Glicine
Kusatsu
Restaurant in Kusatsu, Japan
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$100–150per person
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
A six-seat Italian omakase above a residential block in Kusatsu, where chef Tsutomu Fujisaki (Tuscany-trained) serves synchronized courses at noon and 18:30. Lunch is JPY 8,800, dinner JPY 13,750 plus service; Tabelog 100 recognition (Italian WEST, 2023 and 2025) confirms technical depth, but the format is rigid: reserve by the day before, arrive on time, no à la carte. Worth it for omakase discipline; skip if you want flexibility.
About Glicine
Glicine is a Kusatsu restaurant with lunch and dinner hours every day: 12–3 PM and 6:30–9:30 PM. The price bands are JPY 8,000–9,999 and JPY 15,000–19,999, and the dress code is smart casual. It is also listed in Tabelog 100 - Italian - WEST - 2025.
What to Know About Glicine
The essentials are straightforward: Glicine is in Kusatsu, operates for both lunch and dinner daily, and sits in a premium price range. Lunch hours are 12–3 PM, while dinner hours are 6:30–9:30 PM. The price bands are JPY 8,000–9,999 and JPY 15,000–19,999.
The dress code is smart casual. If you are planning a special meal, that makes Glicine a better fit for diners who are comfortable with a polished but not overly formal setting. For details such as seating layout, service style, dietary accommodations, and course structure, check with the restaurant rather than assuming a counter format, omakase format, or specific menu experience.
Price, Peers, and Whether It Earns the Premium
Glicine’s price bands place it above many casual meals in Kusatsu and in a range where diners should confirm the current offering before committing. The restaurant’s clearest distinction is its inclusion in Tabelog 100 - Italian - WEST - 2025. That recognition gives it a useful point of reference, but it should not be used to infer details such as seat count, chef history, tasting-menu structure, wine program, or exact course pricing.
For comparison, diners may also consider names such as Kogetsu, Pan du Marche, SPANISH BAR PLOMO, Tezukuri Hamburger steak Apeze, and 馳走 とし藤, or simply compare Glicine with other dining in Kusatsu.
The verdict: Glicine is worth shortlisting if you want a premium Kusatsu restaurant with lunch and dinner service, smart-casual dress, and Tabelog 100 - Italian - WEST - 2025 recognition.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: 12–3 PM, 6:30–9:30 PM · Tuesday: 12–3 PM, 6:30–9:30 PM
- Location
- Japan, 〒525-0055 Shiga, Kusatsu, Nojicho, 469-4 2階
- Website
- instagram.com/glicine.kusatsu.shiga.official/?hl=ja
- Phone
- +81 77-564-6617
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Glicine presents a quiet, inviting atmosphere that leans into simplicity and sincerity. The small, couple-run space is cozy and centers on an intimate dining experience with just six seats. The restaurant’s ethos, summarized as 'Essence Served Simply and Sincerely,' reinforces a restrained, unfussy approach to hospitality and cooking. The scale and ownership give the room a personal, lived-in quality: service feels attentive and familiar rather than formal, and the overall impression is one of warmth and understatement. Guests encounter a focused, small-scale environment where the setting enhances rather than competes with the food.
Best For
Glicine is best for guests seeking a quiet, intimate meal rather than a large-group night out. Its six-seat layout and couple-run operation make it particularly well suited to date nights, one-on-one dinners, or solo diners who appreciate undistracted, small-scale service. The compact footprint means the experience is inherently personal and slow-paced: conversations can be private and the attention is concentrated on each guest. This is not a venue for boisterous gatherings; instead, it rewards diners who want a close, understated meal with a strong sense of hospitality.
Ordering Tips
Menu detail for Glicine is available on Tabelog, which features menus, maps, user reviews and photos. The restaurant’s cuisine is Italian, with pasta and yoshoku (Japanese-style Western dishes) noted, so expect a focus on those categories. Given the extremely small dining room, review photos and user comments before you go to get a sense of portioning and dishes.
Venue details
Ambiance
An intimate, quiet setting with only a single six-seat table, giving the feel of a private dining room and allowing for attentive, personalized service typical of a small high-end Italian restaurant in Japan.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Quiet
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Intimate
- Kitchen
- Seasonal
- Menu Format
- Set menu, Tasting menu
- Drinks Focus
- Wine
- Private Dining
- Available
Signature Dishes
Omi beef course dishes
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- Japan, 〒525-0055 Shiga, Kusatsu, Nojicho, 469-4 2階
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 12–3 PM, 6:30–9:30 PM
- Tuesday
- 12–3 PM, 6:30–9:30 PM
- Wednesday
- 12–3 PM, 6:30–9:30 PM
- Thursday
- 12–3 PM, 6:30–9:30 PM
- Friday
- 12–3 PM, 6:30–9:30 PM
- Saturday
- 12–3 PM, 6:30–9:30 PM
- Sunday
- 12–3 PM, 6:30–9:30 PM
Location
Japan, 〒525-0055 Shiga, Kusatsu, Nojicho, 469-4 2階 · Directions
Recognition and awards
Also consider
Also Consider
- 馳走 とし藤, Notable alternative
- Pan du Marche, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 View spending breakdown, JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999 View spending breakdown
- SPANISH BAR PLOMO, JPY 6,000 - JPY 7,999, JPY 6,000 - JPY 7,999
- Kogetsu, Notable alternative
- Tezukuri Hamburger steak Apeze, JPY 2,000 - JPY 2,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999, JPY 2,000 - JPY 2,999 JPY 1,000 - JPY 1,999
Restaurant context
Against Kusatsu peers, this sits alone in the omakase-Italian lane. SPANISH BAR PLOMO offers tapas at JPY 6,000–7,999 with walk-in ease and à la carte flexibility, making it the better choice for casual groups or spontaneous bookings. Pan du Marche anchors the budget end (bakery-café, JPY 1,000–1,999) and handles breakfast or lunch without reservations. Kogetsu and Hakata Tonkotsu Masao operate in different categories (Japanese kaiseki and tonkotsu ramen, respectively) but share broader menu accessibility, if you want choices rather than chef-driven omakase, either works better than the six-seat counter here.
The value proposition depends on how much you prize intimacy and technical polish. At JPY 13,750 for dinner (plus 8% service), you're paying double what SPANISH BAR PLOMO charges, but you're also getting Tabelog 100 recognition, sommelier-led beverage pairing, and a format where the chef cooks for six guests simultaneously. For special occasions or diners who find omakase structure appealing, that premium makes sense. For everyday dining or groups seeking variety, the tapas bar or Tezukuri Hamburger steak Apeze (JPY 2,000–2,999, casual yoshoku) deliver better flexibility per yen. The synchronized start times (noon or 18:30 only) narrow your window more than most Kusatsu dining rooms.
Explore Kusatsu
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Glicine guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat at the bar at Glicine?
Ask the restaurant directly about bar or counter seating. Glicine is in Kusatsu and has lunch hours from 12–3 PM and dinner hours from 6:30–9:30 PM daily.
Is Glicine good for a special occasion?
Glicine may suit diners looking for a premium meal in Kusatsu, with price bands of JPY 8,000–9,999 and JPY 15,000–19,999 and a smart-casual dress code.
What are alternatives to Glicine?
Other names to consider when planning include 馳走 とし藤, Pan du Marche, SPANISH BAR PLOMO, Tezukuri Hamburger steak Apeze, and Kogetsu, along with other dining in Kusatsu.
Is Glicine worth the price?
Glicine’s price bands are JPY 8,000–9,999 and JPY 15,000–19,999. It is also listed in Tabelog 100 - Italian - WEST - 2025.
