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Gotanda's "Sakata-ya" has the character "sake" in its name. Just the name itself is enough to catch your eye. Located near the popular Gotanda bar "Kanemasa," the exterior of this establishment draws you in with its cool noren curtain and neon sign. The sake spilling out from the gaps in the sliding doors...

Located along the Keiyo Road, the local Chinese restaurant "Ranzan," with its red sign, is a reliable spot for the locals. It's open from noon until 3 a.m.! And yet, it offers a bowl of ramen for just 450 yen, a very reasonable price, and a wide selection of ramen. The spacious interior creates a relaxed atmosphere. This...

Akaoni in Sangenjaya is a must-visit when talking about sake in Tokyo. This renowned establishment has been promoting the appeal of unpasteurized sake since before the ginjo sake boom. Drink lovers flock here every night to enjoy over 100 varieties of premium sake, including the hard-to-find Juyondai, and seasonal snacks. Reservations are required for this popular establishment, but...

The Minami-Ikebukuro area is undergoing dramatic change as a tower apartment building integrated with Toshima Ward Office rises. At its base, a single alley off Azuma-dori Street leads to a quiet place that seems to have been left behind by the wave of development. This time, we'll be introducing a family-run business founded in 1959 (Showa 34).

At the east exit of Nippori Station, just beneath the modern high-rise apartment buildings that have been built as a result of redevelopment in front of the station, there is a restaurant that has remained unchanged since the Showa era. It has been in business for over half a century. It is located on the first floor of a new building, but once you step through the noren curtain, you are greeted with a Showa-era atmosphere. "Daisangen" is open from lunchtime to late-night...

Did you know that there is a magnificent gassho-style building in front of Sakuragicho Station in Yokohama? It's called "Ichinokura," an izakaya named after Miyagi's famous sake, Ichinokura, and has been in business for 40 years. The restaurant is spacious and offers a variety of seating options, from a relaxed counter for solo drinking to table seating and a large hall. Currently, the restaurant focuses on serving rare local sake...

Tachibana, Sumida Ward, is a neighborhood with a strong downtown atmosphere. A swaying ride on the Tobu Kameido Line took me to Yabusoba Tachibana, a renowned restaurant that impresses not only soba lovers but meat lovers alike. Stepping through the venerable shop curtain, I was greeted by an extraordinary "extra-thick katsudon" (pork cutlet bowl). It's one of the largest in the downtown area I know. A great afternoon beer...

Asakusa is not just a tourist destination. The restaurants that have long been popular with locals are all of high quality. We would like to introduce you to Nitenmon Yabu, located right in front of Nitenmon Gate, an important cultural property. Established in 1954 (Showa 29), this long-established restaurant has been in business for three generations and is open all day, making it a great place for a late lunch or...

Nihonbashi, in the heart of Tokyo. Just a short walk away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets, along the Nihonbashi River, lies a renowned soba restaurant serving local Fukui cuisine. Oshozuan Kiyoe is a renowned restaurant serving authentic Echizen oroshi soba, a rare find even in Tokyo. The owner, who opened the restaurant in his 50s...

There are alcohol cultures that are popular in localized areas. One example is "Milk Wari," a drink that can only be experienced in the Itabashi area of Tokyo. I once visited several establishments that serve milk wari for a magazine article, and among them, there was one that I fell in love with, regardless of its milk wari. The laughter of the local regulars...

Located on Tanuki Street in Asakusa, Tsune Sushi is a long-established restaurant with roots in a food stall that operated near Kaminarimon Gate around 1936. Beneath a luxurious, ship-shaped ceiling made from a single plank of cedar, the third-generation owner prepares authentic Edomae sushi, with prices starting at just 1,500 yen per person. It's not intimidating at all.

Just two stops on the Kintetsu line from Nagoya Station, near the station with the auspicious name "Kogane" (gold) lies a long-established bar that has been in business for over 70 years. Located in a charming spot next to the train tracks, Koganeya is a must-visit for bar lovers, welcoming you with its huge U-shaped counter and brown Nagoya specialties...

Momiji is a long-established bar known for its deluxe ingredients, such as pufferfish and soft-shelled turtle, at incredibly low prices. It's been nearly 50 years since its founding. Behind the torn red lantern, you'll find the owner's warm personality and vibrant, delicious cuisine. It's a sepia-toned bar with a strong character, but...

Located north of Asakusa, Nihonzutsumi is a historic doya district known as "Sanya." This former working-class area has now transformed into a uniquely lively area where backpackers and international travelers gather. Ichihachi Sushi has been in business here since 1962 (Showa 37). A popular tourist spot...

Asakusa is bustling with tourists, but step into an alley and you'll find a quiet, historic restaurant beloved by gourmets. Founded in 1902, Sankaku is a pioneer of fugu cuisine in Tokyo. Fugu, often considered a luxury dish, can be enjoyed at an affordable price, making it the perfect spot for a midday drink.