Japan Restaurant Review: 強羅花壇 (Gora Kadan Inn)

Gora Kadan Inn
1300 Gora, Hakone, Ashigarashimogun, Kanagawa, JAPAN
+81-460-82-3331

Despite Gora Kadan's somewhat modern take on Hot Spring Inns (with the Westernized spa services and modern architechture), the kaiseki dinner they serve is very traditional. The course includes more than 10-15 small dishes and they always use the most seasonal ingredients to express the season. Their umeshu (plum wine) is my favorite; I think the hint of brandy makes it more fragrant than most plum wines. There is nothing more relaxing than enjoying a full kaiseki course meal before, and/or after a long bath in one of the hot springs. The food is not only fresh and delicious, but aesthetically pleasing as well.

Private rotenburo (outdoor bath)





An appetizer: snapper with various vegetables (broad bean, Japanese mountain yam, carrot etc.)

Abalone sushi


Ginnan Shinjou (Ginko nut soup with a light minced prawn ball)

Assortment of sashimi: Ise Ebi (Japanese lobster), Toro (fatty tuna) and Hirame (halibut)

Grilled Sawara (Spanish Mackeral) with a miso glaze

Braised tender pork croquette