Orchard Restaurant
Unforgettable Fine Dining Experience in the middle of an Orchard
The idyllic orchard town of Matsukawa in Nagano provides the stage for our experience.
Matsukawa is a well-known fruit picking destination with a long-standing fruit farming tradition that goes back over 100 years. From June to November, there is always some fruit ripening on the trees- cherries, blueberries, peaches, and plums in the summer; grapes, pears, and apples in autumn.
Here, immersed in the picturesque beauty of Matsukawa’s time-honored orchards, you can embark on an innovative farm-to-table experience.
About
Bringing the farm to the restaurant table hardly seemed enough, so we decided to go even further and bring the restaurant tables to the farm. The tree trunks are our walls and the foliage is our roof.
Come enjoy the magical atmosphere of Matsukawa’s orchards- spaces born from the encounter of nature, agriculture, history, and tradition.
Sampling the food where it was grown makes it taste even better.
Orchard Restaurant Matsukawa, our unique alfresco dining experience, opened in Matsukawa (Nagano) on October 8th, 2022. It offers the unique chance of feasting on a full-course meal in the fairytale-like atmosphere of an orchard. You can dine while surrounded by tree branches ripen with fruit, the breathtaking view of the Alps rising up in the background.
Schedule
Orchard Restaurant Matsukawa is held every weekend from April to November, each time at a different orchard. The meeting time is set in advance, and the event starts once all participants show up.
Borrowing from the European wine tour tradition, we begin with a short tour of the grounds. The owner shows us around their orchard, sharing the secrets to grow top-quality fruit and offering fruit tasting when in season. Toward the end of the guided walk, we gather at the orchard’s most scenic spot to enjoy a simple aperitif of locally brewed hard cider together.
This is the time to ask your questions or simply enjoy the farmer’s company.
Once all glasses are emptied, we head to the restaurant area to sit and dine.
Menu
Following the steps of the farm-to-table philosophy, all our main ingredients come from the local farms of Matsukawa Town and the Ina Valley.
The Ina Valley is a treasure trove for fresh products- fruit but also organic vegetables, freshwater fish, and even pork and wild game.
The area is also characterized by a thriving cider and wine scene. The three breweries in town produce various alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks made with fruit from their own farms.
The menu is made up of seven courses: amuse-bouche, cold appetizer, hot appetizer, soup, main dish, dessert, and coffee or tea. This is a staple, but every other aspect of the meal changes with the season.
Example of Menu
Calendar
The restaurant is open from April to November.
Please check the calendar for the exact business days.
Price
Basic Plan (Orchard Restaurant only)
●Adults (13 or older)
14,000 Yen per person (tax included)
※Guided walk, aperitif, full-course dinner, and gift included
●Children (6~12)
3,000 Yen per person (tax included)
※Children menu includes only soup, main dish and dessert
Children aged 5 or younger do not have to pay, but we cannot provide a special menu or baby chair for them.
Stay Plan (Seiryuen)
Stay at local Onsen Hotel (breakfast included) + Dinner at orchard
*All prices are tax included.
Single use 27,720~ Yen per person
2 people sharing 1 room 26,620~ Yen per person
3+ people sharing 1 room 25,520~ Yen per person
*Dinner will served at Orchard Restaurant Matsukawa (Free round-trip shuttle service is available.)
※Free shuttle service to restaurant venue
●About the stay
- Room type will be assigned by staff depending on availability.
(If you wish to reserve a specific room type, please contact us by phone or contact form) - Every room is provided with an in-room toilet. All rooms are non-smoking.
- Room capacity：1〜7 people (depending on room)
- Hot spring facility (Large Indoor and Open air bath)
- Free shuttle service from closest bus stop and train station at check-in and check-out
Host Farms
Below you can find more information on the host farms that serve as the Orchard Restaurant venues.
Marukame Orchard
Spanning approximately 6,000 tsubo (about 4.9 acres or 2 hectares), Marukame Orchard cultivates a variety of fruits year-round. It’s also home to established fruit trees, including apple trees over 60 years old, as well as pear and plum trees. We invite you to experience the carefully tended ambiance of “an orchard as it should be.”
Takemura Farm
Located at an altitude of 720 meters, Takemura Farm cultivates a wide variety of apples between August and December. The significant temperature difference between day and night adds a deeper sweetness to the apples grown here. The farm is primarily managed daily by the farm owners, a husband and wife who also operate the winery VinVie, situated next to the orchard.
Kayama Farm
Accessible mainly by private car (large buses cannot reach the orchard), Kayama Farm is ideal for fully enjoying fruit picking. As an environmentally conscious agricultural operator, they cultivate cherries (10 varieties), Muscat grapes, and apples (12 varieties) with minimal pesticides and no chemical fertilizers.
Fruits Farm Yoneyama
Nestled in the hills at an altitude of 650 meters, Fruits Farm Yoneyama was first cultivated by the second-generation owner in the Showa 40s (1965-1974), who began growing Japanese pears, apples, blueberries, and European pears. The third generation has since introduced cherry cultivation. They continuously strive to evolve and deepen their expertise in apple and cherry cultivation techniques.
Apple Hills Farm
Apple Hill Farm’s Fuji apple cultivation has continued for 60 years. By using minimal pesticides, they produce fruit that is gentler on both nature and people. In recent years, Apple Hill Farm has also begun to expand its cultivation of cherries and peaches. The orchard is located in a secluded spot, slightly off the main road.
Yuzawa Farm
Mr. Hideki, the third-generation owner, took over the family’s agritourism farm at the age of 20 and has now been dedicated to it for 27 years. With a singular focus on farming, he is committed to providing guests with healing and moments of surprise.
Kumachan Farm
This family-run orchard spans approximately 9,000 tsubo (about 7.4 acres or 3 hectares). They are committed to reducing pesticide use, hoping to offer fruit that is kinder to both people and the environment. While in the orchard, you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the Southern Alps mountain range under the setting sun.
Marutomo Okuda Farm
Jokingly described by the owner, Mr. Okuda, as having “nothing particularly special, but the gentle sounds of birdsong and the earthy scent of the soil.” The fruit trees swaying softly in the breeze and the white clouds drifting lazily overhead are sure to provide visitors with a peaceful and healing experience.
Access Information for those using public transportation
about 2h from Meitetsu Bus Center (Nagoya Station)
(Shuttle service available from Matsukawa bus stop for 1,000 Yen per person)
From Tokyo
about 3.5h from Shinjuku Station
(Shuttle service available from Matsukawa bus stop for 1,000 Yen per person)
・about 30min from Iida Station (Iida Line)
(Shuttle service available from Ina Oshima Station for 1,000 Yen per person)
– If you are staying in another accommodation in Matsukawa, we can arrange a shuttle service between the restaurant venue and accommodation for 1,000 Yen per person
Where to stay in Matsukawa
If you are not in a hurry, we recommend spending one night in Matsukawa to better enjoy its magical atmosphere.
Below you can find our recommended accommodations.
FAQ
How soon should I make reservations?
You need to reserve at least 10 days in advance.
Can I go alone?
Many guests come on their own. However, we require at least 3 participants to carry out the event, so if no one else reserve on the same day as you, we might have to call off the event.
Are children allowed?
There is no age restriction. However, we cannot provide special menus or baby chairs for small children.
Do you cater for special diets and allergies?
Please inform us well in advance and we will change our menu accordingly. (Please be aware that we don’t have a separate set of pans and dishes dedicated to people with allergies. )
What happens if it rains?
In case of rain, we will change the location to a roofed cherry orchard.
However, the tour will be cancelled if there is a chance of extremely bad weather,
like typhoons, heavy rain, flood warnings, and other emergency situations.
In case of cancellation due to weather, cancellation policy does not apply.
Are pets allowed?
Pets are allowed.
What is the cancellation policy?
In case of cancellation by the guest, the following policy will apply.
10~2 days prior: 30% of total amount
1 day prior: 50% of total amount
Day of using: 100% of total amount
What should I bring?
Please wear comfortable shoes (no high heels).
In the summer, we recommend bringing a hat to shade from the sun during the walking tour. At dinnertime, you will also need a long-sleeved shirt in case it gets a bit chilly.
In spring and autumn, we recommend wearing warm clothes even in the daytime. At dinner especially, you will need a down coat with a warm sweater underneath.
What about insects?
As the event is held outside, there might be some insects, especially in the summer. Farmers take measures to keep insects away from the fruit, so their presence is fairly contained. However, if you absolutely cannot stand insects, we recommend you visit in the following months:
May to June
October to November
Is it very cold at dinnertime?
During the colder months, we prepare dining tables with kotatsu (heated tables with blankets), so if you come dressed warmly, we believe you’ll be able to enjoy your time.
If you are concerned about the cold, we recommend visiting during the following periods:
Lunch: Early April to early November
Dinner: May to September
Is it hot in the summer?
The weather is pleasantly cool in the evening.
Also, as the orchards are located at an elevation of about 700m, there is usually a nice breeze, and the restaurant is surrounded by nature, it is not unbearably hot even at lunch.
However, if you absolutely cannot stand hot weather, we recommend you visit in the following months:
Lunch: April to June, October to November
Dinner: April to November
How do I avoid hot weather, cold weather, and insects?
You will want to visit in the following months:
Lunch: May to June, October
Dinner: May to June
Does the menu change?
The menu changes depending on the season.
Do you serve non-alcoholic beverages?
We serve locally sourced apple juice and fruit-flavored soda.