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Kichijoji is home to many trendy restaurants, but there aren't many taverns suitable for back-alley drinkers, especially those that serve lunchtime drinks. In addition to the long-established yakitori restaurant Iseya, there's another place that could be described as a haven for daytime drinking. Head down through a small entrance to the basement floor...

Located halfway up the slope of Hyakkendana, this yakitori bar has a retro look that you might pass by without noticing unless you're a fan of long-established bars. It was founded in the 1970s and has been in business for over half a century.

Founded in Fukagawa before the war, when the owner returned from evacuation during the war to find the area a burnt-out wasteland, he decided to move the restaurant to Kayabacho in 1947, and since then, he has been a long-established sushi restaurant on Suzuran Street near the financial district of Kabutocho for nearly 80 years.

Though the drinking scene in Kanto and Kansai may seem similar, it's actually quite different, from the drinks, snacks, store layouts, and even the characteristics of their customers. Suzuki Nao, a native of Kanto but resident of Kansai, and Parikko, his partner in the unit "Sake no Ana," which explores the possibilities of alcohol, discuss the situation and share their own experiences...

This oden izakaya is part of the popular sushi restaurant "Shutoku." It's one of the few affordable izakayas in the Tsukiji Outer Market. Budgets start at around 3,500 yen. Their oden, made with flying fish stock, and their mizutaki (chicken hot pot), made with chicken bones like maple leaves simmered for eight hours, are guaranteed to be delicious. (Tie-up with:...

Nonjaya, with three locations in Shinjuku 3-Chome, is a classic bar that has been around since the Showa era and is a favorite of anyone who has been drinking in Shinjuku for many years. Established half a century ago, you'll recognize it by its yellow sign at the end of a T-junction. The 50-seat restaurant is always open until 6am...

Located in Sakanamachi, an underpass adjacent to JR Sakuragicho Station, this izakaya restaurant specializes in tempura. It is a sister restaurant of Kushiage and Wine Hachi in Noge. Its seafood tempura, sourced from the Yokohama Central Wholesale Market and other locations, is highly rated. We experienced its appeal with a representative from Sapporo Beer...

In this series, "Nao Suzuki Gets Off, Walks, and Goes for a Drink," writer Nao Suzuki and I stroll around town along a single train line, stopping by interesting establishments. This time, we'll be visiting Makiochi Station, the second station in the series on the Hankyu Takarazuka Line and Minoh Line. Looking ahead to the hottest days of 2024...

When it comes to Chinese drinking in Mizonokuchi, "Nanboen," a one-minute walk from the station, is a place you cannot miss. It is a popular Chinese restaurant (machi-chuka) where you will be welcomed by a charming proprietress who has been in the business for half a century. You can enjoy drinking with precious dishes such as fried rice with egg, which is common in Chinese restaurants that have been around for a long time. ...