I completely forgot about this place I wanted to visit after seeing it on TV. The Margherita pizza has a great tomato flavor in the sauce. The Cinque Formaggi pizza has an irresistible smell of blue cheese from the Sarubetsu Cheese Factory. The cheese stretches a lot and has a great texture when you bite into it. The dough is on the smaller side but it's chewy and has a nice wheat aroma. The view of the trees from the window was also a treat. I'm looking forward to going back during asparagus season.

I was introduced to a sushi restaurant by the owner, and decided to make a reservation. The sushi was indeed delicious! I ended up eating 3 pieces instead of the planned 2. I thought it might be difficult to pair with alcohol, so I dreamt of trying it with Lambrusco.

I visited a highly-rated pizza restaurant for the first time in Biei. It was located in a quiet area a little off the main road with a spacious land and a charming atmosphere. There were two VW Beetles in the garage, indicating a love for these cars. Upon entering, we took off our shoes and moved to a table on the second floor. Outside the picture window, there were bird feeders attracting frequent visits from small birds. The restaurant had many landscape panels by a famous photographer from Osaka, allowing us to enjoy the stunning views of Biei while dining. The pizza, as rumored, had a soft and moist crust with a mild sauce, which was delightful. We ordered a pizza with seasonal white asparagus sauce and one with potatoes and anchovies. For drinks, we chose a sparkling rosé, which paired well with the cheese. My favorite part was the spicy oil made with delicious olive oil, which paired perfectly with the asparagus. It was a truly elegant lunch experience.

The blue cheese pizza was delicious! The half and half option was great! The panna cotta and the Biei wheat flour cookies for dessert were delicious too! ♡

Pizzeria Ilcovo in Biei is a charming restaurant that takes advantage of the abundance of fresh local vegetables. Located in a hidden house among fields or forests, it offers a unique dining experience. The restaurant has a chic and conceptual atmosphere, with a large oven where pizzas are baked. Although the restaurant temporarily closed for winter, they offered Christmas takeout, which I tried. I ordered a Margherita pizza and a blue cheese pizza with cheese from Edembetsu. The antipasto misto was a delightful selection of various appetizers. The pizzas were about 10 inches in size, with the Margherita having a fresh and vibrant tomato sauce, and the blue cheese pizza featuring a mix of mozzarella and blue cheese, complemented by honey. The dough was soft and chewy, adding to the overall experience. The antipasto included arancini, pork confit, deer meatballs, potato croquettes, baby leaf salad, and paprika oil-roasted peppers, all of which were delicious. Overall, the food was fantastic and enjoyable.

I heard about this restaurant from a local friend, so I made a reservation before leaving Tokyo and visited on the day. The location was a bit hard to find, so I had to check my phone multiple times while looking for it. The wooden building surrounded by trees didn't look like a restaurant at first, and I thought it might be someone's home. The dining space on the second floor had a small, cozy atmosphere, and you could enjoy a leisurely time looking out at the green trees through the windows. The food, mainly pizza using ingredients from Biei, was delicious, especially the pizzas baked in-house. I had a great time enjoying lunch with the wonderful atmosphere and food.

The name of the restaurant, Il Covò, means "hideaway" in Italian. Just like its name suggests, we had a hard time finding it amidst the vast hills of Biei, but finally managed to locate it after wandering around. Even with GPS, it's a bit tricky to get to. Upon entering the restaurant, you have to take off your shoes. The seating area is on the second floor, so you have to climb the stairs. There aren't many seats, but each one offers a great view from the windows. When we visited, wild birds were playing by the windows, so we were able to enjoy watching them while eating pizza. It seems you can also see squirrels. It's really cute. Some people brought cameras, so it's a fun place for photography enthusiasts. The pizza here is Neapolitan style, with a crispy and fluffy texture in the crust. The sauce is just right, not too thick or too thin, allowing the flavors of the ingredients to shine through. The owner and the female staff were very kind, and when we visited with a baby, they recommended a sofa seat for us. It was much appreciated. Since the restaurant is not open year-round, it's best to check their website or Facebook and make a reservation before going.

Pizzeria Il Covo opened in June 2012 in the Biei Patchwork Area. It's a bit tricky to find as there is no direct route on navigation systems, so be sure to check a map before heading there. To simplify, you can take the road near "Arune Pain," pass Potato Hill, and then take a left onto a narrow road. The restaurant is on the left-hand side. The atmosphere inside is very calming, with a familiar shoe-free style common in Biei. The menu includes five types of pizza, with three tomato-based and two others. You can also order a set menu with a drink, soup, mini dessert, and coffee or tea for an additional 500 yen. The desserts are also available for 200 yen with coffee. The open kitchen allows you to see the pizzas being made, adding to the experience. The Margherita pizza is delicious with a chewy crust and fresh ingredients. The Salsiccia pizza has sweet onions and the Patata pizza is topped with chunky potatoes. The mini desserts include Panna Cotta and Ginger Cookies. Takeout is also an option. The restaurant is usually open on weekends, but may close in March and April during the snowmelt season. It's recommended to check their Facebook page for the latest information.

Certainly, I made a reservation a month ago and eagerly awaited it. Be careful not to get lost on the way because the map on Tabelog is wrong and there is no road on the map. First, I was excited by the lovely building. The pizza set with a drink, soup, and dessert is a great deal at +500 yen. The Iittala dishes are cute. The December pizzas had 5 options, so it was tough to choose 2 for 2 people. The first one had pork fat and meat slowly roasted and then crisped up, giving it a crunchy texture. The crust was crispy, which I love, and different from traditional Neapolitan pizza. The second one had tomato sauce with capers and anchovies, a bit salty but the anchovies were a delicious touch. Perfect as a snack with drinks. I wanted to order another one, maybe the Quattro Formaggi, but I hesitated. The dessert arrived, and I still hesitated. My criteria for hesitation was not whether I could eat more but if ordering more would inconvenience the customers coming after me. It was a bit embarrassing, so I left some room for next time. Despite that, the delicious pizza and the humble restaurant owners make visiting again something to look forward to. Plus, the beautiful snowy view from the window is sure to be a soothing experience.

The restaurant is located in a very hard-to-find place, just like in a cute shop in the middle of a forest where squirrels and birds come to play! You have to take off your shoes and climb the stairs, it's so exciting to enter. The interior, unified in brown and red, is really calming. The pizza is oven-baked and has a very authentic taste that you wouldn't expect. They can only serve one pizza at a time, but that doesn't bother you at all as you relax. The menu seems to incorporate seasonal local vegetables, which makes it exciting to visit again and again. They only serve until the dough runs out, so it's recommended to call before visiting!

**Michelin Recommended**