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"Kikusha" in Chofu, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Located in the seaside castle town of Chofu, far from the center of Shimonoseki City, there is a restaurant that seems almost miraculous. Established in the 1950s, "Kikusha" offers signature dishes such as okonomiyaki and kamameshi. Open all day, it's popular with both those who enjoy its sweets and those who, like me, enjoy a drink during the day while traveling...

When did izakayas, the seduction-filled establishment that continues to captivate drinkers, come into being, and how have they become so beloved? This time, Professor Kenji Hashimoto of the Faculty of Human Sciences at Waseda University, author of "The Postwar History of Izakayas" (Shodensha Shinsho), who combines izakaya-hopping as a hobby and research fieldwork, will be the guest speaker...

Fujisawa "Asataro" Hisasho closed in 2017, and my personal favorite "Ittoku" closed at the end of 2023. Furthermore, three buildings in front of the station, including the Fujisawa Meiten Building, will close in 2027, and the area in front of Fujisawa Station is about to be reborn. With such a rapid turnover...

Part 16: Bentencho Station Walk: The name of Bentencho comes from the Benzaiten (Benten God), who was once enshrined here. Personally, I don't often venture out here, but when I do, I find the area around Bentencho Station to be full of interesting discoveries. JR Osaka Loop Line...

Yakiton Yangu 2nd Nakano Branch Introducing "Yakiton Yangu 2nd Nakano Branch" opened in 2021, an affiliate of the popular motsu-yaki restaurant "Yakiton Yangu" in front of Itabashi Station. The specialty is Yakiton grilled with miso. With close customer service, this is a bar that is easy to get used to, even for first-timers. ...

Nakanobu "Chūya" on the Tokyu Oimachi Line. As a Chuo Line user, I rarely ride this line. The last time I rode it, I think it was to go to Chuya in Nakanobu. Chuya is a renowned Tokyo bar that's worth making the effort to visit, and it even has a sister location in Yutenji.

Honjo Azumabashi "Meijiya Sake Shop" Just from its name, Meijiya Sake Shop seems to have a long history. The main liquor store is on the right, and the entrance to the kaku-uchi bar is on the left. Founded in 1883 (Meiji 16), it's a very long-established establishment with 140 years of history. About five years ago, they reopened the kaku-uchi bar after a 30-year hiatus....

Yakitori Iguchi in Sasazuka was founded in 1961. The nearest stations are Sasazuka Station, Higashi-Kitazawa Station, and Yoyogi-Uehara Station, but it's located in a residential area, more than a 10-minute walk from each station. Because it's not directly in front of a station, it has a very high percentage of regular customers, and while it's a yakitori restaurant, it also serves a wide variety of seafood...

A bar that has been in business since before I was born in the town where I was born. 20 years ago, some of my friends and I went there because they were working part-time, but at the time I was not interested in the flavor of the restaurant and only remember making noise with my friends. One spring day, I passed by the restaurant at 3 p.m. ...

We visit Aichiya, a 48-year-old bar run by a father and son duo. This renowned bar offers a wide variety of dishes, focusing on yakitori and stews, as well as sashimi, loach dishes, and even eel. Located in Sumida Ward, they also serve colored chuhai, which is incredibly delicious. Read more here ↓ ...

A famous stew restaurant reopens after an eight-month hiatus. "Osakaya seems to be reopening today," I heard from my drinking buddy, Mr. Taniguchi, the owner of Sasa Taniguchiya, a venerable bar in the "Sasamoto" style of skewered stew in Tokyo. Founded in 1924, this year marks its 100th anniversary...

On a quest to find snacks to go with shochu highballs, we headed to Omiya Market in Kita Ward, Saitama City. This market is open to both professionals and the general public. It's a luxury to be able to purchase fish from the market with a discerning guide in the unique atmosphere of the market. And while I was enjoying my shopping, I discovered...

LIFE LIST #14: A Walk Around Teradacho Station Teradacho Station, whose departure melody is "Life Goes On" by Insist, is located in the area named after Teradacho, which has two blocks and is home to many residential areas. Even some Osaka residents may not be familiar with the area...

Urayasu's "Marushige" Once a fishing town, Urayasu is now a commuter town and theme park town. It's notable for the many long-established seafood bars that remain in business since the days of the fishing industry. Marushige, located at the north exit of the station and in business for 65 years, is a popular Japanese restaurant run by a skilled chef. Read more...

Ube Shinkawa's "Motsusoba Tei" When traveling, you might come across some unexpected and mysterious bars. This time, we'll be introducing "Motsusoba Tei" in Showa-cho, Ube City, one such bar. This bar serves Korean cuisine and local ingredients, and its specialties are "motsunabe" (hot pot) and "motsunabe" (offal soba).