Questions
Frequently asked questions
Access, opening hours, reservations, seating, food, drinks, courses and payment. Where we do not have a fixed answer we say so, and ask you to check with us — we would rather do that than guess.
Access to the Asahi-cho dining area by Hikone Station, and opening hours
How do I get there from Hikone Station?
It is a 3-minute walk from JR Hikone Station. The address is 7-23 Asahi-cho, Hikone, Shiga.
What are your opening hours?
Monday to Friday: 17:00-24:00. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays: 14:00-24:00. Last orders: food 23:00, drinks 23:30.
What day are you closed?
We are open every day. When we are closed on a particular day we post it under News.
I am looking for lunch near Hikone Station — are you open during the day?
Not on weekdays — we open at 17:00 Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays we open at 14:00, so daytime visits are possible.
How late can I order?
23:00 for food and 23:30 for drinks.
I am looking for somewhere near Hikone Station for a second stop — can we come in late?
We are open until midnight. A glass of wine and a single pizza is a perfectly normal order.
We are driving to Hikone — is there parking?
We have no car park of our own. If you are driving, please use one of the pay car parks around Hikone Station.
Is there a service charge?
Yes. A 5% service charge is added to the bill (10% between 11 and 16 August, excluding course menus).
Reservations
Do I need to book?
Friday to Sunday and public holidays fill up, so we recommend booking. On a weekday you can often walk in.
How do I book?
Online through the reservation page, or by telephone on 0749-27-3377. The phone is easiest to reach after we open (17:00 on weekdays, 14:00 at weekends).
Can I book for today?
Please call us. We will tell you honestly whether we can fit you in.
How far in advance should I book for a large group?
For December and the welcome and farewell party season, as early as you can. For 20 guests or more, please call rather than booking online.
What if I am running late?
Please call us as soon as you know. We will hold the table as long as we can.
Can I change the number of guests after booking?
Yes, if you tell us early. For courses we prepare ingredients in advance, so the sooner the better.
Is there a cancellation fee?
Because courses and private hire mean buying ingredients in advance, a cancellation fee may apply. We will tell you the amount and the conditions when you book, so please let us know of any change as early as you can.
Can I book a specific seat, like the counter?
Tell us your preference when you book and we will do our best, though we cannot guarantee a particular seat.
Seating and the space — for a date, a girls' night or a birthday in Hikone
How many seats are there?
47 seats in all: 34 at tables, 13 at the counter, plus a terrace.
I am looking for an Italian restaurant in Hikone with a private room — do you have one?
There is no private room. The tables and the terrace can be used by a group together. Whether we can screen off an area depends on the date and the number of guests, so please ask when you book.
Is there a terrace?
Yes, on the street side. It is the one place where smoking is allowed.
Can I come alone to a bar in Asahi-cho, by Hikone Station?
Of course. The counter faces the kitchen and is an easy place to sit alone. A glass and a single plate is a perfectly normal order.
I am looking for a non-smoking Italian restaurant in Hikone — can you smoke here?
Inside is entirely non-smoking. You may smoke on the terrace.
I am looking for somewhere near Hikone Station for a date — is it alright for two?
The counter, which faces the kitchen, suits two people. If it is a special occasion, tell us when you book.
I am looking for a restaurant in Hikone we can take children to — are children welcome?
Yes, very much so. Children are welcome. Let us know when you book and we will find you a suitable table.
I am looking for somewhere by Hikone Station for a girls' night — how many of us can you take?
There is a girls' night plan at 4,400 yen with free-flow drinks, Sunday to Thursday. The number we can take for a party or a private hire depends on the date, so please call us. The terrace is popular in warm weather.
I want to celebrate a birthday or an anniversary by Hikone Station — can you help with that?
Please tell us when you book. We will arrange what we can, and you can ask about bringing a cake as well.
Can I pay with electronic money?
Electronic money cannot be used. Please pay by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club) or with PayPay.
Food — Omi beef steak and oven-baked pizza
It is my first time eating Omi beef — what do you recommend?
The Omi beef, and the Neapolitan pizza from our oven. If you want one plate that explains us, take today's 100g Omi beef steak at 2,178 yen.
Is the Omi beef really Omi beef?
Yes. Omi beef is the brand beef of Shiga, and the cuts on the menu change through the year.
What is the Rossini?
Omi beef fillet with foie gras, finished with a red wine sauce. It is the centrepiece of the 7,700 yen premium course.
I am looking for oven-baked Neapolitan pizza in Hikone — what is your pizza like?
Neapolitan pizza, baked in our pizza oven. Ten in all, from 1,419 yen for the margherita to 1,749 yen.
I am looking for somewhere in Hikone to eat Omi beef at a fair price. Do you buy whole animals?
We buy Omi beef a whole animal at a time, which is how we can offer everything from the rarer cuts to the finest ones: today's 100g steak at 2,178 yen, a 200g two-cut plate at 3,828 yen and a 400g three-cut plate at 4,378 yen.
Do you use local vegetables?
Yes — there is a bagna cauda of Omi vegetables at 1,309 yen. What is on the plate depends on what comes in.
Can you handle allergies?
Please tell us before you order, or when you book if you are having a course. We will do what we can, and we will say clearly if a dish cannot be changed.
Are there vegetarian options?
We do not have a fixed vegetarian menu. Tell us in advance and we will put together what we can from the vegetables and the pizza.
How much is the Omi beef steak?
Today's 100g Omi beef steak is 2,178 yen, the 200g two-cut premium steak is 3,828 yen, and the 400g triple steak of Omi beef, Kurao pork and Omi chicken is 4,378 yen.
How many pizzas are there?
Ten in all, from 1,419 yen for the margherita to 1,749 yen.
Drinks — wine and free-flow
I am looking for an Italian by Hikone Station with wine. How large is the list?
They are kept in a cellar you are welcome to walk into. Tell us the dish and your budget and we will choose.
Can I have wine by the glass?
Yes. Ask what is open tonight — it changes.
What else do you have besides wine?
Beer, whisky, shochu, sake, cocktails and soft drinks.
I am looking for fresh pasta in Hikone. What is it like?
We take delivery of fresh pasta from the noodle maker every day, and match a different shape to each sauce. Seven in all, from 1,199 to 1,859 yen.
Do the courses include free-flow drinks?
Yes. The 5,500, 6,600 and 7,700 yen courses all come with 150 minutes of free-flow drinks (last orders 30 minutes before the end).
Is there anything for people who do not drink?
Yes, soft drinks are available. Please tell us when you book if someone in the group is not drinking.
Courses, parties and private hire in Hikone
I am looking for a party course with free-flow drinks by Hikone Station — how much are the courses?
A course of grilled Kurao pork with twelve starters at 5,500 yen, a 6,600 yen course with grilled Omi beef and salmon staub rice, and a 7,700 yen premium course with the rossini.
How many people can you seat for a party?
It depends on the date, so please call us. For 20 guests or more, please contact us before booking online.
I am looking for somewhere in Hikone we can hire privately — from how many guests?
Yes. The number we can take depends on the date, so please call us before booking online.
Is there a time limit on a party?
It depends on the day and the size of the party. We tell you when we take the booking.
Can we bring a cake?
Please ask when you book. Tell us the time you would like it brought out and we will arrange what we can.
I want to know what to budget for Omi beef in Hikone — what is the guide price?
À la carte, today's 100g Omi beef steak is 2,178 yen, pizza starts at 1,419 yen and fresh pasta at 1,199 yen. Courses start at 5,500 yen.
Payment and other questions
I am looking for a cashless-friendly place in Hikone — which credit cards do you take?
Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express and Diners Club.
Can I pay with a QR code payment?
Yes, PayPay is accepted.
Can we split the bill?
Please tell us before we bring the bill and we will do what we can. On a busy night, one payment for the table is quicker.
How many people can the terrace take?
The terrace takes up to eight people. It is also the only place where smoking is allowed.
Can you do a celebration plate?
Yes — we can prepare a birthday plate. Please let us know when you book.
If your question is not here, call us on 0749-27-3377 once we open, or write to us and we will reply.