SHÓKUDŌ YArn (SHOKUDO YArn) Komatsu

I was invited by a foodie friend to visit Komatsu. I thought it was quite far, but decided to go for it, so I booked a hotel and spent a night in Komatsu, Ishikawa. After checking in at the hotel near the station and dropping off my luggage, I got back in the car to head to the restaurant. Since there were no cars in the parking lot, I wondered if no one was there yet, so I killed some time at a nearby shop. I found some cute geta (traditional wooden sandals), but they didn’t fit. I had to give up on the ones I wanted, but I wanted to find something I truly liked. The restaurant opens at 6 PM, so I returned. Taking photos of the dishes used to be prohibited, but now it’s allowed, so I decided to capture some shots. However, the number of dishes I could photograph was determined by a gacha (capsule toy) machine. We had a private party of 11 people. From two gacha machines, we drew numbers 1 to 3, which determined how many dishes we could photograph. But everyone had to agree on which dishes to take pictures of, which was quite a challenge with so many people. I wish we could have photographed the first two dishes before the gacha. We ended up with numbers 2 and 3, allowing us to photograph 5 dishes. I heard there used to be a number 0, but it has been removed now. Both photos and videos were allowed. The menu was filled with puns and jokes, making it a fun restaurant with a playful spirit. I learned a lot from this experience. It was a great meal. Less

It takes about 15 minutes by taxi from Komatsu Station. The location isn't the best, but I made my first visit to the popular SHOKUDO YArn.This innovative SHOKUDO offers dishes that stimulate all five senses, primarily using ingredients from Ishikawa Prefecture.I was lucky to secure a reservation for lunch on the day my friend was visiting Kanazawa, so we met at Komatsu Station. I was worried about the taxi situation, but there were plenty available.Meals start simultaneously, so punctuality is crucial. Upon entering the restaurant, I was guided to a counter where six seats were lined up. This time, there were two groups of three starting together.First, we were served a welcome drink—a blend of matcha and ginger ale, accompanied by a refreshing melon jelly and rare Jamon prosciutto. I was blown away right from the start.After that impressive introduction, they asked about drinks. When I inquired about pairing options, I was delighted to learn it would be around JPY 7000. This meant I could fully immerse myself in the meal.At this point, a photo-taking lottery was introduced. It was entertaining, but it also showed the restaurant's effort to consider the timing of dish presentations. I managed to get the MAX prize. We could choose two people from our group to participate in the lottery, and the number of dishes could be combined.When I wanted to take a photo of a dish, I would ring a switch to signal my intention (laughs). The first time I rang it, I felt a bit nervous.Now, the main event begins, but I realized that writing it all out would make for a lengthy text, so I noted the details in the captions.Every dish and the paired drinks were simply outstanding, far exceeding my expectations. The hospitality was top-notch, and I can count on one hand the number of places where I've felt this good while dining.My wife immediately mentioned wanting to come back with friends and our daughter.While frequent visits may be difficult, this restaurant has become an important part of my life. Less

【Address】1-37-1 Yoshitake-cho, Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture10 minutes by car from Komatsu Station20 minutes by car from Komatsu Airport【Restaurant Introduction】An innovative restaurant that operates on a reservation-only basis.It focuses on local ingredients, as well as the water and tableware crafted by local artisans, allowing guests to enjoy the region's bounty through all five senses.The menu features playful names that not only delight the palate but also engage the mind, creating excitement about what will be served next.SILVER 2022, 2022, 2019BRONZE 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2021Innovative Cuisine - Selected as one of the Top 100 Restaurants 2025【Established】Chef Yuji Yoneda trained for five and a half years in Italy to master the fundamentals of cooking, followed by a year and a half in Spain at the world-renowned three-star restaurant "El Bulli" to learn cutting-edge techniques. After returning to Japan, he studied Japanese cuisine and tea ceremony at the traditional kaiseki restaurant "Tsuzura" (Michelin two stars) to embody the spirit of Japanese culture. In August 2015, he opened his restaurant after beautifully renovating his wife's family's twisting factory warehouse.【Visit Time, Wait Time, and Restaurant Crowding】Visit Time: Around 18:10 on a weekdayWait Time: 20 minutesSimultaneous Start: 18:30Crowding: 100% (3 groups)Reservation Policy: Reservation only【Heisei's Famous Water Selection】The water used in the dishes is sourced from the sacred water of the Iizumi Kannon Mountain in Nomi City, Ishikawa Prefecture, recognized as one of Heisei's Famous Water Selections.【Menu】Lunch: SHOKUDO YArn Short MenuDinner: SHOKUDO YArn Menu【Ordered Items】Dinner: SHOKUDO YArn Menu(13 dishes) JPY 22,000【Two Rules】There are two rules to follow at this restaurant:1. The menu is not publicly disclosed.2. Photography of the dishes is not allowed without prior notice. If you wish to take photos, you must declare it in advance and can only take as many photos as the number of wooden tokens drawn from a capsule toy machine. In this instance, I drew five tokens.【Taste and Content】As the menu (13 dishes) cannot be disclosed, I will introduce the dishes I was able to photograph (names, taste, and content).Photo 1:Dish Name: "Noto Hiba Aroma Chopsticks"The course begins with the Noto Hiba aroma chopsticks, which emit a subtle wooden fragrance when held. They can be taken home, and I still occasionally use my favorite pair at home.Photo 2:Dish Name: "Feeling the Arrival of Spring..."It seems there are two cans involved (laughs). The description mentions "the 4-year-old child of the Iwashita family" (it includes sardines, bamboo shoots, and four types of wild vegetables). The fatty sardines have a rich umami flavor, while the bamboo shoots are fresh and have a crisp sweetness. The wild vegetables are generously drizzled with olive oil, enhancing the aroma and richness of the ingredients. This dish beautifully combines the flavors of the sea and mountains, capturing the essence of the season.Photo 3:Dish Name: "Tsuki Ken Hon Sakana Yu"This is a rare tuna cutlet made from Katsuo.Photo 4:Dish Name: "Shoecake"A dessert served on a slipper. The visual impact made everyone laugh, but the taste was equally impressive. The slipper was reportedly made with a 3D printer and was a women's size (laughs).Photo 5:Dish Name: "Funny Stone"Only two pieces are real chocolate, while the rest are uniquely presented as stones (on the right). The chocolate contains macadamia nuts.【Interior】The interior retains beams from the factory era, creating a warm and calming wooden atmosphere. There are 14 seats available (including private rooms).【Service】The service is playful, homey, and friendly. The chef, staff, and customers all enjoyed solving puzzles together, creating an experience akin to participatory entertainment.【Business Hours】Tuesday to Saturday and Holidays:Dinner: 18:30 - 22:30Friday, Saturday, and Holidays:Lunch: 12:00 - 14:30Closed on Mondays and Sundays.Thank you for reading this lengthy report until the end! Less

Dinner started at 18:30.Our final sightseeing stop for the day was Ishikawa Prefectural Airport Plaza, where we experienced the YS-11 flight simulator. After that, we also used the Aero Subaru simulator, but it closed at 17:00.We arrived at SHOKUDO YArn at 17:45, and spent some time exploring the town to work up an appetite!Finally, the doors opened right on time—let the show begin!It was just us and a newlywed couple, a luxurious start for the four of us.We received the menu, and Mrs. Asami Shibata provided detailed explanations.Owner Yuji Shibata could be seen through the glass.The interior, designed like a traditional Japanese house, features automatic sliding doors that open and close quietly, thanks to numerous hidden sensors—such a thoughtful touch.In the courtyard, there are olive trees aged between 200 and 300 years.The ceiling is adorned with glass, allowing natural light to shine through.At night, the spotlights create an atmosphere that feels like day and night don’t exist—just like the skies of Spain.Now, just as we were about to start with the appetizers, a coin gacha machine appeared!Each person received one coin, one YArn each.Due to past experiences and requests, the no-photo coins are gone, and now there’s a chance to take 1 to 3 photos per capsule.(In the past, there were times when photography was prohibited!)My wife and I got two capsules; she was allowed to take the maximum of three photos, while I got two, totaling five photos for five dishes.The menu was a mystery, a thriller, so we had to declare in advance whether we would take photos or not.If we missed, there was a tablet-sized wet napkin on the menu that made us laugh!The owner, surprisingly quick-witted, provided comedic commentary, saying, "Please crack the raw egg on the stone."I mistakenly thought it was a boiled egg and gently tapped it around to create a crack.The owner hurriedly corrected me, saying, "It’s a raw egg. Don’t break it!"—we all laughed.My wife placed the shell in a rice bowl, turning the Kutani ware into a trash bin!This led to a comedic exchange between the owner, my wife, and me.As a result, the contents of the raw egg turned out to be flavored ice cream or Bavarian cream—a delicious dessert that was cold and subtly sweet.There were four plush chickens in a basket, clucking away, representing the fresh eggs.This was the conclusion about the raw egg!The owner raises these chickens himself, and they definitely looked like "raw eggs!"My wife asked for a refill of black tea, which was a special request at ¥24,000 for 100g.The owner and his wife are struggling with rising prices and sourcing ingredients.The taste of the bear and deer game dishes was outstanding—delicious!The deep-fried young sweetfish covered in dashi caramel was also exquisite.Every dish was meticulously crafted, with detailed explanations provided each time.In total, we spent four hours enjoying this course meal.We laughed, pondered, solved mysteries, and were satisfied with the explanations.What will our next connection be? Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Shibata!It was a wonderful meal, and we are grateful! Less

I had been curious about this restaurant for a long time. When I finally had the chance to visit Ishikawa, I was able to stop by. The menu featured creatively crafted dishes, each made with great care. It felt like a riddle, as I was excited to see what kind of dishes would be served each time—there was a delightful sense of entertainment in the experience. The drink pairings included everything from wine to local sake, allowing me to fully enjoy the meal. I truly admire the effort that goes into creating such a unique menu. The focus on local tableware and ingredients makes this place truly special. Less

Located just a 10-15 minute drive from Komatsu Station, SHOKUDO YArn is an innovative dining establishment.Not only is the food exceptional, but the presentation and serving style also contribute to its high ratings. It has been recognized as one of the top 100 innovative restaurants for creative cuisine in 2025, and has received Tabelog Silver and Bronze awards from 2017 to 2026.While photography of all dishes is prohibited, there is a fun system where you can draw a gacha and take photos of the number of winning items you get. However, posting the menu on social media is not allowed.Here are the dishes we enjoyed:-----------------------------◾️ Tea We started the course with a unique dish from Ishikawa: ginger ale made with tea instead of ginger. This drink combines the aroma of tea with the refreshing fizz of carbonation, creating a taste unlike anything I've had before.◾️ Butterbur Sprouts The tempura of butterbur sprouts has a delightful bitterness. The crunchy texture and the unique flavor of the mountain vegetables are simply irresistible.◾️ Sardines Served in an aluminum can, this dish of marinated sardines brings back memories of school lunches. The umami of the sardines combined with a hint of acidity is very appetizing.◾️ Bamboo Shoots This dish features bamboo shoots and mountain vegetables, enhanced with olive oil and rosemary, capturing the essence of spring. The refreshing aroma of rosemary is particularly memorable.◾️ Firefly Squid A creative dish where the miso of firefly squid is frozen like chocolate and then melted into a hot risotto. The warm and cold textures blend together in your mouth, allowing the flavor of the firefly squid to unfold beautifully.◾️ Spinach Named "Monkuro" (a play on Mont Blanc), this dish is an interesting creation. "Blanc" means white in French, and this dish resembles a black Mont Blanc.◾️ Sweetfish This seasonal dish features sweetfish marinated in nanban sauce, served in a dish designed to resemble a pond. The bitterness of the sweetfish harmonizes perfectly with the sweet and sour nanban sauce, and the crunchy texture is delightful.◾️ Tuna Thickly sliced tuna is prepared as a slightly rare cutlet. The crispy coating and the moist umami of the red meat create a wonderful balance, making it very satisfying to eat.◾️ Wild Boar The main dish features crispy, aromatic wild boar meat grilled to perfection, served with mountain vegetables. The robust flavor of the wild boar and the refreshing aroma of the mountain vegetables create an exquisite balance.◾️ Dessert The dessert resembles a shortcake served in a shoe-shaped dish. It has a fluffy texture and rich cream flavor, yet it remains light and not overly sweet, which is its charm.-----------------------------The owner and staff provide attentive service, and the spacious, sophisticated atmosphere makes for a wonderfully comfortable dining experience. I highly recommend visiting!Thank you for the meal!*Instagram Gourmet Account https://www.instagram.com/shunsuke.naka/ (Over 10,000 followers!)*Gourmet Blog https://syn-gourmet.com*Comprehensive Links https://lit.link/syngourmet Less

I visited SHOKUDO YArn, an innovative restaurant located in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, that makes abundant use of local Hokuriku ingredients. Housed in a renovated yarn factory, this charming restaurant has a warm wooden interior that creates a cozy atmosphere from the moment you step inside!The dishes are not only delicious but also visually delightful, filled with playful elements that make you smile. The unique system where the number of photos you can take is determined randomly adds an interesting twist, and while it’s a bit disappointing not to capture everything, it contributes to the overall entertainment experience.Each plate has its own surprises, allowing you to not just eat, but also see, be amazed, laugh, and savor the flavors!With a generous use of Hokuriku ingredients, I truly felt it was worth the trip to Ishikawa. The culinary world they create is well-defined yet not overly formal, making for a consistently comfortable dining experience.This restaurant offers not just delicious food but also memorable fun.It’s about a 10-minute taxi ride from Komatsu Station and around 20 minutes from Komatsu Airport, making it a great addition to your Hokuriku travel plans. Since it operates on a reservation-only basis, I recommend booking in advance.It was a great meal!------------------------Thank you for reading to the end! I would be very happy if you could "like, save the restaurant, and follow" me! I want to share many wonderful places! ⭐︎ Less