12 Minutes by Bus from Nasushiobara Station West Exit to enjoy tonkatsu @ Katsudon Kashiwaya while supporting local food production!
When I visited the Cheese Garden last time, I found out that there’s a katsudon* shop called “Katsudon Kashiwaya” inside the NASU GARDEN OUTLET, where they use ingredients sourced from the Nasu highlands.
So this time, I decided to check it out!
Once again, I hopped on the free shuttle bus from Nasushiobara Station’s west exit — just about a 12-minute ride — and went to try their special tonkatsu**, which highlights the local flavors of the Nasu highlands.
*Katsudon is a bowl of rice topped with pork cutlet and egg.
**Tonkatsu is basically Japan’s version of a fried pork cutlet — super crispy, juicy, and ridiculously satisfying. Best enjoyed with rice, miso soup, and a drizzle of tonkatsu sauce!
- Basic info about the restaurant
- Menu and prices at Katsudon Kashiwaya
- What the inside of the restaurant looks like
- My impressions of the tonkatsu set meal
Basic infomation on the restaurant
- Name：Katsudon Kashiwaya (NASU GARDEN OUTLET branch)
- Category：Katsudon, Tonkatsu set meal
- Address：184-7 Shionozaki, Nasushiobara-shi, Tochigi-ken (Inside the NASU GARDEN OUTLET)
- Access：About 8–12 minutes by a free shuttle bus from the west exit of Station Nasushiobara
- Business Hours: 11:00 ~ 19:00 (L.O.18:30)
- Regular Holiday: Follows the business days of the NASU GARDEN OUTLET
- Phone Number: 0287-73-8321
- Official Website/SNS
Review of my actual experience visiting
The menu offered two options: “katsudon” and “set meals.”
I haven’t created an English version, but it’s something like this.
Ordered Menu and Price
Tonkatsu Set Meal (¥1,400)*
*I went between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, so I got the lunch discount—50 yen off! Lucky timing.
About taste
I ordered the tonkatsu set meal, which is a Japanese dish that consists of breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet served with rice and side dishes.
What surprised me most was how light it tasted.
The coating was thin and crispy, while the pork itself was tender and easy to eat.
The fine texture of the meat gave it a clean flavor, and even the fatty parts had a smooth finish without being greasy.
It paired perfectly with the white rice, and I enjoyed every bite until the end.
The side dishes were pickles and miso soup — both lightly seasoned, so they didn’t overpower the meal but added a nice balance instead.
Another highlight is that this restaurant uses locally sourced pork, which means every bite not only tastes good but also supports the community and local farmers.
Even after finishing, I didn’t feel heavy at all.
The refreshing umami of the tonkatsu lingered pleasantly, making it a truly satisfying set meal.
The price felt a little on the high side, but the quality & concept more than made up for it—it was definitely worth it.
The atmosphere inside
When I walked in, the center of the restaurant was filled with tables.
I went on a weekday afternoon, and even then it was pretty busy with lots of customers.
The staff looked super busy taking orders and clearing tables.
After I ordered, my tonkatsu set meal came out in about 10 minutes—freshly fried and piping hot!
Features & Usability of Katsudon Kashiwaya
Here’s a quick look at the dining scenes and facilities at Katsudon Kashiwaya located inside the NASU GARDEN OUTLET.
Recommended for different occasions
There’s no counter seating, but it’s still fine to go solo.
I saw some families, but since they don’t have kids’ menu options like “children’s lunch plates,” there weren’t many people with little kids.
The location is really convenient since it’s inside the outlet—you can grab a meal and then go shopping around.
One thing to note: dogs are allowed in the outlet area, so there are quite a few people walking around with them. Of course, pets aren’t allowed inside the restaurant, but if you’re not a dog person, walking between shops might feel a bit tough.
Facilities
- Wi-Fi：Available
- Smoking：Smoke-free restaurant
- Payment method
- Cash
- Creditcard：VISA、Master、JCB、American Express、UnionPay(銀聯)
- QR：PayPay, au PAY, LINE Pay, AEON Pay, etc.
Access & map
For directions to the NASU GARDEN OUTLET, please see this article.
Once you arrive at the OUTLET, go straight along the path in front of you.
Go through Gate B and keep walking straight.
Turn right when you see the outdoor brand store Columbia, and keep walking straight.
You’ll see Katsudon Kashiwaya on your right.
Summary｜Who I recommend Cheese Garden for
- For people who want to enjoy Katsudon/Tonkatsu while shopping (and also explore the OUTLET).
- Perfect for anyone who wants a lighter-style tonkatsu.
- Great choice if you want to support local farmers and eat local.
- For those without a car.
👉 If you’re around Nasushiobara Station and craving katsudon or tonkatsu, hop on the free shuttle bus and head over to the NASU GARDEN OUTLET!
