Sanzoku Phone: 0827-82-3115 Yamaguchi-ken Kugagun Kugacho Ichi No Sako

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A popular spot just under an hour from downtown Hiroshima (near Iwakuni).  Mountainside dining area with several related restaurants.  The most popular restaurant there is Sanzoku, sometimes called the "Chicken Shack" amongst the ex-pat crowd.  Famous for their delicious Chicken on a Stick.  Pleasant and unique setting, highly recommended for an afternoon drive and dine.

It says "irori" above the kanji on the sign.  Irori means 'sunken hearth (fireplace)'.  The hearth was formerly a feature of Japanese homes in mountainous areas, and many still exist, especially in country restaurants like this one.

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How to get there

From Downtown Hiroshima
By car:
Take Rt. 54 (north from Rihga Royal) or Rt. 2 towards the Sanyo Expressway.  Take the Sanyo Expressway west towards Iwakuni.  The toll will be around 1800 to 2200 yen, depending on where you enter the Sanyo.  Get off at Exit 35, Kuga, and make a right (it says Rt 2).  Follow this winding road through town for about 5 or 10 minutes.  You'll arrive at a traffic light where you'll see a green roofed gas station on your right.  The roof says "Auto Base".  Make a slight right at this intersection (not the immediate right).  The road will fork shortly after, take the left fork into the mountain.  After about a minute or so, you'll approach a busy area with a large parking lot and banners all around.  Turn left into the lot and park there.  Sanzoku is near the center of the lot.  You can enter their main building, or walk down the stairs to your right to the outdoor picnic table seating area.

By JR train and taxi:
Take the JR (Gantokusen line) to Kuga-eki.  Then take taxi for 5 minutes to Sanzoku, about 1000 yen

By JR train and walk:
Take the JR (Gantokusen line) to Kinmeiji-eki.  Then walk for about 10 minutes to Sanzoku.  Make a left on the main road by the JR station, and make a right at the signal/hospital intersection.  Walk up the hill and you'll come to the restaurant area.

By Shinkansen and taxi:
Take the Shinkansen to Shin-Iwakuni station.  Then take a taxi to Sanzoku, about a 15 minute ride, and about 3000 yen.

By Bus from Iwakuni:
Take the Bouchou bus to the Noguchidao stop, which is right in front of the Sanzoku restaurant area.

Main Sanzoku restaurant.  The outdoor dining area
is in the woods in the background.

Average price:  1000 to 1500 yen each
English Menu:  Yes
English speaking employees:  No, manager a little
Seating:  Various bars in front of fireplaces, tatami mat, outside tatami seating and picnic tables.
Fork Available?:  Yes
Non-Smoking section?: No
Child seat: No, but tatami seating should be fine.
Restroom style:  Both Japanese and western
Atmosphere:  Quiet mountainside dining, near some nice woods, waterfall, and a stream
Credit Card Accepted?:  No (pay before eating)

Local Events at Sanzoku Kugaten

January 1 to January 3:
Shishimai (New Years festivities). Kadomatsu display.

April 7
Hanamatsuri (Flower Festival, Buddist celebration)

May 1 to May 5
Tangonoseku (Children's day)  Samurai costume and carp banner display.

June 20 to end of August
Tanabata (special, colorful decorative display, see photo)

September
Kakashi (scarecrow display and pumpkin contest)

October
Autumn festival.  Kagura dancing (dance for the gods).

Tanabata display

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Sanzoku Menu

They carry an English menu.  It's not a complete menu, but contains the most popular items.

Chicken on a stick, cooked over charcoal (sanzoku-yaki), 560 yen

They also have various yaki-niku dishes, tofu dishes, gyoza, udon, soba, sushi, and a large rice ball (musubi).  All the prices are very reasonable.

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English is fine.  Or just point.

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This place is famous for their chicken on a stick.  It's delicious and inexpensive.  Ask for the Sanzoku-yaki.  They also serve the largest musubi (rice ball) we've ever seen.  It's so large that each quadrant has a different filling, salmon, pickled plums, seaweed, and something else.

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