Junpei Restaurant Biei Review 2026: No Reservations & Menu

Junpei Restaurant Biei

Our Honest Review & Menu Guide (No Reservation Needed!)

If you're heading to Biei, Hokkaido, Junpei is a name you'll hear often – it's a must-visit for anyone on a Biei tour! During peak hours, wait times can easily exceed an hour, which can really cut into your sightseeing.

I decided to visit without a reservation, so I deliberately aimed for an off-peak time. By arriving around 1:40 PM, I was able to walk right in and get seated immediately without any wait. Success!

There's a dedicated parking lot right next to the restaurant, which is super convenient if you're driving a rental car. Since tour buses usually park elsewhere, there were plenty of spots available for individual visitors.

Junpei Reservations

Operating Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Closed: Every Monday

Reservations: Only possible through affiliated Biei tour operators

Generally, direct reservations aren't possible at Junpei. You can only secure a table through specific Biei tour operators that have partnered with the restaurant.

If you book a Biei tour that includes Junpei, the tour company will handle the reservation for you. However, it's important to do your research, as many tour operators these days offer bento box meals outside the restaurant rather than dining inside.

After looking into several options, I found that only one company, White Shadow Tour, offered both in-restaurant dining at Junpei AND a visit to Ningle Terrace. What's more, they even allowed dining on Junpei's regular closing day (Monday) until the end of February 2027, which is a fantastic way to avoid the usual crowds!

Book Junpei Confirmed Reservation + Biei Tour Here

Inside Junpei: The Atmosphere

Knowing that the peak dining time for tour groups is typically between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM, I timed my visit for around 1:40 PM. Thankfully, I was seated immediately, and there were still quite a few open tables.

Around 2:00 PM, perhaps the last tour group of the day arrived, and the place suddenly filled up. While there wasn't a wait for tables, the restaurant, despite being quite spacious with many seats, became a bit bustling. The line for payment, surprisingly, became the new wait!

Junpei Menu Highlights

I've translated the main food items for you. While Junpei offers a variety of dishes like Ebidon (shrimp tempura rice bowl), curry, and tonkatsu (pork cutlet), almost everyone comes for the Ebidon.

The 3-shrimp Ebidon is ~$10, and the 4-shrimp option is ~$11. The 4-shrimp option is definitely the better deal – three would have been too few! I highly recommend going for four if you love shrimp.

The Famous Ebidon

Despite the crowd, our order arrived quickly, within 10-15 minutes. The Ebidon set includes the tempura rice bowl, a fresh salad, miso soup, and a side of pickled plum.

The tempura batter is less crispy and more on the soft side, which is quite common for Japanese tempura. This might be a matter of personal preference, depending on whether you prefer a super crunchy or a softer, sauce-soaked texture.

The shrimp tempura is generously coated in tare sauce, so it's already perfectly seasoned. I did feel there was a bit more rice than shrimp, and by the end, I wished I had one more piece of that delicious shrimp. A minor quibble, but worth noting!

Overall, the shrimp were large and incredibly tasty. I enjoyed it so much that if I ever find myself on another Biei tour, I'd definitely make a point to revisit Junpei!

To be honest, there aren't a ton of renowned eateries in the immediate Biei area, so Junpei truly stands out as an exceptional dining spot.

It's a common misconception that Junpei is a Michelin-starred restaurant. While it hasn't received 1, 2, or 3 stars, it was notably featured in the Michelin Guide Hokkaido Special Edition as a Bib Gourmand selection – a recognition for good quality, good value cooking.

However, it's definitely a beloved spot, frequented by celebrities like Olympic medalist Yuna Kim and many other famous personalities. It's a genuine local favorite!

One crucial tip: Payment is **cash only**, so make sure you bring enough US dollars! Credit cards are not accepted, but mobile payment options like PayPay and LINE Pay are available if you have them set up.

If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment below!