Takayama | Kokorotetsuya, a Japanese izakaya serving premium Black Wagyu beef—delicious and affordable!

Heading to Takayama in Japan during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday? It seems almost obligatory to indulge in Wagyu beef while you're here, doesn't it? Most people opt for yakiniku (grilled meat), but grilling it perfectly can be tricky, and having someone grill it for you can be quite pricey. So this time, I skipped yakiniku and went for steak instead. I highly recommend this budget-friendly izakaya, Kokorotetsuya. While the prices are affordable, the quality is anything but. The chef's skills are impressive. I ordered from the specials board: Black Wagyu steak and shrimp vegetable tempura. The Black Wagyu steak, priced at ¥3,560, was cooked to a glistening, tender pink perfection. The sinews were expertly removed, making it easy to bite and melt in your mouth. Achieving a moist, tender texture without being greasy is no small feat—it's truly delicious! The steak was topped with chopped green onions and crispy garlic slices, and served with black pepper, wasabi, and red wine sauce on the side. Surprisingly, the wasabi paired exceptionally well! The shrimp tempura was also juicy and not greasy—a large portion with consistent quality. Even the complimentary edamame was a delightful surprise; it was first grilled on a teppan, giving it a slightly charred exterior that added extra flavor. From now on, I’ll definitely grill edamame before eating—it’s guaranteed to be delicious! Takayama is truly a rural area. Shops start closing around 5 PM, and by 6 PM, the streets are as dark as if it were 10 PM. Do locals really go to bed this early? If the izakaya weren’t near the hotels, the quiet alleys would be completely deserted. The only downside is the all-Japanese menu, which means relying on your phone for translations. But with such tasty and affordable food, the value for money is excellent—definitely worth a try! Kokorotetsuya ✓ Opening hours: 18:00–23:00 ✓ Address: 2 Chome-3-7 Sowamachi, Takayama, Gifu 506-0007