Houtou Fudou Kawaguchiko North Main Shop

One of the most iconic places to try hōtō — the signature dish of Yamanashi Prefecture. The restaurant serves huge portions of thick, chewy noodles in a rich miso-based broth with vegetables like pumpkin, mushrooms, potatoes, and cabbage, all bubbling in a hot iron pot placed on a sturdy metal stand. Warm, hearty, and deeply satisfying — perfect after a walk or on a cool day by the lake. The interior is rustic and cozy, while the exterior of the building is strikingly modern — a white, rounded structure designed by architect Takeshi Hosaka to resemble rising steam from a hot pot. Despite the contrast, it all feels surprisingly harmonious. When we visited, the restaurant was unusually quiet, yet the staff still moved with the speed and coordination of a busy lunch rush — calling out short commands to one another and literally running between tables. It was both amusing and impressive to watch. Orders were taken and served incredibly fast, and payment at the exit made the process smooth and efficient. Signature hōtō is done with care and consistency, using local miso and vegetables from nearby farms. A true taste of Yamanashi’s comfort food tradition. Strongly recommended for anyone visiting Kawaguchiko.

What a lovely dining experience. We came early for lunch and got right in. Nice appetizers as the horse sashimi and sure you come for the special hoto noodles. We ordered the basic vegetable option and loved the pumpking broth. So thick, rich and creamy, it was served by a very engaged crew, they keep running to serve the food piping hot and we're shouting orders. Not only a fun experience, great atmosphere and excellent food.

Initially, I was hesitant to try Hoto noodles at this place because of the <4 stars rating. But, it was not too bad. The staff were running around and shouting enthusiastically… what a vibe! Lol. Food was generally yummy, huge portion, reasonably priced: ~1380¥ per bowl. Do try the pork fillet as it is quite tender and delicious! Check with the staff as it might out of stock since it says “Limited quantity”. Will recommend to tourists who want to try Hoto Noodles.