Dining by firefly light at Chinzan-so
From late May to late July as night falls, fireflies light up the historical Japanese garden of the Chinzan-so restaurant complex in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo. To coincide with their appearance, from May 24 through July 18, the annual firefly-viewing fair, featuring special lunch and dinner menus, will be held.
A two-hour dinner buffet at the Chinzan-so banquet rooms will feature Japanese and Western dishes, with unlimited beer, wine, whiskey, shochu and soft drinks. The buffet starts at 7 p.m. and costs ¥9,000 for adults, ¥4,000 for elementary school students and ¥2,000 for children over 3 years old on weekdays, and ¥10,000, ¥4,000 and ¥2,000 on weekends and holidays. People over age 60 will get a ¥1,000 discount, and those wearing yukata will receive an original gift to go with their summer kimono. Prices include tax and service.
At the Kinsui traditional Japanese restaurant, a "firefly kaiseki" will be available between 11:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. for ¥21,000. Mokushundo, a Japanese-style barbecue restaurant deep in the garden's tranquil greenery, will serve a stone-grilled kaiseki course with seasonal ingredients, beef, seafood and vegetables. There will be three special courses for the fair: ¥11,550 (lunch only), ¥13,000 and ¥15,750. Lunch is between 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., and dinner between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. Service and room charges will be added.