Blog

Niigata's Okura Liquor Store. Located on Gakkomachi-dori in Niigata City, Okura Liquor Store is perhaps the only liquor store in Japan with an authentic bar attached. Have the bartender shake your drink for you, or sip on canned chuhai or local sake. This unique and comfortable corner bar is a must-visit.

Drinking Every Time Series This time, for the first time in a while, we're back with our "Drinking Every Time Series." We started with the ritualistic sushi at "Matakoiya" in Haneda, then went to the famous sushi restaurant "Osero" in Nakasu, and finally enjoyed the famous udon noodles at "Yataro," all of which were fantastic drinks. Tama-chan...

LIFULL HOME'S "Morinomiya" Station Stroll This corner features a stroll with Nao Suzuki from each station on the Osaka Loop Line. This is the 9th of 18 stations on the Loop Line. We will stroll around Morinomiya Station, where Osaka Castle Park spreads out before our eyes. Tourists...

Kiriya is a long-established bar in Fuchu. Originally operating in front of Fuchu-Honmachi Station for 48 years, it was a "classic pub" with on-site dining. In 2018, the bar was forced to relocate due to eviction, and has since reopened in a vacant 100-year-old guesthouse. Its stately appearance is just as impressive as its predecessor.

Niigata's "Furukawa Fresh Fish" Founded around 1945, "Furukawa Fresh Fish," a fresh fish shop in Niigata's Honmachi shopping district, is a popular daytime drinking spot known only to those in the know. Their popular "Light Drinks" set, which includes Sado-mae sashimi, a small side dish, and sake, is a very reasonable 1,500 yen, including blackthroat seaperch. All of the fish and prepared dishes on display are...

Gion-Shijo "Yuuki" When you hear the idea of "drinking ginjo sake with conger eel or moroko in Gion," you might worry about your wallet. But don't worry. "Yuuki," the restaurant we'll introduce today, is a casual izakaya where you can enjoy a drink without worry. It's directly managed by "Okamura Honke," the brewery behind Kinkame, located in Hikone. Read more...

There are nearly 50 Kagaya branch stores, mainly in Tokyo, including "Kagaya," "Kagahiro," and "New Kagaya." Even though they don't have the "Kaga" character in their names, some still have the Kagaya blood running through their veins, making them a staple in Tokyo's bar culture, such as "Kitahachi" in Nishi-Nippori, "Marufuku" in Nishi-Funabashi, and "Kaburaya," which closed last year.

Kobe "Sukata Sake Shop" is located in Nishi-Motomachi, Kobe, about a 7-minute walk from Kobe Station, and is a sake shop established in 1871. It is said to be the oldest existing corner bar in Kobe. It is a place where you can enjoy a drink from noon in an Ibushigin store. It is a space where you can feel wabi-sabi...

Kansai Food Culture Research: This is the second installment of a series exploring the relationship between Kansai restaurants and sake with Tokyo-born bar writer Suzuki Nao. We explore how Takara Shuzo's sake "Shochikubai" is loved at Sakabo Matsui, a popular standing bar in Kyobashi, Osaka's leading drinking district.

Kamiishakujii "Harukaen" 10 minutes by bus from Kichijoji Station. Harukaen is a yakiniku restaurant along the Ome Kaido Road that offers a wide variety of excellent dishes devised by a kind mother. The taste goes without saying, but it is also very comfortable. For those of us born in the Showa era, it is THE strong style! ...

Namamugi "Oban" Oban, a standing bar representing Namamugi, has relocated. Prices remain the same at the new location. This time, we'll introduce the new Oban. Fresh, generous portions of sashimi are surprisingly reasonably priced, starting at 350 yen. The homey atmosphere attracts local black-belt drinkers...

Kyoto's "Otowa" Located in the tourist-filled Shinkyogoku area, there is a Kansai sushi restaurant that has been in business for over 100 years. The restaurant's name is "Otowa." Its specialty dishes are sushi rolls, boxed sushi, and inari sushi. It's a casual restaurant, and even though it's in a tourist area, it's often frequented by locals. In winter, Otowa is visited by people from far away...

Higashijujo "Sakadaru" Located near Higashijujo Station, "Taishu Sake Brewery Sakadaru" is located on the second floor of a building and has been in business for over 30 years. The chef, who used to work at a market, sources fresh seafood from Toyosu, and the seafood is renowned for being both affordable and fresh. The service is excellent, and the appetizers alone are quite generous!