Kiraku

Kiraku is a set-meal restaurant in Shirahama that specializes in Kumanoji-don, a rice bowl topped with sashimi and foraged wild mountain plants that reflects the culinary crossover between Wakayama's coastal seafood and the mountain foods gathered along the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes. Alongside the Kumanoji-don, the kitchen serves mehari-zushi, the pickled-leaf rice ball found throughout the Kishu region, and in colder months offers nabe hot pots built around wild longtooth grouper and spiny lobster caught locally. The dining room is casual and welcoming, set up for family and group dining with table seating rather than a formal counter, and carries a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere suited to a full seasonal set meal. There is no dedicated wine list; beer, sake, and shochu round out the drink options. The restaurant closes on Thursdays and is busiest on weekends, when reservations are recommended, particularly for the nabe hot pots, which require advance preparation of the seasonal seafood.