Magical Ukai Toriyama...

A photographer's dream during Hanami

In the looming darkness of the evening, a legion of thatched roofs can be seen peeking out from the foothills of Mount Takao. After a 40 minutes drive from Tokyo, we pulled into the driveway of Ukai Toriyama, guided by the flickering lights from the lanterns and the flaming torches. The expansive landscaped garden was ravishingly breathtaking, replete with the essentials for a Japanese garden. Pack up your mortal worries and let them be soothed away along with the bobbling creeks and the gentle creaking of the water wheels. Koi ponds, arched bridges and the thick green foliage will further enhanced your state of Nirvana. It is also said that in summer, thousands of fireflies are released into the valley, blanketing the whole garden in a warm glow.

The broiled chicken skewers are the house's specialty

Our dining room was laid out in traditional tatami style. In the middle was a small sandpit with white-hot charcoals for grilling. Billed as the star ingredient here, only free range chicken is used as freshness is integral. After grilling, we dipped the skewers into a sweet sauce and chomped our way to the simple goodness oozing from within. Perhaps the meat was a tad too thick for our liking or it could be that we were too inept at grilling, our preference is still for Yakitori's thinner cuts. Still, Ukai Toriyama is certainly worth more than a visit, simply just to drink in the magical beauty of its garden.

Ukai Toriyama
Address: 3426 Minami Asakawa, Hachioji City, Tokyo, Japan
Telephone: 04-2661-0739
Michelin: None