Food trucks are all the rage in the United States, but we doubt there’s one like this in any of the 50 states. We tracked down a mobile pizzeria in Nagano, Japan that has a wood-burning pizza oven. That’s right, an open-flame in the back of a van! We just had to try a pizza from such a bizarre place.
Santarosa is just a food truck offering up pizza napoletana at a reasonable price.
▼ Behold, a humble food truck.
That is until you take a look inside.
- The wood is actually on fire!
Somehow, the owner of Santarosa managed to stuff a wood-burning pizza stove into the back of the van. No, it’s not a fake, that’s an actual pizza stove with actual fire. The poor pizza chef is forced to work under cramped (and undoubtedly hot) conditions to churn out authentic wood fired pizza.
- Ordering pizza margherita
Our reporter came across the Santarosa pizza truck at a festival in Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture. After taking a look at the menu (and finding out that all of the small size pizzas were sold out), he settled for a medium size pizza margherita.
▼ Santarosa’s menu
▼ Cute little figurines on the counter.
- It’s authentic pizza!
Although our reporter was a bit skeptical about ordering pizza out of the back of a van, his fears were assuaged after his first bite. The dough was cooked to a perfect golden brown, but still maintained its fluffiness. The cheese was melted and melded with the basil on top. It was as if he ordered it at a fancy Italian restaurant. He couldn’t believe that such a delicious pizza came from a food truck.
▼ Look at that crust!
▼ And wash it all down with a Pellegrino.
So if you’re in the Nagano area, be sure to keep an eye out for Santarosa, the mobile pizzeria. Not only will you get a delicious pizza at a reasonable price, the sheer novelty of witnessing a wood-burning stove inside a car is enough to warrant a special visit.
▼ Santarosa’s schedule for October.
Images: RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Man with face covered in tattoos admits to repeatedly headbutting Tokyo store clerk【Video】
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
Almost exactly half of the new adults in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward are foreigners
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Man with face covered in tattoos admits to repeatedly headbutting Tokyo store clerk【Video】
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
Almost exactly half of the new adults in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward are foreigners
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Japan’s last two pandas leaving for China next month, Ueno Zoo announces final day for twins
5 Japanese women who can kick your ass (in martial arts)【Women in Japan Series】
Hypnosis bar opens in Tokyo, with prizes for those who don’t fall into a hypnotic state
Second-hand video game fukubukuro lucky bags reveal nostalgic surprises
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Japan’s last two pandas leaving for China next month, Ueno Zoo announces final day for twins
5 Japanese women who can kick your ass (in martial arts)【Women in Japan Series】
Hypnosis bar opens in Tokyo, with prizes for those who don’t fall into a hypnotic state
Second-hand video game fukubukuro lucky bags reveal nostalgic surprises
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
7-Eleven now sells rice burgers in Japan, blurring the line between fast and convenience store food
Shakey’s is back! All-you-can-eat pizza chain returns to downtown Tokyo’s Shinjuku
Bamboo trees vandalized near Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari shrine, foreign graffiti prevalent
New KitKat pizzas are coming to Pizza Hut Japan
Final Fantasy and Shinkansen announce collaboration with in-train audio play, SD art and merch
Why do seats at some Japanese station platforms face away from the trains?
Japan’s Kinki University decides to change its naughty-sounding name
Leave a Reply