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📍 Ashinoko Terrace 芦ノ湖テラス @ Japan 🇯🇵
📅 Visited on 29 May 2026
Visited Ashinoko Terrace during lunchtime while exploring the Lake Ashi area in Hakone and found it to be a popular dining and shopping stop 🌿🏞️🇯🇵
🍽️ We arrived during lunch hour and noticed that the restaurant was quite popular. Upon arrival, customers need to collect a queue ticket number at the entrance before waiting to be called. The process was organised and easy to follow.
💺 The staff will ask whether you prefer indoor or outdoor seating. The outdoor seating area offers much better views and a more enjoyable atmosphere overlooking the surrounding scenery. However, choosing outdoor seating may result in a longer waiting time compared to indoor seating.
🛍️ While waiting, there were souvenir shops located beside the restaurant, which made the waiting time more enjoyable. We spent some time browsing local snacks, gifts, and Hakone souvenirs before our number was called.
📖 There was also an indoor waiting area with seating available, allowing guests to sit comfortably while viewing the menu and deciding what to order before being seated.
😊 One positive aspect of our visit was the service. There were quite a number of staff members working throughout the restaurant, and most of them were able to communicate in English. This made ordering and asking questions much easier for international visitors.
🥗 We started with the Caesar Salad, which was fairly okay. It was fresh and nicely presented, but nothing particularly memorable compared to the other dishes on the menu.
🍕 We ordered the Chef Pizza, which turned out to be the highlight of our meal. The pizza was rich, flavourful, and generously topped. The combination of ingredients worked very well together, and every bite was satisfying. This was easily our favourite dish and the one we would recommend ordering.
🍕 We also ordered the Margherita Extra Pizza. While the ingredients appeared fresh and the flavours were pleasant, the pizza was much wetter than expected. There was a generous amount of tomato sauce, which made the centre quite soggy and soaked through the base. As a result, the crust lacked the crisp texture we were hoping for.
🍝 The Penne Arrabbiata Tradizionale unfortunately did not meet our expectations. The sauce tasted rather bland and lacked the spicy kick typically associated with an arrabbiata pasta. We were expecting a more robust tomato flavour with some heat, but it turned out to be quite mild.
🍗 The Chicken Milanese with Checca Sauce was okay overall. The chicken was reasonably prepared, and the fresh tomato-based Checca sauce added a light and refreshing touch to the dish. While it wasn’t particularly memorable, it was still enjoyable.
🌊 The terrace area provided a relaxing atmosphere, making it a pleasant stop during a day of sightseeing around Lake Ashi. The outdoor seating in particular offered a more enjoyable dining experience thanks to the surrounding views.
💰 The prices were on the higher side compared to similar restaurants. However, a portion of what you’re paying for is undoubtedly the location, atmosphere, and scenic views surrounding Lake Ashi.
👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly and suitable for visitors of all ages. The organised queuing system and waiting area made it easier for families with children to wait comfortably.
📸 The surrounding area also offered plenty of opportunities for photos, shopping, and enjoying the atmosphere around Lake Ashi.
💡 Tips:
🎟️ Collect a queue ticket at the entrance before waiting
🌊 Choose outdoor seating for better views if you don’t mind waiting longer
🛍️ Browse the souvenir shops while waiting for your number
🍕 The Chef Pizza is highly recommended
📖 Use the waiting time to review the menu and decide on your order
🍽️ Expect a queue during lunch hours
