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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.

Hisago Sushi has been in business since 1950 in the heart of Shijo Kawaramachi, Kyoto. This long-established restaurant offers traditional Kyoto sushi, a style that is distinct from Edomae sushi, packed with sweet vinegared rice and ingenuity in preservation. Conveniently located next to Kawaramachi OPA, it's open all day and welcomes daytime drinkers. Enjoy the chef's hand-made sushi, paired with their specialty boxed sushi and mackerel sushi...

Have you heard of Shinbashi Otako, a prestigious Kanto oden restaurant in Shinbashi, Minato Ward, which has been in business since 1932? It's a branch of Otako, originally from Ginza, and one of Tokyo's leading oden restaurants. Their oden, simmered in a jet-black broth, looks rich, but has a surprisingly refined flavor. If you're a fan of izakayas, this is a must-visit...

Sanshuya in Iidabashi Founded in 1976, Sanshuya in Iidabashi is originally based in Kamata, with a branch in Kanda, which then branched out to the Iidabashi and Ginza branches. Now, there are branches in Ginza and Roppongi, as well as the recently opened Es...

Last year, I started a YouTube channel called "Parikodama," and together with Yuhi Komiyama of Hoff Dylan, we visited a local Chinese restaurant in Ryogoku. It left a strong impression. Located in a back alley just off the station, this long-established Chinese restaurant has been in business for about 60 years. The reason I love this restaurant isn't just because it's cheap and delicious...

If you have 30 minutes to spare while waiting for your train at Nagoya Station, why not head out to the Taiko-dori Exit and grab a quick drink? At Tachijin, a standing bar facing the main street in front of the station, you can enjoy some authentic kushikatsu in your spare time. It's not as crowded as the shops inside the station, making it a hidden gem for non-stop travelers.

Akashi is a city of octopus and sea bream. In an alleyway near the tourist-filled Uonotana Shopping Arcade, there's a place that draws in local Akashi drinkers and fishermen: "Tachinomi Dokoro Nombee." Enjoy a drink with confidence from lunchtime, accompanied by "maemon (local fish)" freshly caught in the daytime nets. This kind of place...

Shukuzu, a famous Ningyocho restaurant frequented by fish lovers, will be relocating in the winter of 2024. It has been reborn from its former standing bar style to a seated establishment. The restaurant still serves wild, domestically caught seafood selected by the owner, a native of Hokkaido, and its signature "sashimi order by the slice" is still going strong. In the new location...

A legendary yakiniku restaurant near Arakawa Ward Office that has been beloved for 42 years is back as the "second generation"! Yakiniku Morichan is legendary for its huge chunks of meat in its one-of-a-kind tteokguk soup. From back alleys to main streets, from smoky places to smokeless roasters. Even if you have to get off the Hibiya Line to come and eat...