Restaurant in Karatsu, Japan
Award-level steakhouse; book ahead or miss out.

A Tabelog Award Bronze winner in 2022, 2025, and 2026, Caravan is Karatsu's most-recognised teppanyaki and steak restaurant, with a 4.11 score and consecutive Top 100 selections across western Japan. Budget JPY 10,000–14,999 per head. Book ahead for counter seats — they fill first — and call during the 3:00–5:00 PM window for the best chance of getting through by phone.
The common assumption about Caravan is that it's a casual neighbourhood steakhouse you can walk into on a whim. That's wrong. This is a Tabelog Award Bronze winner (2022, 2025, 2026) with a 4.11 score and consecutive selections in the Tabelog Steak & Teppanyaki WEST Top 100 from 2021 through 2025. In Karatsu — a city better known for seafood and ceramics than for grilled beef — Caravan has built a genuine reputation for teppanyaki and steak that draws diners from across Saga Prefecture. Book ahead, especially on weekends.
Caravan describes itself as a “custom-made steakhouse” , a venue where the kitchen adapts the grill to each diner's preferences rather than presenting a fixed format. That framing matters for how you evaluate the price. At JPY 10,000–14,999 per head (dinner), you are paying for attentive, preference-led service at the teppanyaki counter, not a prestige omakase or a set menu that drives itself. If you want the kitchen to make every decision for you, this may not be the right format. If you want a responsive, dialogue-driven meal at a live iron plate, it is. The service philosophy here is the point: the kitchen reads what you want and adjusts. That's a harder thing to execute consistently than a fixed tasting menu, and Caravan's sustained award record suggests it manages it well.
The restaurant has been open since July 1979 , over 45 years of operation in a single Karatsu location. That longevity in a competitive category is a credential worth noting. The drink programme shows similar care: the listing specifically calls out a focus on sake (nihonshu), shochu, and wine, which puts it above the average teppanyaki venue in terms of beverage pairing options.
Counter seats at Caravan go first, and the kitchen notes they fill on a first-come basis for walk-ins. For the full teppanyaki experience at the counter, a Wednesday or Thursday dinner (rather than a weekend slot) gives you the leading chance of a relaxed pace and more attentive service. During Golden Week, Obon, summer school holidays, and the year-end period, the venue fills significantly faster , the restaurant explicitly warns of this and recommends early reservations during those windows. Lunch runs 11:30–15:00 (last order 14:30); dinner 18:00–22:00 (last order 20:30). Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Caravan works well across a range of occasions. The venue is barrier-free and explicitly welcomes families with children and strollers, which is unusual at this price tier. Five semi-private rooms accommodate groups of 2 to 30, and the restaurant offers full private hire for 20–50 people , making it a practical choice for business dinners and celebrations that need some separation from the main floor. Solo diners are well served by the 10-seat counter. The Tabelog listing flags family dining, business, and friends as the most-recommended occasions, and the infrastructure supports all three.
Reservations: Available by phone (+81-955-74-2326) and online. For phone reservations, call between 11:00–11:30 AM or 3:00–5:00 PM for the leading chance of getting through. Book several weeks ahead during holiday periods. Budget: JPY 10,000–14,999 per head at both lunch and dinner; some review-based spending reaches JPY 15,000–19,999 at dinner. Payment: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, Diners, IC cards (Suica etc.), iD, QUICPay, PayPay. Dress: No formal dress code listed. Access: Five-minute walk from JR Karatsu Station North Exit; approximately 255 metres from Karatsu. One parking space in front (first-come); nearby paid lots if full. Do not use the adjacent Anrakuji temple parking. Facilities: Free Wi-Fi, power outlets, wheelchair access, stroller-friendly, non-smoking interior with outdoor smoking space. BYO: Permitted. Takeout: Available.
If you're building a wider Japan dining itinerary, Pearl covers a range of award-level restaurants across the country. In western Japan, Goh in Fukuoka is the closest major city to Karatsu with a deep restaurant scene. Further afield, HAJIME in Osaka, Gion Sasaki in Kyoto, and akordu in Nara represent different points on the Japanese fine-dining spectrum. For Tokyo, Harutaka covers omakase; for something outside Japan, Le Bernardin in New York City and Atomix in New York City are Pearl-tracked. Also worth knowing: Abon in Ashiya, 1000 in Yokohama, and 6 in Okinawa.
For more Karatsu specifically: browse our full Karatsu restaurants guide, hotels, bars, wineries, and experiences.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caravan | {"Year":"2026","Award Source":"Tabelog","Award Type":"The Tabelog Award","Award Group":"bronze","Award Group Rank":"41","Restaurant Name":"caravan","Score":"4.11","Budget":"Dinner: JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999; Lunch: JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999","Budget Dinner":"JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999","Budget Lunch":"JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999","Price":"JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999 JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999","Average Price":"JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999 JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999","Average Price (Based on reviews)":"JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999 JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999 View spending breakdown","Featured Item":"N/A","Full Address (with ZIP)":"佐賀県唐津市中町1845, 8470051, Japan","Address":"佐賀県唐津市中町1845","Postal Code":"8470051","City":"Nakamachi Karatsu Saga","State":"Saga","Country":"Japan","Phone":"+81955742326","Phone Raw":"+81-955-74-2326","Website":"","Description":"Check out caravan/caravan (Karatsu/Steak、Teppanyaki、Hamburger steak) on Tabelog! A \"Custom-Made Steakhouse\" that instantly understands your preferences and delivers the perfect grill! [Private rooms available / No Smoking / Online reservations] Discover Japanese restaurants featuring detailed information such as menus and maps, along with user-posted reviews, ratings, and photos!","Categories":"Steak, Teppanyaki, Hamburger steak","Awards & Recognitions":"The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2022 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2022 Bronze winner Selected for Tabelog Steak・Teppanyaki WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Steak・Teppanyaki WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Steak・Teppanyaki WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Steak・Teppanyaki WEST \"Tabelog 100\" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Steak・Teppanyaki \"Tabelog 100\" 2022 Selected for Tabelog Steak・Teppanyaki \"Tabelog 100\" 2022 Selected for Tabelog Steak \"Tabelog 100\" 2021 Selected for Tabelog Steak \"Tabelog 100\" 2021 受賞・選出歴 閉じる The Tabelog Award 受賞歴 2026年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze 受賞店 2025年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze 受賞店 2022年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2022 Bronze 受賞店 百名店 選出歴 ステーキ・鉄板焼き 百名店 2025 選出店 食べログ ステーキ・鉄板焼き WEST 百名店 2025 選出店 ステーキ・鉄板焼き 百名店 2024 選出店 食べログ ステーキ・鉄板焼き WEST 百名店 2024 選出店 ステーキ・鉄板焼き 百名店 2022 選出店 食べログ ステーキ・鉄板焼き 百名店 2022 選出店 ステーキ 百名店 2021 選出店 食べログ ステーキ 百名店 2021 選出店","Reservation availability":"Reservations available During business hours, it may be difficult to reach us by phone, but please don't hesitate to call. We look forward to your reservation! We recommend calling during the hours of 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, as these are the best times to get through.","Business hours":"Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, Public Holiday, Day before public holiday, Day after public holiday 11:30 - 15:00 L.O. 14:30 18:00 - 22:00 L.O. 20:30 Mon, Tue Closed 【Message from the Chef】 ★ Follow us on Instagram for updates! ■ During busy seasons such as Golden Week, holiday periods, summer vacation, Obon, and year-end & New Year holidays, reservations tend to fill up quickly. We recommend making your reservations early. ■ Our popular counter seats are the first to go! First come, first served! ■ For inquiries about business hours, please call us. We also welcome discussions for celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries, as well as group banquets and private reservations.","Payment methods":"Credit card accepted (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners) Electronic money accepted (Transportation IC cards (e.g., Suica), iD, QUICPay) QR code payments accepted (PayPay)","Private rooms":"Available For 2 people, For 4 people, For 6 people, For 8 people, For 10-20 people, For 20-30 people 30 private seats (5 rooms) * These are semi-private rooms separated by partitions. * The facility is barrier-free.","Non-smoking/smoking":"Non smoking There is a smoking space outside the store.","Number of seats":"30 seats ( 10 seats at the counter, 5 rooms with 4-seat tables)","Private use":"Available For 20-50 people, For up to 20 people","Parking":"Available There is one parking space available on a first-come, first-served basis in front of the restaurant. If the parking is full, please use a nearby paid parking lot. *Please do not park in the adjacent Anrakuji parking lot under any circumstances.","Space/facilities":"Stylish space, Relaxing space, Spacious seating, Couple seating, Counter seating, Sports viewing, Wheelchair access, Power outlets available, Free Wi-Fi available, Wheelchair accessible","Drink":"Sake (Nihonshu), Shochu (Japanese spirits), Wine, Cocktails available, Particular about Sake (Nihonshu), Particular about Shochu (Japanese spirits), Particular about wine","Food":"Particular about vegetable, Health and wellness menu, Vegetarian options","Service":"Parties over 2.5 hours, Celebrations and surprises(Birthday plate), BYO drinks, Take-out","Family friendly":"Children welcome(Babies welcome, Preschoolers welcome, School-age children welcome), Strollers welcome Kids cutlery available. It is barrier-free, so strollers are welcome.","Service charge & fee":"Smile for free♪ Original text スマイル0円♪ This section has been automatically translated. Please check with the restaurant for accurate information.","Dress code":"N/A","Maximum party size":"N/A","Location":"Hideout, A house restaurant","Occasion":"Family friendly | Business | Friends This occasion is recommended by many people.","Remarks":"You can use charging outlets and free Wi-Fi. You can relax even when your computer or mobile phone battery is running low!","The opening day":"1979.7.6","Receipt (Qualified simple invoice)":"N/A","Latitude":"33.4479308362091","Longitude":"129.96961446753158","Primary Image URL":"","Image URL Count":"20","Image URLs":"","Restaurant ID":"41002233","Source URL":"","Raw Details JSON":"{\"Restaurant name\":\"caravan\",\"Awards & Recognitions\":\"The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2022 Bronze winner The Tabelog Award 2022 Bronze winner Selected for Tabelog Steak・Teppanyaki WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Steak・Teppanyaki WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2025 Selected for Tabelog Steak・Teppanyaki WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Steak・Teppanyaki WEST \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2024 Selected for Tabelog Steak・Teppanyaki \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2022 Selected for Tabelog Steak・Teppanyaki \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2022 Selected for Tabelog Steak \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2021 Selected for Tabelog Steak \\\"Tabelog 100\\\" 2021 受賞・選出歴 閉じる The Tabelog Award 受賞歴 2026年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2026 Bronze 受賞店 2025年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2025 Bronze 受賞店 2022年Bronze受賞店 The Tabelog Award 2022 Bronze 受賞店 百名店 選出歴 ステーキ・鉄板焼き 百名店 2025 選出店 食べログ ステーキ・鉄板焼き WEST 百名店 2025 選出店 ステーキ・鉄板焼き 百名店 2024 選出店 食べログ ステーキ・鉄板焼き WEST 百名店 2024 選出店 ステーキ・鉄板焼き 百名店 2022 選出店 食べログ ステーキ・鉄板焼き 百名店 2022 選出店 ステーキ 百名店 2021 選出店 食べログ ステーキ 百名店 2021 選出店\",\"Categories\":\"Steak, Teppanyaki, Hamburger steak\",\"Phone number (for reservation and inquiry)\":\"0955-74-2326\",\"Reservation availability\":\"Reservations available During business hours, it may be difficult to reach us by phone, but please don't hesitate to call. We look forward to your reservation! We recommend calling during the hours of 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, as these are the best times to get through.\",\"Address\":\"佐賀県唐津市中町1845 Show larger map Find nearby restaurants Transportation 5 minutes walk from JR Karatsu Station North Exit 255 meters from Karatsu.\",\"Business hours\":\"Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, Public Holiday, Day before public holiday, Day after public holiday 11:30 - 15:00 L.O. 14:30 18:00 - 22:00 L.O. 20:30 Mon, Tue Closed 【Message from the Chef】 ★ Follow us on Instagram for updates! ■ During busy seasons such as Golden Week, holiday periods, summer vacation, Obon, and year-end & New Year holidays, reservations tend to fill up quickly. We recommend making your reservations early. ■ Our popular counter seats are the first to go! First come, first served! ■ For inquiries about business hours, please call us. We also welcome discussions for celebrations such as birthdays and anniversaries, as well as group banquets and private reservations.\",\"Average price\":\"JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999 JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999\",\"Average price (Based on reviews)\":\"JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999 JPY 15,000 - JPY 19,999 View spending breakdown\",\"Payment methods\":\"Credit card accepted (VISA, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners) Electronic money accepted (Transportation IC cards (e.g., Suica), iD, QUICPay) QR code payments accepted (PayPay)\",\"Service charge & fee\":\"Smile for free♪ Original text スマイル0円♪ This section has been automatically translated. Please check with the restaurant for accurate information.\",\"Number of seats\":\"30 seats ( 10 seats at the counter, 5 rooms with 4-seat tables)\",\"Private rooms\":\"Available For 2 people, For 4 people, For 6 people, For 8 people, For 10-20 people, For 20-30 people 30 private seats (5 rooms) * These are semi-private rooms separated by partitions. * The facility is barrier-free.\",\"Private use\":\"Available For 20-50 people, For up to 20 people\",\"Non-smoking/smoking\":\"Non smoking There is a smoking space outside the store.\",\"Parking\":\"Available There is one parking space available on a first-come, first-served basis in front of the restaurant. If the parking is full, please use a nearby paid parking lot. *Please do not park in the adjacent Anrakuji parking lot under any circumstances.\",\"Space/facilities\":\"Stylish space, Relaxing space, Spacious seating, Couple seating, Counter seating, Sports viewing, Wheelchair access, Power outlets available, Free Wi-Fi available, Wheelchair accessible\",\"Drink\":\"Sake (Nihonshu), Shochu (Japanese spirits), Wine, Cocktails available, Particular about Sake (Nihonshu), Particular about Shochu (Japanese spirits), Particular about wine\",\"Food\":\"Particular about vegetable, Health and wellness menu, Vegetarian options\",\"Occasion\":\"Family friendly | Business | Friends This occasion is recommended by many people.\",\"Location\":\"Hideout, A house restaurant\",\"Service\":\"Parties over 2.5 hours, Celebrations and surprises(Birthday plate), BYO drinks, Take-out\",\"Family friendly\":\"Children welcome(Babies welcome, Preschoolers welcome, School-age children welcome), Strollers welcome Kids cutlery available. It is barrier-free, so strollers are welcome.\",\"Website\":\"",\"The opening day\":\"1979.7.6\",\"Remarks\":\"You can use charging outlets and free Wi-Fi. You can relax even when your computer or mobile phone battery is running low!\"}","Matched Location ID":"69c77a3e-066a-4e1c-8e6e-c8e5cf6061f7","Match Status":"matched","Match Method":"award_page_url_exact","Match Confidence":"high","Matched On URL":"","Matched DB Name":"Caravan","Matched DB Address":"Saga Karatsu City中 Town 1845","Needs Review":"no","Review Reason":"","Fallback Score":"","Fallback Name Sim":"","Fallback Addr Sim":"","Fallback Loc Sim":"","Fallback City Sim":"","Fallback Country Sim":"","Fallback Phone Match":"","Fallback Domain Match":"","Fallback Explanation":""}; Tabelog Bronze Award 2025 Score: 4.12 Cuisine: Yakiniku/Meat dishes / Saga Phone: 0955-74-2326 Hours: Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, Public Holiday, Day before public holiday, Day after public holiday 11:30 - 15:00 L.O. 14:30 18:00 - 22:00 L.O. 20:30 Address: Saga Karatsu City中 Town 1845 Tabelog: | Easy | — | ||
| Aru Tokoro | Japanese Cuisine, Regional Cuisine, Seafood | JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999 JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999 View spending breakdown | Unknown | — | |
| Chuka Ooshige | Chinese | JPY 10,000 - JPY 14,999 View spending breakdown | Unknown | — | |
| Tanokyu | Ramen | Unknown | — |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
The venue is categorised as steak, teppanyaki, and hamburger steak, and describes itself as a custom-made steakhouse where the kitchen adapts the grill to each diner's preferences. That framing suggests the steak courses are the reason to visit, not supplementary items. Budget JPY 10,000–14,999 per head, with some reviewers spending JPY 15,000–19,999 at dinner.
Pricing is comparable across both services — JPY 10,000–14,999 either way — so the choice comes down to logistics. Counter seats fill first at both sessions. If you want the teppanyaki counter experience, lunch (11:30–15:00, last order 14:30) may be slightly easier to secure than a prime dinner slot, particularly on weekends and public holidays.
Yes. The restaurant has 10 counter seats, which is a strong solo option at this price point and format. Counter seats are explicitly noted as the first to fill, so solo diners should book ahead rather than walk in, especially Wednesday through Sunday when the venue operates.
Caravan has a 10-seat teppanyaki counter — the closest equivalent to bar seating here. These are the most sought-after spots and go first, so they function as first-come seats for walk-ins. Book by phone (call between 11:00–11:30 AM or 3:00–5:00 PM) or online via the venue website to secure one.
Karatsu's dining scene is limited compared with Fukuoka city, so Caravan sits at the top of the local steak and teppanyaki options with consistent Tabelog recognition since 2021. For comparable award-level dining in the broader Kyushu region, Fukuoka is the nearest city with a wider pool of Tabelog-recognised restaurants.
Yes — the venue explicitly supports celebrations including birthday plates and anniversary dinners, and has five semi-private rooms accommodating 2 to 30 guests. Private full-venue hire is available for 20–50 people. For smaller groups wanting more intimacy, request one of the enclosed rooms rather than the open counter.
No dress code is listed, and the venue is family-friendly with stroller access and children's cutlery, which points to a relaxed standard. Given the JPY 10,000–14,999 price point and Tabelog Bronze recognition, neat casual is a reasonable baseline — neither formal dress nor beachwear fits the context of a teppanyaki dinner at this level.
Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun, Public Holiday, Day before public holiday, Day after public holiday 11:30 - 15:00 L.O. 14:30 18:00 - 22:00 L.O. 20:30
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.