Urashima, a pizza shop on the border. Not only the name, but also the legend of Urashima Taro's place, makes my imagination run wild. Located in the small town of Kyotango City in northern Kyoto Prefecture, made up of small towns. The shop is located in a small fishing port far from the center of town. It takes about two and a half hours by car to reach major cities such as Kyoto and Osaka. Truly a remote place, but inside this shop, it creates a different world like southern Italy. Stepping inside, you will find unmistakably a small pizza shop. A large pizza oven with beautiful blue tiles imported from Naples stands out. There is only a counter that can seat a maximum of about 6 people, but there is also a proper espresso machine, making it reminiscent of an Italian bar. Anyway, this shop is full of fun and interesting details. The owner chef, Hiroshi Fujiwara, was born and raised in this area. Before opening this shop about 5 years ago, he trained at famous pizza restaurants in Italy and Japan. He honed his skills at "Pizzaria Ristorante Sakura Gumi" in Hyogo Prefecture, and then served as the manager and chef at an Italian restaurant at the Kobe Kitano Hotel before returning to his hometown in 2017. He has been baking pizzas for over 20 years. Despite that, he looks very young. Maybe he hasn't opened the treasure chest yet? (Just kidding) His parents run "Fujiwara Fish Store" and he uses freshly caught seafood and local produce from farmers to create pizzas that can only be made here. There are only 6 counter seats, and currently they only accept one group, so we made a reservation before going. Any walk-in customers were being turned away. Besides locals, people from Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and even further away come to eat here. It's clear how popular it is. There is one female server. Her simple and friendly service typical of locals is quite pleasant. She strongly recommended the chef's appetizers because they are delicious!! So, even though we thought we would just have pizza, we also ordered the appetizer (4050 yen). It turned out to be super luxurious and surprisingly Italian-like. It was arranged on one plate for three people, so it was quite a spectacle. It included prosciutto, persimmons, sweet potato chips, cauliflower salad, bay clams, lemon-marinated local octopus, butter and sea urchin bruschetta, white kidney beans, sautéed greens, firefly squid, and fried bread. Tasting it, we realized that the chef is not just a pizza craftsman. While sipping sparkling wine, we enjoyed the delicious appetizers and had a lively conversation with the chef. We ordered the Capricciosa pizza (2050 yen), which is a whimsical pizza with tomatoes, cheese, mushrooms, ham, olives, and cherry tomatoes. The thin part of the pizza was surprisingly soft and easy to eat. We also ordered the chef's recommended pizza (2600 yen), which had a lot of green leaves on top. It featured a rare black cabbage, and although simple, it was juicy with plenty of sauce. The chef mentioned that there were talks of opening a shop in Kyoto, but he returned to his hometown to revitalize the countryside. Right now, he finds fulfillment in baking simple pizzas at this small shop. He doesn't want to expand into other things. Mastering a Margherita pizza is important. He wants to solidify the basics and continue to polish them. Finally, standing at the counter and gulping down an espresso in one gulp, we bid farewell to the chef. When we stepped outside, we were suddenly greeted by the rural landscape of Kyotango, like a different world. It felt like I had opened a treasure chest? I am traveling around Japan visiting delicious restaurants.

On September 18, 2023, I made a reservation for 5 o'clock to visit a place in Kyotango where you can enjoy authentic pizza. I ordered an appetizer platter and a ginger ale for drinks. Then, I chose the Margherita pizza to be cooked in a tiled oven. While leisurely watching the pizza being baked, the appetizer platter was served. Each dish was so delicious that my expectations for the main pizza increased. The Margherita pizza finally arrived, freshly baked with a crispy and chewy texture. The juicy acidity of the tomatoes combined with the perfect saltiness of the mozzarella created an incredibly delicious taste! I quickly finished it and reset my palate with an espresso after the meal. I never expected to enjoy such high-quality pizza in Kyotango. They offer not only Margherita but also many other types of pizza, so I definitely want to visit again.

I finally managed to make a reservation at a restaurant that requires precise timing to enter. There are only 5 seats available, but even the takeout was delicious, so today I am dining in front of the stove. I wanted to order only one appetizer for 1500 yen (tax included), but I had to order for the number of people, and ended up getting a little full. The white squid was a pleasant surprise! Even though I only had one slice of prosciutto, it was delicious. I was fine with just water, but they didn't have grapefruit, so I got a blood orange for 550 yen (tax included). There seemed to be black ash floating in the glass, which was a bit concerning. My husband just had water served in a small pitcher. He's a big eater, so he couldn't finish two pizzas. We had a Margherita and a half-and-half with sazae. The Margherita was tastier. It's been 4 years since we last visited, and the dough was harder this time. They even provided a knife in addition to the fork, as the dough was hard to chew. So, my rating is slightly lower than last time. It's a pizza shop run by the world's 2nd best pizza craftsman, who trained at SUKURAGUMI. Next time, I'll insist on just ordering the lunch without any drinks or appetizers. They don't have a menu for drinks, only verbal explanations. They even tried to push coffee on us, but I politely declined. I'll come back for takeout or lunch next time. Thank you for the delicious meal!

I don't know the exact name, but it's a highly recommended restaurant when traveling to the Japan Sea side of Kyoto and Hyogo prefecture. It's said to have placed 2nd in the World Pizza Championship in Naples. The Antipasto Misto is incredibly delicious, and the presentation is just like dining in Italy. The service is very attentive and the quality of the food is outstanding. Unlike some French or Italian restaurants in Japan that tend to focus on small, meticulously arranged dishes, this place offers a truly authentic experience. It's a great restaurant that I would love to visit again, especially since there are famous hot springs nearby.

Feeling like #Naples. Even though I've never been there. Lol. ・I've been looking forward to going to this #pizzeria in Amagino-cho, Fushihara Fish Store, which I made a reservation for a month and a half ago. The deliciousness far exceeded my expectations, and I was deeply moved, maybe even more so than when I went to Magazzino in Nara. ・The #appetizer platter, Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, and Capricciosa all used plenty of seasonal ingredients. Thank you for the meal. I already want to go back! Lol. ・#food #foods #Italian #pizazz #pizza #pizzeria #Kyotango #KyotangoGourmet #NapoliPizza #woodfiredoven

I always make sure to visit this pizza place by the seaside when I'm nearby. The appetizer platter and pizza are all very delicious. The coffee after the meal is really tasty and highly recommended. It's a small shop with only a counter, but they also offer takeout. You can enjoy pizzas here that can only be found here, made with local produce and freshly caught seafood of the day.

We stopped by on the second day of a one-night trip with my husband at a ryokan in Kumihamam. I happened to find it while searching on Tabelog. Since we had been having traditional Japanese meals at the ryokan, I thought pizza would be a nice change for our last meal before heading home. The ryokan in Kumihamam was quite well-known, but looking back, this meal became the highlight of our trip. We ordered the chef's choice starting with appetizers and then the pizza. Each dish that came out was a masterpiece. I had never tasted such skillfully crafted pizza before. Since I can easily make a day trip from my home in Osaka, I will definitely visit again. Reservations are a must.

A famous pizza restaurant in Kyotango. We made a reservation for Sunday at 11:30 and got a seat until 12:50 (the second session starts at 13:00). The seating is at a counter with 5 seats, and some people who came without a reservation ended up leaving. So, reservations are necessary. There are 31 types of pizzas on the menu, but both the appetizer and pizza are ordered as chef's choice of the day. It's fun to watch the pizza being made right in front of you, and when you order chef's choice, they make the pizza with two types of toppings on one piece, which was satisfying! The pizza is not overpowering with cheese or sauce, it's light, so two of us could finish one whole pizza easily. You can enjoy the taste of the ingredients. We wanted to order a second pizza, but we had dinner plans, so we refrained. After the meal, we had a sweet espresso with sugar to freshen up our stomachs. The staff were very friendly and provided detailed explanations.

I got lost and ended up right in the middle of a curve (laughs). It was a bit far. There were about five seats inside where you could eat, but it was full of people, so we were able to eat at the outside seats. We went for the chef's choice this time! We had a Margherita with smoked cheese and a Pisa with spinach base topped with squid. The taste was amazing! We also had a drink set with ginger ale and blood orange. It was a relaxing time looking at the river and shrine. It was warm enough to sit outside comfortably!

In Kyoto Tango, the second-place pizza in the world competition, Napoli Pizza! uRashiMa (Ano) Chef's Choice Pizza (Half & Half) #2012 Pizza World Competition @ 2nd place in Napoli # + Chef's Choice Appetizer Plate + Ginger Ale # SAKURAGUMI (from Hyogo, Akashi, Harima) # 13:55 arrival at the restaurant → 14:30 reservation for the 1h20m slot with staggered seating for infection prevention → 14:15 entry into the restaurant (previous customer left early)

The appetizers and pizzas were both delicious. The pizzas were freshly baked and served hot, and it was great to be able to try different flavors on one pizza without getting tired of it. I recommend trying both the appetizers and pizzas at this restaurant.

I visited the restaurant on a weekday night after making a reservation. It's a small place with only a few counter seats, so I recommend making a reservation. There is a large authentic oven in the small shop, creating a stylish and trendy cafe-like atmosphere. The menu offers a variety of appetizers and dozens of different types of pizzas. The pizzas have unique names that I had never heard of before, making it hard to choose. The owner recommended the chef's choice option, which includes appetizers and a random pizza for 2250 yen, along with ordering a ginger ale. The appetizers included freshly fried squid ink calamari, new onions, prosciutto, octopus, and clams, making for a luxurious and exciting presentation. The new onions were particularly delicious with a crisp texture and sweetness. The squid ink calamari fry had a rich flavor and aroma, making it a perfect snack with drinks. The chef's choice pizza that day was Margherita and half and half with sand lance and seaweed, and sansho pepper. The Margherita had a crispy yet chewy crust, tangy tomato sauce, and rich fresh cheese, creating a delightful combination. The pizzas are cooked quickly at high heat, resulting in a piping hot and delicious meal. The original sand lance pizza was made with a generous amount of rare sand lance oil, combining the savory flavor of the fish, the seaweed's sea taste, and the slight spiciness of the sansho pepper, making it incredibly tasty. It seems like the restaurant is run by a talented chef who has won awards in Naples, and I was captivated by the quality of the pizzas. While the prices are a bit high, the quality of the ingredients justifies it. It would be great if they offered a smaller portion option for both appetizers and pizzas for individuals.

This is my favorite pizza place. I first found it on Tabelog and decided to visit. The place was crowded so we took our pizzas to the nearby beach to eat. The deliciousness of the pizza I had that day stayed with me, so last year my husband and I made a reservation to visit. The pizza was delicious, but the appetizers were also amazing! After hearing about it, my son requested to visit with his spouse this time. We had 4 servings of appetizers and 3 pizzas. The taste was as wonderful as ever! The gentle tomato sauce, perfectly baked pizza dough, and a variety of appetizers. Thank you for a happy time.

This is the best pizza place in Japan in my opinion! It's worth visiting just to eat their pizza. The appetizers are delicious too, and there are many types of pizza to choose from, so it's hard to decide. The pizzas are so delicious that you'll want to try them all! If you're near this area, definitely give it a try.

Located in the northern part of Kyoto Prefecture, Kyotango City. Well, even though it's in Kyoto Prefecture, it's still in the countryside. The scenery is similar to the San'in region. One day, I climbed the Isoyama mountain, which spans the Mineyama and Omiya regions and is known for its legend of a celestial maiden. Despite being a low mountain, the view from the top is quite impressive. After descending, I headed to my next destination. I went to the beautiful coastal area of Ano in the same Kyotango, where I heard there was a highly rated pizzeria. Fushihara Sengyo uRashiMa. It's located near the Yachohama Seaside Park, with the smell of the sea lingering in the air. The restaurant has a small counter with 6 seats, and currently they are only accepting one group at a time, probably due to COVID-19 measures. So, this time I opted for takeout. Let's enjoy it while looking at the sea in the park. Watch out for the kites trying to snatch the pizza (laughs). I ordered a chef's choice pizza, half & half for 1,950 yen + tax. And a mixed appetizer for 1,200 yen + tax. The Margherita pizza is delicious, but personally, I loved the rich cheese. The appetizer made with local ingredients was also good. In the end, I enjoyed the mountains and sea of Kyotango on that day. It feels like daily life is slowly returning, although we still need to be cautious and get used to the new normal.

Today is a beautiful day, so I decided to have a takeout lunch at a park within walking distance from the restaurant. Due to the coronavirus situation, the nearby hot spring inns and surfer parking lots were closed. I enjoyed eating appetizers and Margherita pizza while looking at the sea in the park. It was so wonderful, although the crows were a bit scary.

In the popular pizza restaurant Urashima-cho, we ordered the assorted appetizer and the popular Margherita pizza with local beer. The assorted appetizer that came out first was rich in variety and volume, perfect for enjoying with beer! They timed it well so that the pizza was served piping hot just as we finished the appetizer, and it was absolutely delicious! It's no wonder why it's so popular.

I drove to Kyotango to visit a pizza place I saw on TV. The weather was decent and I arrived at a nice, relaxing location while following the navigation. The parking lot was full, so I ordered a take-out of the Frutti di Mare pizza for 2400 yen. I really wanted to try this pizza with sazae (turban shell). I enjoyed the taste of shellfish, cheese, and crust while eating in the car. It was so delicious! Coming all this way was definitely worth it. Thank you for the delicious pizza!

We visited this restaurant for lunch during our autumn hike on the Tango Peninsula. The seating is only at the counter and it feels a bit cramped with four people sitting side by side. It didn't seem to be a one-drink minimum, but ordering drinks felt like a standard procedure. The pizza crust was slightly thick, chewy, and fluffy, providing a satisfying texture. We ordered a combination of appetizers and pizza, and the pizza was served piping hot with a generous portion. It was quite filling, so one pizza might be enough for two people. It could be a good idea to take out the pizza and enjoy it at a nearby beach. Many local customers seemed to be buying takeout. There didn't seem to be a dessert menu, and we were recommended to have coffee after the meal, although we didn't have any so we can't comment on it.

I visited the shop of a pizza artisan who came in second place at the Pizza Olympics held in Naples every four years, with high expectations. The result was just as expected! I ordered the "recommended" menu item, which was not on the regular menu but cost an additional 2000 yen. What I received was the "Ricotta Cheese and Salami" pizza - incredibly delicious! The cheese was so tasty that even the parts without cheese were delicious too. The dough and cheese were both excellent. I also ordered the "Antipasto" for 1300 yen and the "Margherita Affumicata" for 2000 yen to take home, and they were still delicious even after cooling down a bit. Please note that this shop only has 5 counter seats, so reservations are necessary. Whether dining in or taking out, it's better to make a reservation, especially during quiet times on weekdays. I tried both dining at the counter and taking out, and I must say that eating the freshly baked pizza at the counter was more delicious. "Umyaa" means delicious in the Tanba dialect.

This shop is located close to Hatchinohama Seaside Park, which was relatively easy to find using navigation. The parking lot is across the street from the shop, with a sign at the entrance. I was intrigued by a previous review stating that they won second place in the Naples Pizza Craftsman World Championship held in 2012. Finally, I was able to visit and decided to get takeout. I ordered a Margherita and another one, maybe it was Salame. I had to wait for about an hour. The pizzas were large, so I transferred them to the biggest plate at home. Starting with the Margherita, the tomato sauce was delicious, followed by the nice aroma of fresh basil. Unfortunately, since it was takeout, I imagine the cheese flavor wasn't fully showcased. The thin, chewy crust was delicious. The Margherita was great with beer. The other pizza, Salame (I think...), was slightly spicy with flavorful salami. It went well with beer too. Even my friend, who doesn't eat much, finished a whole pizza. If the basic pizza is this good, then other options must be delicious as well. However, I felt that the experience was diminished by getting takeout. Of course, dining in at the restaurant is recommended. Based on other reviews, they also offer course meals, which I would love to try if given the chance. Overall, it was a delicious meal. Thank you.