Enju

Enju Review

Happo-en, a 300-year-old-Japanese garden wrapped around a lake, is the setting for the palatial complex that houses this upscale restaurant, a shrine, and a traditional teahouse. Beautiful scenery aside, the food is what draws locals and visitors again and again. The grand exterior and pristine banquet rooms are somewhat uninviting and overly formal, but the tables overlooking the garden are a tranquil backdrop for an unforgettable meal. Among the pricey prix-fixe dinners are kaiseki, shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, and tempura, and there's also a buffet dinner. Go in the afternoon for a tour of the grounds, sado (tea ceremony), and a seasonal Japanese set lunch for ¥2,625 or ¥3,675. For more casual dinning, Café Thrush, in the same complex, has an open-air terrace with a stunning view of the garden.