One spring day
A wild marten walked towords to the camera. Wild, but chubby shape shows that he must be a farmer's enemy.
He finally realized that he was focused on a camera and ran away.
It was a day when the fresh green was beautiful and calm.
by Kay
Sakura sakura
Eiyo-ji（temple) at Gero
Cherry blossoms in Gero
Garyu-sakura (crouching dragon cherry tree) in Takayama is very old tree.
Weeping cherry at SAKANA
Cherries are blooming eveywhere!
by Kay
Deserted town
Takayama town centre is usually full of tourists all through the year, and especially this cherry blossom season. Now tourists have disappeared as the Covid-19 spreads over the world.
The cherry blossoms are blooming quietly without worrying about the turmoil of the human world.
by Kay
Handmade bamboo skewers
Our restaurant SAKANA also spends plenty of free time under the influence of the new coronavirus. The only salvation yet is that there are no infected people in Takayama so far.
To avoid wasting this spare time, we made bamboo skewers for the "charcoal grill hearth course".
About 200 handmade bamboo skewers were made using the bamboo displayed at the entrance of the New Year.
I was so tired after all....
By Kay
Spring surprise -shiitake mushroom
It's been three years since the owner chef had buried Shiitake fungi in oak and chestnut log on the premise of SAKANA but we couldn't get any Shiitake mushroom for two year then we've almost forgotten.
When we looked into the place to see if any wild plant were growing, we found that Shiitake mushrooms grew.
There were some giantic ones.
We picked up big ones, exposed them to the sun for a day, and cooked it at the restaurant.
Shiitake mushroom that grown on the log have much more flavor and aroma than those grown on sawdust bed.
Grilled then seasoned with soy sauce-based broth.
A delicious dish that goes well with sake full flavour of shiitake mushrooms!
by Kay
IRORI (charcoal hearth) - four seasons
Simply grilled fish and meats over burning charcoal fire in front of you.. Irori course is getting more popular.
This course require full attendance of the chef looking after the fire and grill. There will be no other guests but yours.
The small cottage for this private party course has different atmosphere from the main restaurant and looks good anytime of year.
In winter (2017)
In spring evening
In summer
In Autum evening
After grilling of various ingredients on the fire, a hot pot of soup will be served.
Spring and Summer version - fish soup with wild vegetables
Autumn and Winter version - chicken soup with mushrooms
Native wild boar hot pot is special menu for winter
This course requires at least 4 guests and up to 8 (adults) . If you are looking for a special event in Takayama, this would be a memorable one.
by Kay
Winter special Game course
Home smoked wild venison and Cold roast venison and duck.
Jerusalem artichoke veloute
Wild venison pate on Mochi toast
Wild boar tongue
Lightly grilled
Badger
Badger soup has full of umami and sweetness with no gamy smell.
Wild boar spare rib
Roast spare rib
Succulent red wine braised Venison
Grilled Bulbul bird
Bear
Cooked in Sukiyaki sauce
Wild boar (3 years old sow raised grown up eating acorns)
Wild boar hot pot which called 'Botan （Peony) hot pot'.
The game course can be enjoyed until the spring wild vegetable dish starts. If you are interested to have this course, please ask at your booking enquiry due to stock availability.
by Kay
