The Japanese Dining Experience: Patience, Queues and Quality Food at Country Kitchen Kazamidori, Furano

After dining at several restaurants in Sapporo, I came to appreciate that queuing to be called in is a normal part of the Japanese dining experience, especially at popular ramen shops, soup curry restaurants, sushi outlets, and seafood restaurants. Many Japanese restaurants are relatively small, with limited seating capacity, so customers patiently wait for their turn. These queues are not just for tourists; locals also willingly line up for restaurants that are well known for their quality and reputation. A waiting time of around 20 to 30 minutes is considered quite normal, while longer waits are common at especially popular establishments.

This experience continued when we visited Country Kitchen Kazamidori (風見鶏) in Furano. We arrived at 5:30 pm, well before its 6:00 pm opening time, yet a small crowd had already gathered ahead of us - a clear sign of the restaurant’s popularity. Located at a quiet countryside road junction, Kazamidori is a charming rural restaurant celebrated for its rustic atmosphere and dishes prepared with fresh local ingredients from Furano, Hokkaido.

The restaurant has a warm farmhouse character, featuring a cosy wooden interior decorated with countless handwritten messages left by previous visitors. These personal notes create a nostalgic and welcoming atmosphere, adding to the restaurant’s unique rural charm and making it a memorable stop for travellers exploring Furano.

Kazamidori specialises in yoshoku, Japanese-style Western cuisine that combines Western cooking techniques with Japanese flavours and local ingredients. Its signature dish is the Furano Cheese Fondue, made with locally produced cheese and served with bread and vegetables. Other popular dishes include baked curry, hamburg steak, beef stew, steak, and meals featuring fresh seasonal vegetables from the surrounding region.

A bit bored with the waiting for the food!

 

Hamberger Steak with Curry - A thick, juicy Japanese-style steak. Smothered in a deeply flavoured, rich Japanese curry sauce.

Chicken Steak Set Meal.

Beef stew set - A rich, savory Japanese-style beef stew slow-cooked in traditional black iron pot until the meat is melt in the mouth tender. Served with signature side plate of Furano grilled vegetables.

Steak Set - A pan-seared steak served with pumpkin cream soup. Come with a bowl of Furano grilled vegetables.

Furano Cheese Fondue with an assortment of Furano vegetables for dipping.

Tsuboyaki Curry - It features a rich, slowly simmered Japanese curry served inside a red ceramic pot. The top of the pot is sealed  with a layer of pizza dough that puffs up into a golden dome.

Our granddaughter, Grace too left a short message - pinned on a small board.

By the time we finished the meal, it's 7.20pm.