Ryotei Yamasa Ryokan (料亭 やまさ旅館) Usa

I had turtle cuisine for the first time in several years.After actually trying it, I completely understand why so many people come to this restaurant.The turtle is meticulously prepared, and you can feel the care put into each dish. There was no unpleasant odor at all, and it paired perfectly with yuzu pepper. Even the broth, infused with umami, was delicious down to the last drop.They also have a great selection of locally produced wines, and it was a delightful surprise to discover how well turtle dishes and wine complement each other.If I have the chance to visit the area again, I would definitely love to stop by and even stay overnight. Less

I visited Usa City and Anjuin to enjoy some soft-shelled turtle cuisine.The restaurant is located within a ryokan, and I was guided to a private room with a view of the greenery outside. It’s a calm space where you can enjoy your meal at a leisurely pace.This time, I ordered the popular "Oishikyushin Course" (JPY 14,300, tax included).The course includes fresh blood, vinegared raw liver, blanched turtle skin, soup, sashimi, kara-age, grilled liver, charcoal-grilled turtle, chawanmushi, soft-shelled turtle hot pot, zosui (rice porridge), pickles, and dessert—a truly comprehensive soft-shelled turtle feast.First, I tried the fresh blood. It’s mixed with orange juice, making it surprisingly easy to drink, yet it has a strong impact that says, "You’re about to enjoy soft-shelled turtle!"The following dishes of raw liver and blanched turtle skin are only possible due to their freshness. Since these are not something you encounter often, I felt it was worth visiting just for these.The soft-shelled turtle soup has a unique, earthy flavor, but it’s not overwhelmingly strong; its deep richness is impressive. It has a taste that seeps into your body.The sashimi, kara-age, grilled liver, and charcoal-grilled turtle felt like enjoying high-quality local chicken, with hardly any distinctive gaminess. Each dish allowed me to appreciate the different cooking methods.Towards the end, I savored the zosui made from the rich flavors of the soft-shelled turtle hot pot. By this point, I was quite full, but the final watermelon reset my palate, allowing me to conclude the course pleasantly.This luxurious course lets you enjoy ingredients that are not commonly experienced, prepared in various ways without getting bored. For anyone interested in soft-shelled turtle cuisine, I believe this renowned restaurant is worth a visit. Less

A Tabelog Top 100 Restaurant, awarded the Bronze Award.Here, you can enjoy Oita's famous soft-shelled turtle cuisine at a very reasonable price.The establishment combines a ryokan and a restaurant, and this time I only had the meal during lunch hours.Reservations are essential, and I made a phone call in advance. The staff was very friendly, which left a great impression even before my visit.I reserved a lunch course and visited the restaurant.It’s not located on a major street but rather tucked away on a small side street, exuding the charm of a refined Japanese inn.Dining in a private room filled with a traditional Japanese atmosphere, I could see the garden through the window.I started with the soft-shelled turtle's emperor sashimi, live blood, liver, heart, and soft roe, served in a style similar to appetizers.The emperor had a delightful crunchy texture.The live blood was mixed with orange juice, making it easy to drink without any strong taste.The internal organs of the soft-shelled turtle looked very fresh, and I could enjoy the unique textures of each part.Next was the soft-shelled turtle hot pot.The pot and dishes were shaped like the turtle, making for an appealing presentation. Surprisingly, there was plenty of both vegetables and turtle to enjoy.The texture was similar to chicken, with a firm meat.The homemade ponzu and yuzu pepper added a very refined flavor.The finale was soft-shelled turtle zosui (rice porridge), rich in flavor from the broth and delicious.For dessert, I had vanilla ice cream and tea.The selection of alcoholic beverages, including Japanese sake, was excellent. Since I drove this time, I didn’t have any alcohol, but the homemade soft drinks were also delicious.The staff's service was exceptional, allowing for a comfortable two-hour dining experience. Less

I made a reservation for the weekday-only lunch set meal featuring soft-shelled turtle. Since it was my first time trying soft-shelled turtle, I opted for this special lunch set. I also ordered grilled liver as an extra.The turtle's skin was wonderfully chewy and had a unique texture I had never experienced before. The kara-age (fried turtle) was packed with flavor, tender yet meaty, and the grilled liver had no unpleasant odor, boasting a strong sweetness that was unlike anything I had tasted before. To finish, I enjoyed a soft-shelled turtle hot pot, rich in collagen. I added homemade yuzu pepper for a flavor twist, making for a truly satisfying lunch. I look forward to trying the dinner course next time! Less

I made a reservation for 11 AM at Ryotei Yamasa Ryokan 10 days ago.Located at 1785 Shimoke, Anjuin-cho, Usa City, Oita Prefecture, this restaurant has been in business since 1920.Upon arrival, I was guided to a private room, as all rooms are private.I had placed my order over the phone:● Ajimu Soft-Shelled Turtle Hot Pot CourseFresh blood, vinegared raw liver, and blanched turtle skin,soft-shelled turtle hot pot, rice porridge, pickles, and vanilla ice cream.Additionally, I ordered:● Soft-Shelled Turtle Sashimi.The soft-shelled turtle hot pot was similar to chicken, but the fat was even lighter.Packed with collagen, I’m sure it’s great for my skin!The secret homemade vinegar soy sauce was slightly sweet,and when paired with the homemade yuzu pepper, it tripled the deliciousness—absolutely amazing! The sashimi had a bit of a chewy texture, somewhat similar to sea bream,but it felt more like eating horse sashimi than fish!Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the soft-shelled turtle in the comfort of a private room!If you’re in the area, I highly recommend visiting.It was a great meal! Less

I enjoyed the Delicious Pursuit Course. The first dish featured the liver of the soft-shelled turtle, which had a subtle bitterness and aroma that created an unparalleled flavor experience. The sashimi had a chewy texture reminiscent of horse sashimi, yet it was leaner, releasing umami flavors with each bite, similar to seafood. My favorite was definitely the grilled liver. The selection of Japanese sake was impressive, and the pairing recommended by the owner was exceptional. Thank you for an exquisite experience! I will work hard to come back again! Less