum juice at a restaurant near the Akigawa Gorge. The place was beautiful with a wide area for strolling and enjoying dishes like baked sweet potatoes, shaved ice, and more while overlooking the river. The dining area was in a 250-year-old former samurai residence, and I was lucky to have a private room with a great view. The standout dishes from the course were the "Kagome Tofu" made from cashew nuts, the fresh sashimi of salmon, char, and trout, and the delicious Akigawa beef, which was incredibly tender and juicy with a sweet flavor. Overall, it was a delightful dining experience.