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Tokyo: A Stroll Along the Railway Lines Each train line connecting towns is home to its own unique local bar and drinking culture. In this project, we explore the deep culture of each line along the Tokyo metropolitan area. Our navigator is Kiwako Kurashima, editor-in-chief of "Koten Sakaba." Together with guests with ties to each line, we explore the town and...

Nishitetsu Kurume "Muta Shokudo" (Nishitetsu Kurume Restaurant) If you want to have a drink in Kurume from morning, we recommend "Muta Shokudo" located in Kurume Central Wholesale Market. All dishes using ingredients purchased at the market are very reasonably priced. The restaurant is a work-area cafeteria, but the fact that beer is available is a nice touch. Continue...

This Week in Hamarimeshi" No.134 "Karukaya", a popular udon restaurant on the roof of "Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store", is going to close at the end of next month, i.e. June 2024. ...... Click here to continue ↓ Weekly News

When I visit the countryside, the first thing I do is make a reservation at my favorite restaurant without being lazy. I'm the type of person who doesn't make reservations and just goes with the flow, so I've ended up crying countless times without making a reservation. Not being able to get in because of a temporary closure is a big blow, but not being able to get in because the restaurant is fully booked is 100% worse...

Founded in 1960, Kannon (Kannon Shokudo), a fresh fish restaurant located right outside the east exit of Ofuna Station, has long been loved by local residents. It was completely destroyed by a fire in 2022, but will reopen in a new building at the end of May 2023. Discover the charms of the new, even more powerful Kannon...

This Week's Addictive Meal, No. 133: The go-to place for daytime drinking in Kichijoji is the yakitori restaurant "Iseya," and you might think that's the only place to go. But there's actually another famous spot, tucked away in front of the station, where you can drink from 11:00 AM until late at night. That spot is "Ebisu (...

Moriguchi, Osaka: "Sakeya No Maeda" Moriguchi Station on the Tanimachi Line, a subway line that runs through Osaka. I had a vague idea that Moriguchi would be a residential area with a comfortable living environment, but then I discovered a place in Moriguchi that serves incredibly delicious draft beer...

Akitsu, home to West Hoppy Street, is a city lined with famous stew restaurants, including Yakitori Nojima, Salaryman, and Harukoma. I was so busy trying stews that I almost missed it, but I found an incredible restaurant: High Rabbit...

What is Kantoni in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture? Kantoni is a soul food of Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture. When you hear "Kantoni," you may think of the Osaka oden "Kanto-daki," but in Fukuyama City, "Kantoni" is a skewered stew originating from "Inadaya," a restaurant that closed a few years ago.

At Kokura's "Kangun," yakitori skins are surprisingly cheap at just 60 yen each. Established in 1980, Kokura's "Kangun" is a popular restaurant known to all local drink lovers. It's family-run, with a homey atmosphere, delicious food, and conveniently located near the station, making it a great choice for travelers passing through Kokura Station.

Yaesu "Toryaki Miyagawa" Located in a corner of the Yaesu Exit of Tokyo's business district, this space feels like a time travel back to the Showa era. While tall buildings continue to pop up one after another, "Toryaki Miyagawa" has been in business for over 70 years. It's a long-established sake shop that's rarely seen in Marunouchi, on the other side of Tokyo Station.

Morioka's Kaku-uchi "The bar I had been planning to go to someday suddenly closed down, and I can't express how much I regret it." With so many famous bars closing down across the country recently, I'm sure you've all experienced this common bar experience. I've always wanted to go to Morioka's Heiko Sake Shop...

Omura City's "Torichiyo" Located in Omura City, just a stone's throw from Nagasaki Airport, floating like Pocari Sweat in Omura Bay, is Toriichiyo, a large bar established in 1977 near Omura Station. I called before opening time and was shocked to find they were fully booked... What?! Today was my only chance to stay in Omura, so I was in awe...

Nishi-Ogikubo South Exit Bar District: Nishi-Ogikubo Station on the Chuo Line is a bar district that spreads out from the moment you exit the station. The bar district is crammed into a small space, with izakayas like Yakitori Ebisu, Yoneda, and Chidori, as well as the tanmen noodle restaurant Hatsune, where customers often line up...

Niigata "Shinkotori" Chuo Ward, Niigata City. Located in a retro arcade, "Shinkotori" is a long-established bar that has been in business since the 1950s. After closing for a time, it reopened and remains an important gathering spot for locals. Enjoy reasonably priced local sake with specialty oden and yakitori...

Hoya "KIYOSHI" Public Diner A town that seems far from Shakujii Koen in Tokyo's Nerima Ward, where my home is located, but is in fact very close. I ran an errand near Hoya Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line, and then wandered around the town aimlessly. Aimless wandering is a hobby of mine. On the way, I came across a store that surprised me a little...