HIKARIYA NISHI

HIKARIYA NISHI, located in the historic castle town of Matsumoto, brings a refined and quiet contemporary sensibility to the Shinshu area’s culinary heritage. The restaurant occupies a beautifully restored 19th-century rice storehouse that once formed part of a merchant residence, blending its Meiji-era architecture with a warm, modern interior. This unique setting provides the backdrop for a dining experience that reinterprets local food culture through the lens of French gastronomy.

Executive Chef Tanabe Masahiro leads the kitchen with a philosophy he calls “Nature French.” After training in Michelin-starred restaurants in France and other renowned European establishments, Tanabe returned to Japan to explore the possibilities of Shinshu ingredients. His cuisine draws on the principles of macrobiotics and food education, resulting in dishes that are both deeply rooted in nature and elegantly contemporary.

The menu showcases the region’s bounty: river fish from the nearby Northern Alps’ clear waters, foraged mountain vegetables, and heirloom local produce. Seasonal expression is central to Tanabe’s cooking, and each course highlights subtle shifts in climate and landscape. House-made botanical beverages—crafted from local herbs, fruits, and fermented ingredients—complement the cuisine and reflect the area’s long fermentation traditions.

As Nagano Prefecture’s only Relais & Châteaux member restaurant, HIKARIYA NISHI has earned international recognition and appears in leading global gourmet guides. Whether guests choose the lunch “QUEUE DE LAPIN ” menu or the evening “Wellness Gastronomy” course, they encounter a thoughtful, nature-driven approach that honors the past while pointing toward a new, wellness-focused future for Shinshu cuisine.