Within a two-hour drive from most Kanto Plain bases and close to a World Heritage site in Nikko, Kinugawa Onsen is a popular hot spring resort, home to unique tourist attractions, Tobu World Square and Edo Wonderland.

During your pleasant stroll through this scenic onsen town, be sure to stop by a delicious hamburger joint near the majestic Kinutateiwa Suspension Bridge, a 37‑meter‑high, 140‑meter‑long pedestrian bridge.

Comet Burger serves homemade hamburgers made with Tochigi Wagyu beef and fresh vegetables produced by local farmers and livestock growers.

When my wife, daughter and I stepped in the burger joint housed in Yu-ing Plaza souvenir complex, we found an American country‑style décor with a casual counter and several round tables.

We ordered the shop’s signature Classic Burger for 1,250 yen, along with set drinks for an additional 250 yen. I chose mango juice, while my wife and daughter opted for Coca‑Cola served in classic, nostalgic glass bottles.

For the burgers, we could choose from four sauces: Aurora (ketchup, mayonnaise, and Worcestershire sauce based), Oriental (soy sauce and mayonnaise based), Mustard Mayo, or no sauce with salt and black pepper. I chose Oriental sauce, while my wife and daughter went with Aurora.

Since each burger is cooked to order, we had to wait about 20 minutes. It took a little while for starved travelers, but the wait was well worth it when our piping‑hot large burgers arrived in square paper sleeves.

The Classic Burger features lightly toasted buns and two 80‑gram patties made from 100-percent Tochigi Wagyu beef, topped with a thick slice of fresh tomato, sauteed thick sliced onion, and crisp leaf lettuce—making the burger a hearty meal.

If you wish, you can ask a staffer to cut your burger in half for easier eating.

The well‑seasoned Wagyu patties were outstanding—crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and packed with rich beef flavor. Each bite released concentrated umami flavor that went along beautifully with the slightly sweet, lightly crisped buns and fresh vegetables. The thick crispy sauteed onions added a pleasant sweetness and texture.

It was delicious!

Unfortunately, the oriental sauce I selected was disappointing. The combination of mayonnaise and soy sauce was a bit too sour and tangy, and it covered up the savory flavor of the wagyu beef. It wasn’t bad, but since the patties themselves were very flavorful, going without sauce might have been the better choice.

My wife and daughter enjoyed the aurora sauce and said it made their burger even better.

Drop by Comet Burger to enjoy a tasty homemade wagyu burger, a true taste of Tochigi, when you visit Kinugawa Onsen!

Comet Burger

• Address: 15-13 Oohara, Kinugawa Onsen, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture

• Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• Website: https://yu-ingplaza.com/cometburger/

• Phone: 0288-77-2727

American

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