When stress peaks, I just want to escape and go somewhere new. But traveling with others doesn’t always bring the rest I need. So I decided—it’s time for a trip just for me…

This article was created on December 23, 2019.

The place I booked for lunch that day was Funagiraso. Located right next to the Funagira Dam in Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu City, it is surrounded by green trees, and you can enjoy your meal while looking out at the emerald green reflection of the dam lake.

Funagiraso, which used to be a Japanese-style inn, is now run by a third-generation chef as a French restaurant. It is a place with clean water, and the specialty of the inn at the time was carp dishes, which were said to be good for pregnant women. If you make a reservation, you can still choose carp as your main dish.

Lunch location: Funagiraso

I immediately ordered the course and the appetizers were brought to me. It’s a dish called boudin noir made from solidified deer blood. Here in Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu City, you can enjoy gibier cuisine made from wild boar and deer caught in the mountains. We respect the lives of wild animals, but because the food is sourced fresh and prepared using expert cooking techniques, there is no odor at all. It’s an unforgettable appetizer with a rich flavor that melts in your mouth.

The pumpkin potage I received afterwards also had a gentle taste. “We try to use local ingredients as much as possible.” We also have a lively conversation with the friendly wife who serves as our waiter. For my main dish, I chose Haruno’s boar tongue. What a soft tongue! Any preconceived notions of tough meat disappeared in an instant. In addition, everything from the garnished vegetables to the butter on the bread is incredibly flavorful and well-balanced, bringing a smile to your face. Before I knew it, my stomach and heart were full.

Dessert was brought out at the end of the course. A cute dish that makes you feel like it’s a waste to eat it. I take lots of photos for Instagram to record my travels. Even the dessert was so perfectly delicious that your cheeks would fall.

To conclude the course, enjoy a hot cup of coffee and look out at the dam lake outside with a feeling of happiness. Ah, what a luxurious lunch time.

I said hello to the chef and his wife, and closed the restaurant door, feeling a sense of regret.

As I waited for the train again at the Tenryu Hamanako Railway Futamata Honmachi Station platform, I naturally felt lighter in body and mind than when I arrived. During the two days I was able to refresh myself, Tenryu healed me. I’ll come back here when I’m tired. A special reward trip just for me.

French restaurant [Funeiso]

「https://funagirasou.hamazo.tv」

*By reservation only.

*The information in this article is subject to change.