Summary: Yamato-ya Honten located along the Dotonbori River in Osaka specializes in seasonal cuisine using the finest local ingredients. From Kobe beef in spring to ayu and hamo in summer, matsutake mushrooms in autumn, and fugu, kue, and crab hot pot in winter, the menu showcases the best of Kansai's seasonal delicacies. Fugu, a high-end fish, is a staple of Osaka's culinary culture, and Yamato-ya Honten offers a variety of fugu dishes prepared by experienced chefs. With a seating capacity of 200, including private rooms for various group sizes, the restaurant provides a traditional Japanese ambiance with tatami flooring. The menu includes a full course fugu hot pot meal for 8800 yen, featuring dishes like fugu and vegetable hot pot, fugu sashimi, fugu tempura, and seasonal appetizers. The restaurant also offers a fugu set for home enjoyment. Operating hours are from 11:00 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 21:30, with last entry at 19:30. Payment options include credit cards and various electronic payment methods. The restaurant is conveniently located near Nipponbashi Station in Osaka.

We visited this restaurant as part of a campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic. They have a bath, so we were able to take a bath before our meal. I didn't go in, but my family members who did said it was a good bath. The young female staff who served us were polite but not overly formal, and their friendly service was just right. The food was delicious, with tasty dishes like chawanmushi, meat, and sashimi. Even though I don't usually eat much, I enjoyed the meal. The desserts were also well-prepared, and the cream puffs seemed homemade. However, when ordering wine for the three of us, we found that only Beaujolais and another type were available in full bottles. It would have been nice to have another option besides Beaujolais, which felt a bit unreliable. Despite this, it was a great restaurant, and I would like to visit again with my family.

In December, after finishing work, I went out for a meal. The restaurant I visited that day was Yamato-ya Honten, located by the Dotombori River, a 3-4 minute walk from Nipponbashi Station. This place also functions as a ryokan, where you can enjoy meals in private rooms. Due to the spread of COVID-19, the reception has been closed, but I was able to enjoy a discounted meal with coupons through the "Osaka Welcome Campaign 2021". I was guided to a private room inside the building, which was equipped with a TV, toilet, and washbasin. The table was set up like this. I had made a reservation for the Kobe beef course. The drink menu offered a 120-minute all-you-can-drink option for 2,750 yen (tax included). I ordered a highball and a lemon chu-hi. We started with a plum wine aperitif before moving on to the appetizers, which allowed us to enjoy a variety of flavors. The sashimi platter included sea bream, salmon, and shrimp. The shrimp was quite large and impressive. The meal continued with a grilled flounder dish, Kobe beef cold shabu salad, beef tongue pie, Kobe beef seared sushi, fugu tempura, and more. The Kobe beef steak cooked on a ceramic plate was incredibly tender and flavorful. The meal concluded with red miso soup, pickles, and a homemade dessert of fruits and mini cream puffs. Overall, it was a satisfying meal in a private room setting with delicious meat at a great value.

Tonight, we had our company's year-end party at the main branch of Yamatoya located by the Dotonbori River in Osaka! It only took 2 and a half hours on the Nozomi train, so it's quite close. We sat in a traditional Japanese room with table seating, which was comfortable. We had the Kobe beef kaiseki course, which included a delicious Kobe beef steak. It was so tender and cooked rare. We enjoyed it with wine. The Nipponbashi-Namba-Shinsaibashi area has really seen an increase in foreign tourists. We ate, we drank! Now, let's move on to the second party! Let's go!

When autumn comes, I start craving sukiyaki with matsutake mushrooms. After doing some research, I made a reservation at Yamato-ya for their sukiyaki course with matsutake mushrooms. I was surprised by the large building as I entered. I felt a bit out of place as I was led to a private tatami room. And then I noticed something strange - a futon in the room! There were also yukatas under the TV. When I asked the waitress, I found out that they also offer accommodation. It seems like many foreign guests stay here. The meal started with appetizers and sashimi, which were delicious. Then came the sukiyaki with meat and vegetables. Of course, they cooked it for us. The lean meat with a light sauce was delicious. The matsutake mushrooms had a great texture. The dish was full of vegetables. I love the udon noodles soaked in the delicious broth afterwards. My stomach felt like it was going to burst by the end of the meal. I felt like just laying down on the futon and relaxing.

After dining at Sangokutei, we changed into yukatas and headed to a ryokan in Minami where we could relax in separate large baths for men and women. Soaking in the hot springs, we truly felt like we were on a hot spring trip in Minami. After warming up, we took a walk around Minami and enjoyed a different view than usual. It was a memorable half-day experience that was more special than staying at a five-star hotel in Osaka. Your girlfriend has been working hard even on Sunday mornings. Well done!

I had fugu cuisine. It was delicious, but I couldn't quite understand why it's considered high-end. Maybe because you need a special license to prepare it?

It's too much... everything is just too chaotic...

I was able to eat in a private room. The food was delicious, and I was very satisfied because I used the Osaka Welcome Campaign this time, so I could eat cheaply.

I had the Kobe beef set meal at Yamatoya. The beef sushi and beef shabu-shabu were delicious. The wide private room was nice, and they cooked the rice in a clay pot right in front of us. Thank you for the feast.

The Kani-sanmai course at Yamatoya was excellent. Although there are other famous crab specialty restaurants nearby, Yamatoya offers a more luxurious and extensive course at the same price. The private room was a nice touch, allowing us to relax and enjoy the meal. The food was delicious. Thank you for the feast.

Matsutake mushroom course ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡ It was delicious. I felt indulged. I enjoyed Matsutake slowly in a private room. It even came with wagyu sukiyaki, so I was very satisfied. Thank you very much for the meal.

There were also private rooms in the tatami style, so it is recommended for those who want to enjoy their meal leisurely. It seems like they can also accommodate group customers, so it seems to be popular for banquets. Among the dishes we ordered, the sashimi was especially delicious. They were all fresh and tasty.

I had the fugu course meal. I made a reservation online for 3000 yen, which seemed like a good deal, but two days before, I received a call saying there was a mistake and the correct price was 4000 yen. It was too late to find another place, so I kept the reservation. I was able to eat in the room at the ryokan, which was quiet and had a nice atmosphere. The meal was decent, but not very filling. There was only a small amount of fugu, so if you want to fully enjoy fugu, I would recommend choosing a different course.

I had a kaiseki meal. I arrived an hour early for a lobby meeting, so I took a bath to freshen up. The hot water was refreshing and helped me relax. The clean tatami room with chairs and tables was a nice touch. Sitting on a chair and enjoying the meal in a tatami room was a pleasant experience. The meal was light and satisfying, and the service by the kimono-clad staff was excellent.

The fugu meat is a bit tough.

Great service! Delicious food! Lovely entrance!