If you find yourself in Gifu, you must visit Yanagiya, located deep in the mountains of Mizunami.As I drove further away from the city, I wondered if there really was a restaurant out here. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a building that looked nothing like a high-end urban restaurant; it resembled a traditional farmhouse. The journey to get here already felt like a departure from an ordinary dining experience.Inside, each table had a sunken hearth, and the dining style involved enjoying meals around the charcoal fire. The rustic atmosphere of the farmhouse truly made me feel like I had come to savor mountain cuisine.One of the standout features of Yanagiya is that the menu changes with the seasons. In spring, you can enjoy wild vegetables; in summer, sweetfish and eel; in autumn, mushrooms; and in winter, game meat, all centered around the blessings of the mountains and rivers, served as an omakase.This time, I focused on the seasonal mountain and river delicacies.What left a lasting impression on me was the food cooked over the hearth. The aroma of the charcoal infused into the ingredients, creating a taste that was completely different from what I usually eat. The river fish, like sweetfish, tasted especially fragrant when enjoyed fresh off the grill.And of course, when you think of Yanagiya, you think of game meat.I had expected the venison and other meats to have a strong gamey flavor, but they were surprisingly mild, allowing me to fully appreciate the natural umami of the meat. It’s no wonder that many reviews rave about the game and seasonal mountain delicacies.The portions were quite generous, and even if I thought I could handle it at first, the dishes kept coming, leaving me quite full by the end.What’s most interesting is that the experience of traveling all the way to the mountains of Mizunami to dine here is an adventure in itself.In fact, I read a review from someone who visited during a business trip from Nagoya, stating, "The journey to get here was long, but it became a delightful memory," which I believe captures the charm of this restaurant perfectly.