About the Restaurant

Hello, travelers!
This is Ayu-mama, writer for SaruKuma.

Today I’m introducing a fantastic spot in Shimono, Minamiaso, Aso District:
Dondoko-yu Restaurant.

This restaurant is attached to the Dondoko-yu hot spring facility — but you’re absolutely welcome to come just for the food!

On the day we visited, snow had piled up and the building looked seriously magical — like something straight out of Harry Potter!
(To be honest, I haven’t actually watched Harry Potter properly, so apologies if I’m off the mark!)

My son, a southern boy who had never seen this much snow, was absolutely thrilled!

We let him play in the snow for a bit before heading inside!

Now, back to the main topic.
This restaurant is famous for its meat dishes — you can enjoy steaks, yakiniku (Japanese-style grilled meat), and more.

Here are the business hours.

The parking lot is enormous — plenty of space!

There’s also a shop selling fresh meat,
locally grown vegetables,
and a variety of snacks and sweets — perfect for picking up souvenirs.

First, you purchase a meal ticket from the vending machine.
The menu features lunch sets,
yakiniku set meals, and steak combos.

A la carte meat dishes are also available.
Seating includes traditional tatami zashiki rooms
as well as Western-style table seating.

The interior is spacious, so social distancing is no problem at all!
High chairs are available, making it a great choice for families with kids.

Recommended Menu Items

Since we visited with three adults and one child, we ordered the
Yakiniku Assortment for 3 (¥3,980),
and for our son, the Kids’ Yakiniku Set (¥980).

The Yakiniku Assortment for 3 comes with rice, soup, salad, pickles, and yogurt — a complete meal!

True to its meat-focused reputation, the beef here is wonderfully tender — even kids can chew it easily.
And the yogurt for dessert? Rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious! (^^)

There are also combo deals that bundle a meal with admission to the Dondoko-yu hot springs,
so why not enjoy both a delicious lunch and a relaxing onsen soak?

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information accurate at the time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before your visit.