🍽️ Expectations vs. Reality at Dinner
I regret that this review leans toward the critical side.
One of my greatest anticipations for returning to Daikon no Hana was the dinner, showcasing mountain village ingredients. During my previous stay, the food wasn’t groundbreaking, but hot dishes were served properly hot, the vegetables felt fresh, and there was a comforting sense of “home-style mountain cuisine.”
This time, however, the impression could not have been more different.
Every dish felt unrefined and lacking in finesse—rustic not in a charming regional way, but in an unsophisticated, poorly executed sense.
The most disappointing element was temperature.
Dishes that should have been warm arrived lukewarm or cold, with not a hint of steam rising. Some even had a layer of congealed oil. This wasn’t the type of cooling that happens when service is delayed—it felt more like dishes had been pre-prepared and left sitting out, only to be plated and served later. It created the impression of a boxed meal broken apart and rearranged on plates.
For once, my companion and I found ourselves without words, exchanging glances of mutual disappointment instead of conversation.
📖 Chef Transition and Lack of Refinement in Menu Design
The change in culinary direction may be linked to a chef transition.
Looking back at a 2023 menu photo, the name of the previous head chef, Mr. Sawa, was listed. Today, however, the head chef is Mr. Sato.
When Chef Sawa was in charge, the meals weren’t extravagant, but they carried warmth and careful attention to detail. This time, however, each dish lacked a sense of pride and craftsmanship. The overall design of the menu also felt unrefined and directionless.
📖 Missing Precision in the Menu Concept
The contents and flow of the meal itself felt incoherent.
Previously, there was at least a storyline, however modest, tying the meal together. Now, the dishes seemed disjointed, as if the intent behind the pairing of ingredients was unclear.
📷 Dinner photos
- A lukewarm soup course—a dish meant to be the “star” of a Japanese dinner—left me particularly disheartened. To see it treated so carelessly was dismaying.
A fish dish combined with yam had no synergy, producing a jarring clash of flavors.
The so-called “Madeira sauce” was nothing of the sort. It failed to live up to its name, leaving me puzzled as to what it was supposed to be.
🍳 Breakfast Letdowns
Unfortunately, breakfast did not redeem the experience.
The signature rolled omelet (dashimaki tamago), a highlight for many guests, arrived cold and stiff—resembling something from a mass-produced bento. The sense of assembly-line preparation was unmistakable.
None of the breakfast dishes, not even the rice or miso soup, were served steaming hot. Not a single item carried the freshness of being just prepared.
🧐 Overall Impressions
Daikon no Hana remains a ryokan with undeniable appeal—its setting, rooms, and harmony with nature are truly special. Yet this dining experience significantly undermined that value.
Meals form one of the central pillars of a ryokan stay.
Because the onsen, rooms, and natural surroundings are exceptional, the shortcomings of the meals stood out even more starkly. Sadly, this visit left me thinking, “It may be a while before I return.”
I sincerely hope that the dining experience will one day return to a level of refinement befitting this ryokan.
🤝 Familiarity Index 🌏🌏🌏🌏 4 Globes
👉 Click [here] for a full explanation of the Familiarity Index.
🌍🌍🌍🌍🌍 (5 Globes)
Very Easy to Enjoy — Flavors and ingredients are globally familiar, often with Western influences or elements that international guests already love (such as beef, creamy textures, or fusion touches). Approachable and comforting, though from a Japanese perspective they may feel less “purely traditional.”
🌍🌍🌍🌍 (4 Globes)
Mostly Approachable — Primarily Japanese in style, but with gentle flavors or familiar ingredients that make them easy for non-Japanese diners to enjoy. Subtle adaptations or influences may make the dish feel slightly less traditional, but still well-balanced.
🌍🌍🌍 (3 Globes)
Moderately Familiar — A balance of traditional Japanese elements with flavors that remain accessible. Some aspects may feel unique or surprising, but the overall impression is understandable. Often seen as a good “bridge” between cultures.
🌍🌍 (2 Globes)
Challenging but Interesting — Deeply rooted in Japanese culinary culture. Flavors such as fermented notes, delicate broths, or unique textures may feel far from Western-style meals, but rewarding for those who enjoy culinary exploration.
🌍 (1 Globe)
Highly Unfamiliar — Very traditional and often perceived as mysterious or even difficult for non-Japanese palates. These dishes embody the essence of Japan’s food culture, even if they feel distant to global taste.
🏨 Related Article: Room Review
We stayed in the Momiji room during this visit. Read the detailed room review here.
🏨🏨🏨 Other Hotel & Ryokan Reviews
On this blog, I also share reviews of other hotels and ryokans, both in Japan and abroad.
For more, please check the “Domestic Travel” category for a collection of additional reviews.