Hitsujiya (ひつじや) Murayama

During my trip to Yamagata Prefecture, I was determined to visit this restaurant.They serve 100% home-raised lamb and plenty of fresh vegetables from their own garden.Enjoying exquisite Genghis Khan in a log cabin handmade by the chef's father was a real treat.Although there are limited available dates for reservations, I was thrilled to finally secure one! ✨I finally made it! ❣️The lamb had an incredibly pure flavor, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has previously disliked Genghis Khan!It was hearty and absolutely delicious!Even though I was quite full, I found it interesting that I felt hungry again later that night—perhaps because it was so healthy? ♡The dishes other than Genghis Khan were also incredibly tasty, including the American dog with lamb, which was exceptional.They also offer a course perfect for wine lovers, so definitely try to make a reservation and check it out! ❣️I am grateful for this meal. It was a great meal....Hitsujiya 0237-57-2862 4220-15 Oaza Tominami, Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture *Reservation only Less

I visited this place with four friends for the first time in a year. Last time, we had a course with shabu-shabu, but this time we opted for a course featuring only Jingisukan. We started with a toast and a beer. The first dish was a lamb corn dog, which paired perfectly with the beer. Next, we enjoyed a tangy bread topped with prosciutto, making us crave some wine. I ordered an orange wine from the owner. Then, the main dish of lamb arrived. We began with the internal organs: tongue, heart, and liver, all of which were exquisite. The cuts of meat included thigh, chuck eye roll, and two types of loin, all incredibly delicious. We also ordered red wine and were completely satisfied. Since the lamb is raised on-site, it’s no surprise that it’s delicious, but this restaurant also makes you appreciate the importance and gratitude of consuming living beings. Thank you very much. It was a great meal. Less

Mutton Genghis Khan Course JPY 8,800 Rice JPY 275 Non-Alcoholic Beer JPY 660 Since it’s reservation only, I made a booking a month in advance. I was planning to take a taxi from the hotel near Murayama Station, but it would cost around JPY 3,000 to JPY 4,000 one way. Since I was alone this time, I weighed the cost of alcohol against the round trip fare of JPY 7,000 and reluctantly decided to skip the drinks and drive instead. I arrived about 10 minutes before my reservation, but it was quite remote, and I wondered if I was really in the right place. Without a navigation system, I probably wouldn’t have found it. Upon entering, while waiting for my food, I noticed that there were a few other solo diners at other tables, likely because it was a weekday. As for the food, the two appetizers were mini lamb sausage corn dogs and bruschetta. The lamb sausage had no gamey taste and was packed with rich flavor. The homemade grain mustard complemented it well. The bruschetta had a flavor that was hard to describe, but personally, I didn’t find it to my liking. Next came the fried potatoes topped with cheese snow. They didn’t have any standout features, but they were simply delicious. Then came the main dish, Genghis Khan. The staff taught me the following cooking method: 1. Spread lamb fat evenly over the Genghis Khan grill and place it at the top of the grill. 2. Arrange root vegetables around the edge of the grill (as it heats, the fat will drip down, naturally frying the vegetables). 3. Grill the fatty meat. 4. Spread okahijiki (seaweed) and bean sprouts on the grill, then steam the lean meat on top. Following this order, I found that the fatty meat was incredibly delicious, while the lean meat tasted quite similar to the lamb I usually eat. The sweetness of the fat was truly remarkable, ranking among the best I’ve ever had, not just for lamb but for all meats. It was comparable to the deliciousness of wild boar, which I personally consider my number one. On the other hand, I couldn’t really tell much difference with the lean meat. Overall, I had a very enjoyable experience with the delicious lamb, and I believe it was worth the price considering the quality. It was a great meal! Less

I visited Hitsujiya, a renowned lamb restaurant located in Murayama City, Yamagata Prefecture. This rare establishment offers lamb raised on their own farm, and I had been curious about it for a long time.This time, I enjoyed their popular Genghis Khan course. I was amazed from the first bite—there was absolutely no unpleasant odor typical of lamb. The fat was sweet and refreshing, while the lean meat was packed with rich, natural flavor. When grilled rare and enjoyed with salt or sauce, the juices burst in my mouth, creating an unforgettable taste experience.With a picturesque rural landscape before me, fresh vegetables, and exquisite lamb, this place offers a special dining experience worth the trip.The quality is at a level that will change your perception of lamb. I highly recommend it not only for lamb lovers but also for those who may have a slight aversion to it. For those who enjoy alcohol, I suggest visiting in the evening—you'll definitely want to drink! It was a great meal! Less

The purpose of my trip to Yamagata this time was to visit this restaurant, which was highly recommended by the owner of a certain Genghis Khan establishment shortly after it opened. Finally, I made it here.It seems that the only way to enjoy lamb shabu-shabu is through the full course with pairing priced at JPY 29,700, so I made a reservation on the first day it opened.There were three of us, and the pairing consisted of either four glasses per person or three bottles provided by the restaurant. Upon confirmation, I learned that the pairing wouldn’t amount to one bottle per person, so we opted for the bottles.We could choose one bottle of sparkling wine, and for white and red, we had two options each.The appetizers included pickled vegetables, lamb salami, and lamb corn dogs. Delicious!For the shabu-shabu, we enjoyed lamb collagen and Japanese sake with large clams from Chiba Prefecture for the broth, which we used to cook the lamb loin. Incredibly tasty!The Genghis Khan dish featured six cuts of meat, including tongue. We grilled the tongue and two fatty cuts, while the other three cuts were steamed with vegetables. Absolutely delicious! Surprisingly, the fat-coated bean sprouts were incredibly tasty too!At one point, we were served fried potatoes, which were cut into small chunks instead of thin strips, fried in lamb fat, and topped with cheese. Well, that was delicious!For the finale, we had curry made from the leftover shabu-shabu broth. Hmm, it was a bit salty and not great. It felt like the shabu-shabu broth wasn’t utilized well enough. There’s a course that includes curry, so I wish the full course had something like zosui (rice porridge) or ramen, which would be more fitting for Yamagata...Dessert was sorbet. The customers next to us, who had the Genghis Khan & mini curry course, received cheesecake, which I was looking forward to, but apparently, you need to request it in advance... I wish it was included with the full course.It felt like the second half lost momentum.The restaurant offers three course options:- Genghis Khan Course: JPY 8,800- Genghis Khan & Mini Curry & Dessert Course: JPY 11,000- Full Course with Shabu-Shabu and Pairing: JPY 29,700According to the menu, the mini curry course might also include sausage with the Genghis Khan. The pricing seems a bit unbalanced.While I was satisfied with the wine, considering the price difference with the JPY 11,000 course... Are the cuts of meat served in the Genghis Khan different? Is the tongue only available in the full course? If so, I would appreciate an explanation.The shabu-shabu was delicious, but I’m not sure if I would go for the full course just for that next time. I heard that the shabu-shabu changes with the seasons to include mushrooms and junsai (water shield), but I wonder if the autumn mushrooms would be more satisfying?I feel like the curry made from the shabu-shabu broth was no different from the regular course...I’ve written a lot, but the rarity of being able to eat lamb from their own farm is a unique experience. The distribution of lamb in Japan is very limited.There are things you can only eat here, which makes me want to visit again.On weekdays, it seems you can enjoy the Genghis Khan course even if you’re alone. Since it’s also close to Yamagata Airport, I might consider going again by myself next time. Less

I made a reservation in advance to visit! I usually don’t eat much meat. When I do, it’s typically game like venison or boar, and occasionally bear, so there are times when I go a whole month without eating meat. Because of that, I’m very sensitive to the smell of meat, but the lamb here is always truly delicious! The first dish that came out was "Lamb Salami Bruschetta with Ham and Orange," and I was surprised that I could actually eat salami! It was incredibly tasty. The potatoes sourced from Hitsujiya are sweet and absolutely delicious. I paired it with a Kerner "Norapon Blanc" from the Nougakuzou winery in Hakodate. For the main dish, I enjoyed the Genghis Khan with an Italian Trinchero wine. The vegetables sourced here look incredibly fresh and appetizing! The lamb is always so beautifully presented. Even though it’s an Italian wine, it has a light flavor reminiscent of Japanese wines, which pairs perfectly. I definitely want to introduce this place to my friends; it was the best dining experience! It was a great meal! Less

I wanted to enjoy some delicious Genghis Khan, so I made a reservation for two on Friday at lunchtime.The restaurant is a log cabin located at the foot of a mountain, next to a ranch.Inside, you can truly forget the everyday hustle and enjoy your meal.I pre-ordered the Hitsujiya Genghis Khan Course for JPY 8,800.Compared to the Genghis Khan I’ve had in Tokyo and Hokkaido, this one had no gamey taste and was the most delicious I’ve ever had.The portion was satisfying, especially if you add rice.Although transportation options are limited, it’s definitely worth the visit.It was a great meal. Less

The best Genghis Khan in Japan!It was incredibly delicious. I was especially amazed by the quality of the lamb fat. This is the number one lamb I've ever had in my life. The meat quality is truly outstanding. Even though it's lamb, it has a refined taste that feels almost transparent. Of course, it retains the deliciousness of lamb, but it’s just so elegant. I believe everyone should try this lamb at least once in their lifetime.The appetizers, like the American dog and salami, also left a good impression. I would have loved to order a course with pairings, but I had to forgo that since I came by car. I’m sure I’ll come back here again in my lifetime. I wonder if there’s any Genghis Khan that can surpass this one? I’d like to find out.(I often explore various cuisines, so I gauge the level of the food based on its taste.) Less

Starting tonight, I will be dining at this restaurant.This place is a recipient of the Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze! Reservations are primarily made online.The dates I wanted to visit were fully booked, so I joined the table of someone I would be dining with at Dewaya the next day.Thank you very much for that.The dishes I ordered were:◯ Hitsujiya Genghis Khan Course JPY 8,000 (tax included JPY 8,800)- Genghis Khan, appetizers, French fries, lamb sausage◯ Hitsujiya Genghis Khan with Mini Curry and Dessert Course JPY 10,000 (tax included JPY 11,000)- Genghis Khan, appetizers, French fries, lamb sausage, mini lamb curry, assorted desserts,Coffee or tea or soft drink (can be upgraded to Steuben juice for an additional JPY 110)◯ Hitsujiya Full Lamb Course JPY 27,000 (tax included JPY 29,700)Includes natural wine pairing (non-alcoholic pairing available for designated drivers)- Appetizers, shabu-shabu, Genghis Khan, French fries, mini lamb curry, dessert, coffee or tea*For 2 to 6 guests (additional guests can be discussed)I opted for the mini curry course.◯ Sheep Dog◯ On homemade bread:Prosciutto, marinated orange, arugula, kiwi, and cherriesVegetables:Onion, carrot, bean sprouts, myoga, eggplant, green beans, asparagus, okahijiki, safflower leavesLamb meatMini curryCheesecakeMilk ice creamCherry compoteCherriesCoffeeThe lamb was incredibly fresh, with no strong gamey flavor, and it was very delicious.It was a great meal! Less

The fresh, self-raised Genghis Khan enjoyed in a log house in Murayama is exceptional. The beautifully marbled meat is surprisingly tender and completely free of any unpleasant odors. The rich flavor of the fat placed on the teppan seeps into the generous portions of fresh vegetables like asparagus, zucchini, and red onions, making it incredibly delicious. Not only the meat, but also the stylish appetizers like mini lamb dogs and fruit showcase the restaurant's attention to detail, ensuring a truly satisfying experience. Less

A long-awaited visit to Hitsujiya.Before arriving at the restaurant, I saw some sheep, and I was excited to finally reach the front of the restaurant.The wooden building made me feel thrilled! This time, I came with four foodie friends.We ordered a course meal and a bottle of wine.Starting with American dogs, we enjoyed appetizers, vegetables, lamb, potatoes, and curry—a truly satisfying course!The lamb was incredibly tender and fresh, making it absolutely delicious.We started with salt, then moved on to the sauce. The sauce was different from the usual ones, with a gentle flavor that allowed us to fully appreciate the umami of the lamb.The lamb fat was also delicious, enhancing the flavor of the grilled vegetables.This is a place that would satisfy anyone! I truly believe it ranks among the top for Genghis Khan restaurants.I would love to visit again if the opportunity arises!୨୧ ┈┈ ┈┈ ┈┈ ┈┈ ┈┈ ┈┈ ┈┈ ୨୧ ⌘Scene⌘ Private ⌘Reservation⌘ Walk-in ⌘Visit Count⌘ First time ⌘Overall Rating⌘ Nate Star ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ * Nate Star GOOD ⭐︎ VERY GOOD ⭐︎⭐︎ EXCELLENT ⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎ ◎ Highlights of particularly delicious dishes and recommendations to try.Thank you for a wonderful evening!୨୧ ┈┈ ┈┈ ┈┈ ┈┈ ┈┈ ┈┈ ┈┈ ୨୧ Thank you for reading until the end! I appreciate likes, comments, and saves! ♡ ̖´- Less

I visited Hitsujiya for the first time since last autumn. It’s a must-visit whenever I come to Yamagata.【Visit Date】★June XX, 2026, 18:30 - 21:00【Reservation】★Yes (made an online reservation via TableCheck)【Number of People】★4【Order Type】★Selected a course at the time of reservation (this day’s course included lamb curry with the Genghis Khan course)【Food / Drinks】★Sheep Dog★Prosciutto★Genghis Khan Set★Cheese Potato★Lamb Curry★Dessert(Drinks)★Wine and more【Total Bill】★Approximately JPY 19,000 per person (paid by card) Less