Omi beef holds the distinction of being Japan's oldest beef brand, with a history spanning approximately 400 years. During the Edo period, despite the shogunate's ban on beef consumption, the Hikone Domain was granted special permission to raise cattle and supply beef to the shogun. Renowned for its tender texture, sweet marbling, and melt-in-your-mouth quality, Omi beef offers a luxurious experience at a more affordable price compared to other famous wagyu brands. For those seeking high-quality wagyu without the hefty price tag, Shiga is the ideal destination.

This restaurant is operated by Sennaritei, a butcher specializing exclusively in Omi beef. The emphasis here is on unparalleled freshness. With direct contracts with local farmers and their own cattle ranches, the restaurant sources whole cows to ensure the highest quality. The cattle they bring in are carefully selected, with a focus on females over 30 months old that have not yet given birth, ensuring they are at their peak. Unlike conventional methods that prioritize rapid fattening, Sennari Tei Kyara's farms take a more patient approach, raising their cows slowly to enhance the natural flavor and texture of the beef.

The standout item on their menu is their Omi beef sushi, which offers a direct experience of the beef's exquisite flavor. While beef is typically served cooked, the freshness of this Omi beef allows it to be enjoyed raw. A single 600-kilogram cow yields only about one kilogram of the prized "toro" fatty meat, making this rare cut the restaurant's most popular offering. Diners rave that it "melts in your mouth" and describe it as an unparalleled culinary experience. Despite its exclusivity and exceptional quality, it remains surprisingly affordable.

The restaurant has a Japanese-style interior, allowing guests to relax as they eat. It's located on the Yume Kyo-bashi Castle Road near Hikone Castle, making it a great spot to visit if you've come to see the castle.

Matsukiya, a long-established butcher in the Omi beef industry since 1870, exclusively sources meticulously selected Omi beef from contracted farms. Specializing in only the highest-grade Omi wagyu, they bring this premium quality to the public through their dining venue, Restaurant Matsukiya, offering an exceptional culinary experience rooted in tradition and expertise.

At Matsukiya, all of their Omi beef undergoes low-temperature aging, a traditional Japanese method that enhances the beef's umami to its fullest potential. This time-honored technique, which uses cold storage to improve food quality, is now applied with modern industrial refrigerators to ensure both freshness and hygiene.

For an affordable way to enjoy this aged beef, the Gyunabe-zen (beef hotpot) is a must-try. This simple dish of boiled beef and vegetables allows you to fully savor the depth of the meat's flavor. The meal is served with rice or udon, miso soup, and fruit, with the price varying depending on your choice of cut: thighs, intestines, loins, or a combination of these premium selections.

Depending on what you order, you can enjoy your meal in the common room, the steak counter, or a private room. The private room costs an extra 10%, but the relaxed atmosphere and Japanese design are worth experiencing. If you want to leave wonderful memories of your journey, try picking a room to your liking.

Marutake Oumi Nishikawa is an Omi beef specialist located in Omi Hachiman, with a traditional Japanese-style exterior that blends seamlessly with the historic Hachiman-bori storefronts. What sets this establishment apart is that the Omi beef served here is sourced directly from its own farm. All of the cattle are purebred, originating from the meticulously managed Tajima bloodline, known for producing exceptionally juicy and flavorful beef. This dedication to quality ensures a premium dining experience deeply rooted in the region's rich culinary traditions.

The restaurant's most popular dish is the sukiyaki set. With beef boiled in a sweet soy sauce stock, you eat the meat by dipping it in raw egg. The stock is made in-house, with minimal sweetness to preserve the beef's flavor.

The restaurant's most popular dish is the sukiyaki set. With beef boiled in a sweet soy sauce stock, you eat the meat by dipping it in raw egg. The stock is made in-house, with minimal sweetness to preserve the beef's flavor.

The restaurant also has an attached butchery on the first floor, where guests can buy side dishes to take home. There are Omi wagyu beef croquettes, sukiyaki croquettes made with sweet soy sauce, and fried mincemeat cutlets. There's also Omi beef pickled in miso, safe at room temperature and perfect for souvenirs.