Enza Cafe & Ramen Enza

This café stands at the entrance to the Yumichi Walking Trail leading to Jigokudani Yaen Koen, world-famous for its hot spring-bathing Japanese macaques. Its lush natural setting in Kanbayashi Onsen, the gateway to Shiga Kogen, a registered UNESCO park, adds to its appeal.

Its café menu is especially popular, with items such as adorable café lattes topped with monkey-shaped marshmallows, homemade apple pie with a perfect balance of flaky crust and apple sweetness, and pizza topped with Shinshu-grown mushrooms and Nozawana on a crispy crust. Another highlight is the wooden plates used for the sweets, decorated with monkey-themed art. The menu also features a wide selection of items made with Nagano’s specialty apples, including beer, wine, pizza, and ice cream. The chicken paitan ramen, made with plenty of Zenkoji miso, is another top recommendation. If you visit in winter, when the monkeys soak in the hot springs, it’s the perfect dish to warm you to the core.

Terrace seating is also available, where you can enjoy sweets and more while taking in the scenery of each season. Takeout is available too, making it a great companion for a stroll along the trail.