Located on the scenic shores of Lake Hamana, overlooking Bentenjima Island, a popular tourist spot and power spot on Lake Hamana,Asashio Inn, specializing in fresh seafood"The previous generationMasahiro YamadaThis inn was started by Mr. [Name] as a fishing boat operator, and he is the current young master of the inn.Keisuke YamadaHaving trained at a Japanese restaurant before taking over the business, the restaurant is famous for its fresh dishes made with live fish, mainly from the local Maisaka Port and Lake Hamana!
Enjoy a stroll along the lakeside promenade behind the inn, and you'll be captivated by the breathtaking scenery of the red torii gate, the symbol of Bentenjima Island, and the setting sun!
Dinner will be served in the large banquet hall "Manpuku," and you can choose to start at either 6 PM or 7 PM!
In the spacious hall, each guest has their own table separated by partitions, and measures have been taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as ensuring proper ventilation!
"menu"
From appetizers that would go well with drinks to the main course, I eagerly awaited the arrival of my meal while carefully reviewing the menu!
We ordered bottled beer and toasted to my husband's 45th birthday! (Note: This stay was before the state of emergency was declared.)
They are particular about their ingredients and faithfully adhere to the basics of serving food, ensuring that hot dishes are served hot and cold dishes are served cold so that you can enjoy them to the fullest. As a result, freshly prepared dishes are brought out one after another, and before you know it, your table is filled with delicious-looking food!
The young owner kindly explained the sashimi platter, which allows you to enjoy fresh fish, when he served it to us!
"Bottled Beer Asahi Super Dry"
「Asahi Super DryThis beer became the official beer of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and original design cans and bottles with original labels are being sold nationwide, so this time I enjoyed the Olympic version with the label!
"Appetizer"
The meal includes fragrant grilled live shrimp with salt, steamed corn cut from the cob for easy eating, dried sardines simmered in soy sauce, salted squid, and edamame – all appetizers that are perfect with beer!
"Sesame Tofu"
This sesame tofu has a rich sesame aroma and a sticky, chewy texture! Served with wasabi as a condiment, dipping it in a light broth makes it a refreshing and soothing treat!
"Osashimi"
On this day, the fresh fish selection includes fatty southern bluefin tuna, firm wild sea bream, thick-fleshed bigfin reef squid with a rich, sweet flavor, light yet chewy flounder, and refreshing grunt with a satisfyingly firm texture—a star-studded lineup of fresh and delicious sashimi with vibrant colors and a beautiful sheen!
"Boiled crab"
They serve half crabs each, freshly caught at Maisaka Port, allowing you to enjoy the sweet meat and roe! When you get your hands on a boiled crab, you'll find yourself eating it in silence (lol).
"Braised pork belly"
Made with domestically produced pork, this tender and sweet braised pork belly is garnished with taro and snow peas for added color!
"Ohitashi"
A refreshing side dish featuring molokhia, okra, and shimeji mushrooms—all with a pleasant, slimy texture that's good for your body!
"Tempura"
The platter of freshly fried, piping hot tempura included two shrimp, eggplant, shiitake mushroom, shishito pepper, and sweet potato, and they provided both salt and tempura dipping sauce, so we could choose whichever we preferred. We were delighted with the plumpness of the shrimp tempura!
"Aromatic vegetables and whitebait in Tosa vinegar dressing"
Whitebait is coated in batter and deep-fried, then tossed with aromatic vegetables such as onions, red onions, bell peppers, celery, carrots, and green peppers in Tosa vinegar for a refreshing summer dish!
"Eggplant dengaku"
All the dishes here were seasoned just right, but the dengaku miso was too rich and a little too salty for me, as I prefer milder flavors. The eggplant was deliciously tender, so I ate it without the miso!
"Horaisen / Sekiya Brewing"
We offer a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including beer, sake, shochu, and wine. "Horaisen" is a sake that is carefully brewed using a low-temperature, slow process, similar to how ginjo sake is made, and is best enjoyed chilled!
Grilled eel
The grilled eel, seasoned with homemade sauce and served in half portions, is incredibly satisfying. Serve with sansho pepper!
"Meals"
Made with Koshihikari rice from the terraced rice paddies of Toyooka Village, the plump and glossy grains offer a rich, sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with grilled eel! The miso soup is red miso soup, and the pickles are a three-item assortment of takuan (pickled radish), cucumber, and pickled jellyfish with plum!
"sweetness"
The homemade almond tofu had a sticky, slightly chewy texture like mochi, and a gentle sweetness. The meal concluded with the sweet flavors of ripe Miyazaki mango and grapes, and before I knew it, I was absolutely stuffed, but I thoroughly enjoyed the meal!
When I returned to my room, the futon had been laid out for me, so I took a rest, clutching my stomach (lol). I had eaten so much that I could barely get up, and I had a hard time falling asleep that night. Eating until you're 80% full is so true!
The red torii gate of Benten Island floats on the calm surface of the lake. When lit up, it looks fantastic!
Asashio Inn, specializing in fresh seafood
Location: 3392-3 Arai-cho, Kosai City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL: 053-592-0761
http://www.asasio.co.jp/
