On December 30, 2025, after an exhilarating day of snowboarding at Snow Resort Romance no Kamisama, we headed to “Waremokou,” just a 4-minute walk from Iiyama Station, for dinner.
The restaurant’s charming facade, featuring a distinctive green noren curtain set against a snowy landscape, immediately caught our attention. Even on this evening, the place was bustling with customers. Let me share the exceptional Japanese cuisine that truly warmed our tired bodies after a day on the slopes.
The Charm of Waremokou
Despite being within walking distance of Iiyama Station, “Waremokou” offers authentic Japanese cuisine and obanzai (traditional Kyoto-style home cooking). Notably, the chef is the daughter of the owner of “Yamanoie Panis” restaurant at Kijimadaira Ski Resort, so you can expect exceptional culinary skills.
The handwritten menu is packed with daily recommendations. From creative dishes using seasonal ingredients to classic Japanese fare, the wide-ranging lineup is one of the restaurant’s main attractions. *Note: The first menu page features daily specials.
What We Ordered
Snow Crab Cream Croquettes [Absolutely Delicious!]
The first dish to arrive was the highlight of the evening: “Snow Crab Cream Croquettes.”
When you break through the crispy coating, rich, creamy filling oozes out. Packed with generous amounts of crab meat, each bite delivers an explosion of crab umami that fills your mouth. The perfect balance between the smooth cream and the texture of the crab makes this dish alone worth the visit!
Various Obanzai Dishes
Next came the obanzai assortment. On the left is “Stir-fried Cabbage with Hormone,” and on the right is “Eggplant in Meat Broth.”
The Stir-fried Cabbage with Hormone perfectly marries the sweetness of cabbage with the rich umami of offal. The robust seasoning makes it an excellent accompaniment to drinks.
The Eggplant in Meat Broth features eggplant and shiitake mushrooms gently infused with dashi, offering a comforting flavor. This heartwarming dish perfectly soothes bodies chilled from skiing.
Grilled Miso-Marinated Black Cod [Outstanding Flavor!]
The Grilled Miso-Marinated Black Cod was another star of the evening. The black cod, thoroughly marinated in Saikyo miso, is so tender that it flakes apart with the slightest touch of chopsticks.
The sweetness of the miso perfectly harmonizes with the rich umami of the fish, while the accompanying myoga (Japanese ginger) adds a refreshing accent. The level of perfection truly impressed us.
Japanese Wagyu Beef Thigh
The wagyu thigh, cooked to a perfect medium-rare, is packed with concentrated meat umami. Served with a salad, it offers a refreshing eating experience. Adding wasabi further enhances the meat’s natural sweetness.
Miyuki Pork Shoulder Roast
The shoulder roast of local brand pork “Miyuki Pork” is slowly grilled over charcoal to perfection. Juicy and tender, it allows you to fully appreciate the natural sweetness of the pork. The accompanying miso was absolutely exquisite. Served with grilled vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini, it’s a well-balanced dish.
Grilled Rice Ball with Button Pepper Miso
A fragrant grilled rice ball generously topped with special button pepper miso. The spicy kick perfectly complements the miso flavor, making it ideal as a finishing dish or a mid-meal snack.
Seafood Soy Sauce Ramen [Perfect Finale!]
And finally, we finished with “Seafood Soy Sauce Ramen.”
The broth, rich with clam dashi, is clear yet delivers profound umami. The smooth, slippery noodles combined with the soup gently permeate your skiing-fatigued body. The toppings provide an excellent accent, and we savored every last drop.
Visiting Tips
Waremokou is simply a restaurant where everything is delicious. From obanzai to creative dishes to the finishing ramen, you can taste the careful preparation in every item.
However, during this season (New Year’s ski season), it gets extremely crowded. Especially after evening hours, it often reaches full capacity, so I strongly recommend visiting during earlier hours or making a reservation in advance.
We were fortunate to secure a reservation the day before, but we witnessed several walk-in customers who couldn’t get in.
Restaurant Information
Name: Waremokou (われもこう)
Genre: Japanese Cuisine, Hamburgers
Address: 13-5 Minamimachi, Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture
Access: 4-minute walk from Iiyama Station (300m)
Phone: 0269-67-8022
Reservations: Available (recommended during busy periods)
Closed: Tuesdays and 2nd & 4th Wednesdays
Hours:
- Lunch: 11:00-14:00
- Dinner: 17:30-22:00
Payment Methods:
- Credit cards accepted (JCB, AMEX, Diners)
- Electronic money accepted
- QR code payment accepted
Reference: Tabelog – Waremokou
Summary
For dinner after snowboarding at Snow Resort Romance no Kamisama, “Waremokou” near Iiyama Station was the perfect choice.
Particularly, the crab cream croquettes, grilled miso-marinated black cod, and the finishing soy sauce ramen were absolutely exquisite and worth making a special trip for. Every obanzai dish is carefully prepared, allowing you to fully enjoy the deliciousness of local ingredients.
The convenient access from Iiyama Station makes it easy to stop by on your way back from the ski resort. Just remember to arrive early or make a reservation to avoid the crowds!
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