Kagetsurou

The same restaurant that hosted Charles Lindbergh

Sherilyn Siy Nov 22, 2018 - 1 min read

Everything on this plate is edible. The decorative flowers enhance the freshness sashimi.

View from the outside. Staff waiting to welcome you.

Kagetsurou has private rooms that can accommodate small and bigger groups (up to 100 people). This room looks out to a lovely Japanese garden.

The menu changes with the season. This is an autumn themed dish featuring a deep fried lotus root and behind the leaf, a sweet pumpkin. The roasted square block is a tofu product that tastes like cheese.

At the main entrance is a small exhibit displaying the restaurant's connections with historical figures.

American explorer Charles Lindbergh and his wife Ann.

The farewell party for Charles Lindbergh held in 1931 at this very same restaurant.

Tucked away in a small street a few blocks from Tsuchiura Station is a restaurant that specializes in local, regional and seasonal cuisine. This traditional Japanese fine dining establishment (also known as ryotei) opened in 1889 and is extremely proud of its more than 120 year history. A first-class welcome begins at the entrance of Kagetsurou (霞月楼). As you enter, you will note how old the place feels. This is, after all, the very same restaurant that, in 1931, hosted the farewell party for the great American aviator Charles Lindbergh, one of the inspiration for Pixar's 2009 animation Up ("Adventure is out there!"). The multiple course dinner is served by staff in full kimono. Every dish was exquisite: ingredients were fresh and simply cooked to bring out their natural flavors. I was tickled to know that I probably used the same plates as the great explorer.

From Tsuchiura Station of the JR Joban Line, use the West Exit. The restaurant is a 10 minute walk away. Ample parking spaces available.

Sherilyn Siy @sherilyn.siy

For Sherilyn Siy, Asia is home. Born in Hong Kong, Sherilyn spent time in the Philippines, China, and now lives in Japan. She speaks English, Filipino, Chinese (or putonghua), and Hokkien, her family's local dialect. Running is one of her favorite ways to explore Japan. She proudly finished the 2...