Introduction
Daigo Town (大子町), located in the northwestern corner of Ibaraki Prefecture, is a place where mountains and clear rivers shape everyday life. While it’s widely known for Fukuroda Falls, one of Japan’s three most famous waterfalls, Daigo is also a hidden gem for food lovers.
Here, you’ll find specialties like Okukuji Shamo chicken, apples ripened on the tree, and local konnyaku dishes—flavors deeply tied to the region’s culture and nature. In this guide, I’ll introduce some of the best restaurants and shops I’ve personally visited, perfect for international travelers looking to taste authentic local cuisine.
👉 If you want to learn more about the area beyond food, check out my Daigo Town Travel Guide for attractions, seasonal highlights, and travel tips.
Okukuji Shamo – Daigo’s Signature Chicken
Okukuji Shamo is a premium local chicken breed, raised in Daigo’s natural environment. Known for its lean meat, rich flavor, and satisfying texture, it’s one of the town’s most celebrated specialties.
Washoku Dining otonari – Fine Dining with Shamo
Located inside the Hojo-kan Bekkan ryokan, otonari is open to non-staying guests and offers a refined dining experience with Daigo’s finest ingredients.
🍚 Recommended Dishes
- Okukuji Shamo Egg-Toji Set – Similar to oyakodon, featuring shamo chicken simmered with egg over rice.
- Unagi Don – Unlike most eel in Japan, otonari serves wild eel from the Kuji River, with a firmer texture and deep flavor.
💡 Tip: The eel menu comes in three sizes: Unadon (0.5 eel), Jo Unadon (1 eel), and Unaju (1.5 eels).
🏠 Info
- Hours: Lunch 11:30–14:00 / Dinner 17:00–21:00
- Closed: Mondays
- Payment: Credit cards accepted
- English menu: Not available
- Web site: Link
🚙 Access
Best reached by rental car or taxi from Fukuroda Station, as bus schedules rarely align with meal times.
Mirando Fukuroda – Shamo Soba and Apple Pie
Tucked behind the souvenir street near Fukuroda Falls, this casual restaurant is popular with both tourists and locals.
🍚 Recommended Dishes
- Okukuji Shamo Soba – Handmade Hitachi Aki soba paired with shamo chicken in a rich broth.
- Apple Pie – Made with Daigo apples, available for takeout. Sometimes you can catch them fresh from the oven!
🏠 Info
- Hours: 11:00–15:00
- Closed: Mondays
- Payment: Cash only
- English menu: Not available
🚙 Access
About 15 minutes on foot from Fukuroda Falls; ideal for a meal before or after sightseeing.
Sweet Daigo Apples and Local Sweets
Daigo’s apples are famous for being ripened on the tree, resulting in a sweeter and juicier flavor compared to most store-bought varieties.
Okukuji Apple Orchard – Fresh-Picked Apples and Apple Picking
Located on the southern edge of Daigo, this orchard sells freshly picked apples and homemade pies. Visitors can also enjoy apple picking, a seasonal highlight.
🏠 Info
- Hours: 9:00–16:00
- Open daily
- Payment: Cash only(\600/adult, \400/child)
- English menu: Not available
🚙 Access
15 minutes on foot from JR Suigun Line Nishigane Station, or by car.
💡 Tip: There’s also a smaller stand across the road, but the main shop offers a wider selection.
Daigo Café – A Cozy Spot Near the Station
Located just five minutes on foot from Hitachi-Daigo Station, this café serves sweets and drinks made with local apples.
🍚 Recommended Dishes
- Coming soon (to be updated after on-site visit)
🏠 Info
- Hours: 11:00–18:00
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Payment: Credit cards accepted
- English menu: Available
🚙 Access
5 minutes on foot from Hitachi-Daigo Station.
Local Favorites – Where the Locals Eat
For travelers seeking a deeper taste of everyday Daigo life, these spots are loved by locals.
Minowa – Hearty Set Meals with Extra-Large Portions
Minowa specializes in everyday Japanese set meals rather than tourist-oriented menus. Portions are famously large.
🍚 Recommended Dishes
- Double Chicken Cutlet Set – Massive cutlets the size of your face.
- Minowa Bento – A variety-packed bento with meat, salad, and vegetables.
🏠 Info
- Hours: 11:30–14:00, 17:00–22:00
- Closed: Tuesdays
- Payment: Cash only
- English menu: Not available
🚙 Access
30 minutes on foot from Hitachi-Daigo Station, or by rental car.
Shoya Ramen – A Hidden Mountain Ramen with Big Impact
Operating inside a convenience store (Konishiya), this ramen shop gained fame after YouTube features. Despite its remote location, it often has long lines.
🍚 Recommended Dishes
- Shoya W Chashu Ramen – A bowl overflowing with thick slices of chashu pork, in a dark broth inspired by Chiba’s Tateyama-style ramen.
🏠 Info
- Hours: 11:00–14:00 (closes when sold out)
- Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays
- Payment: Cash only
- English menu: Not available
🚙 Access
10 minutes on foot from Shimonimomiya Station (1 stop from Hitachi-Daigo Station).
💡 Tip: Extremely popular—arrive early to avoid missing out. A separate article will cover the shop’s unique rules.
Practical Travel Information
Access from Tokyo to Daigo Town
By Train
- Tokyo → Mito Station (JR Joban Line) → transfer to JR Suigun Line → Hitachi-Daigo Station
- Total: ~2.5–3 hours
- Local buses and taxis available, but taxis are more reliable for meal timings
By Car
- Tokyo → Joban Expressway → Hitachinaka IC → Route 118 → Daigo Town
- Total: ~2–2.5 hours
- Parking available at major attractions and restaurants
💡 Tip: A rental car makes exploring Daigo’s scattered attractions much easier.
Best Season to Visit
- October–December is the best time for food lovers, as apples and Hitachi Aki soba are in season.
- Shamo chicken and eel are available year-round.
- Late November brings autumn foliage, making Fukuroda Falls especially beautiful.
Other Useful Tips
- From September, Daigo apples are also sold at roadside stations and farm-direct markets attached to local orchards.
- At orchards, you may find rare apple varieties not sold in regular stores—perfect as travel snacks.
- Please avoid littering. (For details on waste disposal in Japan, see this guide.)
- Prepare your camera: red leaves and the Kuji River in late autumn create spectacular photo opportunities.
Conclusion
Daigo Town may be known for its waterfall, but its food scene is just as impressive. From Okukuji Shamo chicken and wild eel to apples and hearty local set meals, this mountain town is full of flavors that reflect its nature and culture.
Whether you’re planning a day trip or a longer stay in northern Ibaraki, make Daigo not just a stopover, but a destination worth savoring.
👉 Looking to explore more of Ibaraki? Don’t miss my Ibaraki Travel Guide（Comming soon for more hidden gems, itineraries, and travel inspiration.