Questions
Frequently asked questions
Access, opening hours, reservations, seating, food, drinks, courses and payment. Where we do not have a fixed answer we say so, and ask you to check with us — we would rather do that than guess.
Access to the Oji dining area by the east exit of Kusatsu Station, and opening hours
How do I get there from Kusatsu Station?
It is a 2-minute walk from the east exit of JR Kusatsu Station. The address is 1-13-1 Oji, Kusatsu, Shiga.
What are your opening hours?
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and public holidays: 17:00–24:00, last order 23:00. Friday, Saturday and the day before a public holiday: 17:00–01:00, last order 24:00.
What day are you closed?
We close irregularly. When we are closed on a particular day we post it under News.
I am looking for lunch near Kusatsu Station — are you open during the day?
No. We open at 17:00, so we do not serve lunch.
How late can I order?
23:00 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and public holidays. 24:00 on Friday, Saturday and the day before a public holiday.
I am looking for somewhere near Kusatsu Station for a second stop — can we come in late?
Yes, and many people do — especially on Friday and Saturday when we are open until 01:00. A glass of wine and one pizza is a perfectly normal order here.
We are driving to Kusatsu — is there parking?
We cannot promise a space of our own, so please use one of the coin parking areas around the east exit of Kusatsu Station. If parking matters for your visit, please ask us when you book.
Is the entrance accessible?
Please tell us when you book. We will prepare a table that works and guide you in on the day.
Reservations
Do I need to book?
Friday, Saturday and the day before a public holiday fill up, so we recommend booking. On a weekday you can often walk in.
How do I book?
Online through the reservation page, or by telephone on 077-565-7773. We open at 17:00, so the phone is easiest to reach after that.
Can I book for today?
Please call us. We will tell you honestly whether we can fit you in.
How far in advance should I book for a large group?
For December and the welcome and farewell party season, as early as you can. For 45 guests or more, please call rather than booking online.
What if I am running late?
Please call us as soon as you know. We will hold the table as long as we can.
Can I change the number of guests after booking?
Yes, if you tell us early. For courses we prepare ingredients in advance, so the sooner the better.
Is there a cancellation fee?
For courses and private hire it may apply depending on when you cancel, because ingredients are prepared in advance. We tell you the conditions when we take the booking.
Can I book a specific seat, like the counter?
Tell us your preference when you book and we will do our best, though we cannot guarantee a particular seat.
Seating and the space — for a date, a girls' night or a birthday in Kusatsu
How many seats are there?
80 seats in all: counter, tables, a round table and a terrace.
I am looking for an Italian restaurant in Kusatsu with a private room — do you have one?
We do not have private rooms. The round table and the terrace let a group sit together.
Is there a terrace?
Yes, on the street side. It is the one place where smoking is allowed.
Can I come alone?
Yes. The counter faces the stone oven, and a glass with one dish is a normal way to use us.
I am looking for a non-smoking Italian restaurant in Kusatsu — can you smoke here?
Inside is entirely non-smoking. You may smoke on the terrace.
I am looking for somewhere near Kusatsu Station for a date — is it alright for two?
The counter facing the oven works well for two. Tell us when you book if it is a special evening.
I am looking for a restaurant in Kusatsu we can take children to — are children welcome?
Yes. Children are welcome from infancy. We have children's chairs, you may bring baby food, and prams can come inside. Please tell us when you book so we can prepare a table that works.
I am looking for somewhere in Kusatsu for a girls' night — how many of us can you take?
Yes. The round table works well for a group who want to see each other, and the terrace is popular in the warmer months.
I want to celebrate a birthday or an anniversary in Kusatsu — can you help with that?
Please tell us when you book. We will arrange what we can, and you can ask about bringing a cake as well.
Are pets allowed?
Dogs of any size are welcome on the terrace, and we bring them water. We ask that they are toilet trained, vaccinated, do not bark excessively, and are not in season. Inside the bar is not available for pets.
Food — Omi beef steak and stone-oven pizza
It is my first time eating Omi beef — what do you recommend?
Omi beef and the stone-oven Neapolitan pizza. If you want one dish that shows what we do, the grilled Omi beef.
Is the Omi beef really Omi beef?
Yes. Omi beef is the brand beef of Shiga, and we buy it by the whole carcass, which is why the cuts on the menu change through the year.
What is the Rossini?
Omi beef fillet topped with foie gras and finished with a red wine sauce. It is the main dish of the 7,000 yen premium course.
I am looking for stone-oven Neapolitan pizza in Kusatsu — what is your pizza like?
Neapolitan, baked in a stone oven. Short and fierce heat, so the rim rises and takes on its char while the centre stays soft.
Can I see the oven?
Yes — it is visible from the counter, and the fire is in from 17:00.
Do you use local vegetables?
Yes. Omi vegetables are the base of the antipasti and the bagna cauda, and what is on the plate changes with the season.
Can you handle allergies?
Please tell us before you order, or when you book if you are having a course. We will do what we can, and we will say clearly if a dish cannot be changed.
Are there vegetarian options?
We do not have a fixed vegetarian menu. Tell us in advance and we will put together what we can from the vegetables and the pizza.
Do you do takeaway?
No. Our dishes are made to be eaten here, so we do not offer takeaway.
Do you do delivery?
No, we do not deliver.
Drinks — wine and free-flow
How large is the wine list?
The list is on the blackboard and is rewritten with the season, and we keep a wine cellar. Tell us the dish and your budget and we will choose for you.
Can I have wine by the glass?
Yes. Ask what is open tonight — it changes.
What else do you have besides wine?
Beer, whisky, shochu, sake, cocktails and soft drinks.
Is there free-flow drinks on its own?
Yes: 1,650 yen for one hour, with food ordered from the menu. A limited-time price is sometimes offered through the online reservation site.
Do the courses include free-flow drinks?
Yes. The 5,000 yen, 6,000 yen and 7,000 yen courses all include 120 minutes of free-flow drinks.
Is there anything for people who do not drink?
Yes, soft drinks are available. Please tell us when you book if someone in the group is not drinking.
Courses, parties and private hire in Kusatsu
I am looking for a party course with free-flow drinks in Kusatsu — how much are the courses?
Seasonal party courses with free-flow drinks start at 5,000 yen. There is a 6,000 yen course with grilled Omi beef and a 7,000 yen premium course with the Rossini.
I am looking for somewhere in Kusatsu we can hire privately — from how many guests?
Yes, for 45 to 70 guests, and from 30 guests on weekdays, Monday to Thursday. A projector, screen and microphone are free to use. Please call us to check the date before booking online.
Is there a time limit on a party?
It depends on the day and the size of the party. We tell you when we take the booking.
Can we bring a cake?
Please ask when you book. Tell us the time you would like it brought out and we will arrange what we can.
I want to know what to budget for Omi beef in Kusatsu — what is the guide price?
Around 3,500 yen normally, and around 4,500 yen for a party.
Payment and other questions
I am looking for a cashless-friendly place in Kusatsu — which credit cards do you take?
Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express and Diners Club.
Can I pay with a QR code payment?
Yes, PayPay is accepted.
Can we split the bill?
Please tell us before we bring the bill and we will do what we can. On a busy night, one payment for the table is quicker.
Is there Wi-Fi?
We do not have Wi-Fi for guests.
Is there an English menu, and does anyone speak English?
Yes. We have an English menu, and there are staff who speak English. Please just ask.
How long have you been open by Kusatsu Station?
Since April 2013, in the same place in front of the east exit of Kusatsu Station.
If your question is not here, call us on 077-565-7773 from 17:00, or write to us and we will reply.