Simmering Mist

Machiya, a town for workers, has long been dotted with "drinkable" eateries for night shift workers that are open from morning, and is dotted with deep private establishments that grab the hearts of bar lovers like a change-up. Masuda" in Machiya Walking north from Machiya Station...

Real Yokocho" that cannot be created now In recent years, a number of new drinking establishments, called "neo-yokocho," which are modeled after old-fashioned side streets, have sprung up all over Japan. The retro atmosphere and the style in which various stores are gathered together attract many people, but modern fire laws and other modern...

Ichikawa "Bakachin Matsugoro" is a town I visit occasionally on business. I have never had a problem finding a place to drink at Kagahiro, Asahiya, and recently at New Belk, but this time I came here as a newcomer. Founded in 2000. For the first 6 years, Ichikawa...

Higashimatsuyama, the city of yakitori. I'm not sure who decided this, but Higashimatsuyama City in Saitama Prefecture is considered one of Japan's top three yakitori places. The distinctive feature of Higashimatsuyama yakitori is that it's made by smearing spicy miso on pork cheeks. Some restaurants even ask you to take action and say, "That's enough!"

Fukube's 86th Anniversary Fukube, a long-established restaurant in Yaesu, was founded in 1929 (Showa 14). On March 4th, the restaurant celebrated its 86th anniversary. We made a reservation and headed there for the opening day. Our goal was to try the "Mystical Stew of Motsu," a dish that has only been available on anniversary days since the 75th anniversary...

Kumamoto's "Shokusui Kotomi" I heard about a recommended restaurant from a liquor store in Kumamoto's busiest shopping district, Shimodori, so I headed over to Kotomi, located in the basement of the Shimodori Center Building, a mixed-use building on Sumomachi Street. As I walked down the stairs, I could hear the excitement building inside the restaurant...

It's night in Kumamoto. I didn't have a particular restaurant in mind for the night, so I spent 20 minutes scouting locations, relying on my own "harunabi" (smartphone navigation). I decided on this restaurant, with its entrance in a back alley and the aura of a prestigious establishment. Dairoku, founded in 1979, has been in business at its current location...

Once you come across a good restaurant, you tend to go to that restaurant all the time! Such is the case with Tawaraya in Akihabara. When I opened the door, I was told that the restaurant was full. I went to "Sakatsubo" which I had bookmarked for such occasions. Akiba...

It's a 20-minute walk from Shinozaki Station. In the summer, it's a sweaty journey, but in the winter, it's no problem. The journey itself is exciting, and there's a famous bar in Shinozaki that's worth the 20-minute walk. Once you arrive at Shimoshinozaki, you'll find izakayas, snack bars, and...

Nankotsu," a local stew of Kagoshima, is made by simmering pork cartilage until tender. It is a local delicacy that is also made at home. The cartilage is simmered and then coarsely simmered with brown sugar, soybean paste, and shochu (distilled spirit). ...

Isa City, the birthplace of imo-jochu (sweet potato shochu) The Miyanojo Line, which ran between Oguchi and Kawauchi, was closed in 1990, and Isa City is not easily accessible without a car. Sogi Falls, the Niagara of the Orient Isa City, which merged with Oguchi City and Hishikari Town in 2008, is known as the birthplace of imojochu (potato shochu)...

Kagoshima's Meizanbori When you think of downtown Kagoshima, Tenmonkan is the first place that comes to mind, but there is also an interesting streetscape in front of the city hall, just a 15-minute walk from Tenmonkan. Meizanbori is made up of several old-fashioned alleys...

Ome "Sekichu" The proprietress of Ginrei, which was the first restaurant we visited, told us that "Sekichu" might be older than Ginrei, so we came here. Founded in 1949, Sekichu is the same age as Ginrei. If you are a bar lover like me, you will be thrilled...

Ome "Ginrei" The area around Ome Station is dotted with stylish izakayas. On the way to "Ginrei," I was tempted by several attractive bars, but I stuck to my original plan and arrived at "Ginrei."

The availability of good authentic hoppy drinks in Tohoku is limited. The two I know of are Ajino Kushiten in Koriyama and Hoppy House Nonki in Noshiro, Akita Prefecture. Using their own delivery routes, these two are special places that are very particular about serving it in returnable bottles. ...

Shin-Maruko "Sanchan Shokudo" After taking care of some business in Yokohama in the morning, I was heading home on the Shonan-Shinjuku Line around 3pm. I was wondering if there was a place to have a quick lunch on the train when... "The next stop is Musashi-Kosugi" was announced... Ah! It's been a while since I've been to Sanchan...

A 10-minute walk from Chiba Station, Sakaemachi is a neighborhood for grown-ups, home to a plethora of bars and restaurants, including the 90-year-old Yokozuna "Hakkaku," the "Yoshiume" (which suddenly closed in October 2024), and "Hanazawa Mitomo," known for its fried chicken. Motsuyaki Hakkaku, a 90-year-old restaurant...

Koriyama's "Aji no Kushiten" started as a food stall under the first-generation owner's grandmother, and next year will mark 70 years since the second generation opened a restaurant. This long-established bar is now run by a married couple in the third generation. "Aji no Kushiten" before relocation. The interior before relocation. Road development, which has been planned for 50 years...

Kayabacho "Kyohachi" established in 1936. Established in 1936 at Reigashibashi Bridge on the Shinkawa River for about 50 years. Moved to a new location when the land was raised, and has been here for more than 30 years. KYOHACHI is a long-established bar in Kayabacho that will soon be in business for 90 years. KYOHACHI on Reiganbashi Bridge There are still many restaurants around here from the Meiji era...