Is Rare Beef Really Safe in Japan?

You've done your research, you've saved the pin on Google Maps, and you're genuinely excited for what might be the most memorable lunch of your Japan trip. Then you step out of the station into Osu — and the streets look nothing like what you expected. Narrow covered arcades branch off in every direction, signage is almost entirely in Japanese, and suddenly you're not sure if you're walking toward Itadaki or away from it.

If that scenario sounds familiar, you're not alone. The Osu district is one of Nagoya's most exciting neighborhoods — and also one of the easiest places to get turned around. This guide answers every navigation question so that by the time you arrive, the only thing you're thinking about is the bowl in front of you.

Who This Is For

• ✅ First-time visitors to Nagoya who aren't yet familiar with the city's subway system
• ✅ Travelers staying near Nagoya Station who want clear, step-by-step directions to Osu
• ✅ Anyone who has tried using Google Maps in Osu and found it less precise than expected
• ✅ Guests visiting Itadaki before or after a trip to Shirakawa-go, Takayama, or other Gifu-region destinations
• ✅ Solo travelers and families who want to arrive stress-free and make the most of their lunch time

What Is the Fastest Way to Get to Itadaki from Nagoya Station?

The most reliable route takes roughly 10 minutes total and involves just one transfer. From Nagoya Station, board the Higashiyama Line (the yellow line on subway maps) heading east toward Fujigaoka. Ride four stops to Sakae Station, then transfer to the Meijo Line (the purple line) and ride one stop to Yabacho Station. Get off at Exit 4 and you are a 4-minute walk from Itadaki's front door.

That's it. One transfer, two lines, one exit number to remember: Exit 4.

If you're staying near Sakae, Fushimi, or Kanayama, the journey is even shorter. Yabacho Station is also within comfortable walking distance from Osu Kannon Station and Kamimaezu Station, so guests approaching from different directions have several options depending on where they're coming from.

A direct Google Maps link is available on our website at itadaki8.com/english/ — we recommend opening it before you leave your hotel rather than relying on searching in the middle of Osu's shopping arcade.

What Do I Look for Once I Exit Yabacho Station?

This is where many visitors who rely on GPS alone run into trouble. Itadaki is located on the 2nd floor of a building at 4-1-20 Osu — which means there is no window display at street level, and it's genuinely easy to walk straight past the entrance without realizing it.

Here's what to look for: once you're out of Exit 4, walk toward the Osu Shopping Street. Keep your eyes at street level for a Japanese sign that reads 「元祖レア牛丼 頂」 (pronounced "Ganso Rea Gyudon Itadaki"). When you see that sign, look for the staircase leading upward — that's your entrance. The climb to the 2nd floor takes about 10 seconds.

Two nearby landmarks that help confirm you're in the right area: Osu Kannon Temple is a short walk away, and the main covered entrance to the Osu Shopping Street arcade is visible from the surrounding streets. If you can see either of those, Itadaki is close.

One practical note for guests with strollers: because Itadaki is on the 2nd floor, access does require taking the staircase. Strollers can be brought into the restaurant, and staff may be able to assist with carrying depending on how busy the kitchen is at that moment — but please understand that assistance can't be guaranteed. If you're traveling with a stroller, it's worth factoring in a little extra time.

✓ Key Takeaways

• From Nagoya Station: Higashiyama Line to Sakae → Meijo Line to Yabacho → Exit 4 → 4-minute walk. Total: approximately 10 minutes.
• Look for the sign 「元祖レア牛丼 頂」 at street level and take the stairs to the 2nd floor — GPS alone may not get you the whole way there.
• A Google Maps direct link is on our English website so you can navigate from your current location without searching in Japanese.

What If I'm Coming from Osu Kannon or the Shopping Arcade — Is Rare Beef Worth Navigating There?

If you're already exploring the Osu district on foot — perhaps after visiting Osu Kannon Temple, browsing the 1,200-shop arcade, or stopping by Hisaya-odori Garden Flarie near Yabacho Station — then you're already in the right neighborhood. Itadaki sits right at the edge of the Osu shopping area, making it a natural lunch stop before or after exploring.

For context on why the destination itself is worth the navigation: Itadaki opened in April 2022 as the originator of what we call "Rare Wagyu Gyudon" — a concept that reimagines Japan's everyday beef bowl using ultra-rare wagyu from Aichi Prefecture, prepared with a proprietary two-stage cooking method that meets Japan's food safety standards while delivering a distinct rare-style texture. The beef is sourced from Horai Wagyu, one of Japan's rarest wagyu breeds with only 300 heads raised annually, fed on sake lees from a renowned local premium sake. Every ingredient on the table — rice, sauce, egg, pickles, shiso leaves — comes from somewhere within Aichi Prefecture.

That's the full picture of what's waiting once you find the staircase.

"The five-step eating guide made the dish even more enjoyable and memorable."

— Guest review

That guide, printed in English and available at the table, walks you through how to enjoy the dish in sequence — from separating the Nagoya Cochin egg to adding the tabletop condiments at just the right moment. It's one of those small details that guests consistently mention, because it transforms lunch from a meal into something you actively participate in.

Is It Worth Making a Reservation Before I Go?

For the Mikawa Beef Rare Wagyu Gyudon, walk-ins are generally welcome during our lunch service. But if you're specifically hoping for the Horai Wagyu version — the ultra-rare option that uses beef from just 300 heads raised annually — please know that it's limited to 10 bowls per day and can sell out during peak hours, especially on weekends and public holidays.

Itadaki is open for lunch only: 11:00–15:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with a slightly earlier opening at 9:00 on public holidays. Last order is 30 minutes before closing. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday are closed. Irregular closures do occasionally happen — we announce our monthly business calendar on our official Instagram, so it's worth a quick check before you head out, especially if you're making a special trip from your hotel or from another part of Aichi.

Reservations are accepted via Tabelog online. If the Horai Wagyu is part of the reason you're making the trip, booking ahead gives you the peace of mind that a bowl will be waiting.

For guests wondering about the food safety side of "rare-style" beef preparation — that's a completely fair question, and one we answer in detail in our dedicated article on whether rare wagyu is safe to eat in Japan. The short version: our two-stage cooking method heats the beef to above 70°C at the core, fully satisfying Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare standards, while preserving the texture that makes this dish unlike anything else in Nagoya.

Do I Need to Speak Japanese to Navigate and Order?

Not at all. Printed menus are available in English, Simplified Chinese, and Korean. The five-step photographic eating guide at the table is also in English. You don't need to memorize any Japanese phrases to order, enjoy the dish, or ask basic questions of the staff.

For getting here: the subway signs at Nagoya Station, Sakae, and Yabacho all display English text. Exit 4 at Yabacho is marked in English. The one piece of Japanese that's genuinely useful to have saved on your phone is the sign you're looking for at street level: 「元祖レア牛丼 頂」 — showing that on your screen to someone nearby will immediately point you in the right direction if you're unsure.

There's no parking attached to the restaurant, but several coin parking lots are within a 1–3 minute walk of Itadaki for guests arriving by car. That said, public transit is significantly easier for getting in and out of the Osu area, particularly on busy weekends.

For the complete menu, current pricing, access map, and full store information in English, visit our official page at itadaki8.com/english/. Everything you need to plan your visit — including the Google Maps direct link — is there in one place.