Mamagotoya Tofu Restaurant

Mamagotoya Tofu Restaurant makes tofu from scratch. So, don’t rush this lunch.

What’s Mamagotoya Tofu Restaurant?

Mamagotoya’s speciality is long, several-course meals dedicated to tofu, all set in a beautiful riverside setting in Sawai, west of Tokyo. You can choose from two courses: the Kaede Course (¥6,300), which includes sashimi and eel, or the Hana Course (¥4,500), which we tried. Note that the restaurant is very accommodating to dietary restrictions, so make sure to highlight any when booking.

The Hana Course treated us to all forms of tofu, including yuba (tofu skin), dried tofu, hot tofu, and dessert. You might think tofu won’t fill you up, but it does.

You can also try the seasonal sake-tasting set for ¥1,200.

What to know before you visit Mamagotoya Tofu Restaurant

This restaurant is popular and isn’t a spur-of-the-moment splurge. It also takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes to get here from Shinjuku, so make sure to add other adventures to your itinerary — like Okutama, Mount Mitake, or the nearby Sawanoi Sake Brewery (the same owners as the restaurant).

Do you need reservations for Mamagotoya Tofu Restaurant?

Yes, in fact, reservations are required. They are accepted up to three months in advance, and you can call or make a reservation online on the official website. You will either have a view of the river or of the garden. Note that there are no evening reservations.

Tip: If you can’t get a reservation, there’s a café just next door that accepts walk-ins and also has views of the river.

by Alexandra Ziminski