On the 4th night of the Obon holiday, with the COVID situation easing up, I was able to go out for drinks after a long time. I went to my usual spot "Yamasan" before heading to Sanroku, which I hadn't visited in 3 years and 8 months. I arrived at Yamasan at 19:50, handed over some rare fish and scallop delicacies as souvenirs, and sat at the counter in the back as usual. The place was about 80% full, quite busy. I ordered a beer first and enjoyed some octopus simmered in soy sauce as the appetizer. Yamasan always impresses me with their appetizers. The owner looked busy as always. After settling down a bit, I ordered some dishes: Cream cheese miso pickles for 500 yen, an assorted appetizer plate chosen by the owner, sashimi of tuna and sea bream, and grilled shinko fish with mountain wasabi. I stayed for about 2 hours before heading to Sanroku, where I met up with the owner later and continued drinking until 2:00. It was delicious! Thank you for the meal!

There are many sake labels on the wall, and you can enjoy a sake tasting set of three for only 1000 yen! The food menu has a variety of options, from Hokkaido specialties to unique dishes. The fried dish with almond salt was delicious, with a hint of sweetness and a rich almond flavor. I wish I could have eaten more!

On the night of Friday, July 14, 2023, four of us went to a restaurant. We started with a macaroni salad as a complimentary dish, which was colorful and appetizing. We also ordered a tomato and prosciutto salad for 660 yen, which was delicious. Then, we had zangi (deep-fried chicken) for an unknown price, which was served hot and crispy. We couldn't resist ordering the chef's choice set of 15 skewers for 1,500 yen, all of which were lightly breaded and incredibly tasty. We also enjoyed some small shrimp for 160 yen, quail eggs for 110 yen, squid for 120 yen, pickled ginger for 80 yen, baby corn for 120 yen, all sprinkled with almond salt. We decided to add 6-7 more skewers (I can't remember exactly what we ordered) and waited for about 20 minutes for them to arrive. Next, we tried the chicken noodles for 500 yen, which were very satisfying. We also ordered a rare delicacy platter for 800 yen, which took over 45 minutes to arrive but was worth the wait. The platter included pickled crab, marinated firefly squid, salted sea squirt, and pickled vegetables with wasabi. To accompany our meal, we had a Kalbi sour for 450 yen and two highballs for 500 yen each. In the end, the total bill came to 10,400 yen. It was a delightful dining experience.

Delicious skewers, top-notch quality! Discovered a fantastic salted tripe stew. The appetizer of octopus and pickled radish with sesame was also excellent, perfect for those who enjoy drinking. The pickled Chinese cabbage was seasoned perfectly with just a hint of shredded ginger. The combination of almond salt and skewers here is unbeatable, I'm hooked! The salted tripe stew may not be on the regular menu, but stumbling upon it was a delightful surprise. The clear broth with tender tripe and Chinese cabbage was superb, I hope they consider adding it to the regular menu. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

The appetizer was followed by today's main dish, the deep-fried skewers with almond salt, which did a great job. Time for the second cup of drinks! I enjoyed beef, pickled ginger, shrimp, pork, and baby corn skewers with a gulp of highball. The evening set included leaf-wrapped pickles (wasabi pickles) on the top right, which my partner handled since I don't like wasabi, and a crab miso pickled on the bottom right, which surprisingly I could enjoy. The bottom left showed a crab innards pickled dish, which is delicious when you suck out the insides without eating the shell. The top left featured a hotaruika (firefly squid) marinated dish, a classic choice. And finally, the highlight of the meal was the "Tachi-yaki," an exquisite sake pairing that was unmatched. It was a fantastic meal!

07/22/08 Attended a workplace reunion with my co-driver colleague. He is not only my close friend but also my superior. We have been drinking together for over thirty years, but we refrained from doing so for the past two years. It was tough when the head of the department and the deputy disappeared, work became difficult. However, today is special! Celebrating my third solo assignment, cheers to that (laughs). This place, highly praised by MyRebi, offers a variety of delicious dishes like their signature skewers and assorted appetizers. It had been a while, so I couldn't help but keep ordering more drinks. As a result, the bill ended up being over 5000 yen per person. Well, I guess I brought it upon myself (^_^;) They also have a wide selection of Japanese sake. If I have the chance to come by casually again, I will definitely visit this place.

I had been curious about this place for a while. The atmosphere is great, with a bright and wood-themed interior all on one floor. It was bustling with people of all ages and genders. The wife wasn't very efficient, and the husband initially gave off a scary impression with his piercings, but they both provided friendly service with warm smiles, showing their kindness, which was comforting. The dishes were all delicious, allowing you to savor the flavors of the ingredients, and they paired well with the drinks. The portion sizes were just right for one person. The variety of sake available was impressive and delightful. Overall, it was a place where you could enjoy your drinks, savor delicious food, and feel comfortable walking in alone. The cost-performance ratio was also appealing.

The place is a small shop called 5.7 Koji in Asahikawa. The interior is decorated with labels of various alcohols covering the walls, showcasing their extensive selection. On this day, I decided to stick with beer since I had another place to go afterwards. I ordered the chef's choice of 10 assorted skewers at Yama-san. Each skewer had a label attached, which was a nice touch. I recommend trying them with almond salt, as the almonds add a nice touch. The pork and leek dumplings were unexpectedly soupy and delicious, perfect for warming up on a cold day. My personal favorite was the grilled rice ball with scallops and green onions, which was incredibly tasty. The friendly service at the shop was also a plus. I definitely want to come back again.

I visited this restaurant before the third wave hit. It had been a while since I visited Asahikawa! On my last night in Asahikawa, I decided to wander over to 5-7 Koridoru, a place with a nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere. I was looking for a place where I could enjoy delicious Japanese sake, and this place did not disappoint. I tried various dishes, and each one was delicious. They had a local specialty called "Shinko-yaki," but I had already eaten a lot, so I decided to try their "Shinko-age" instead. It was bone-in meat that had been fried, but the flavor was a bit lacking. I thought I should have just ordered their regular Zangi instead. Although they didn't offer all-you-can-drink options, they had a great sake tasting set where you could choose three different types of sake to compare. Since I was in Asahikawa, I selected "Taisetsu no Kura," "Otoko Yama," and "Kokushi Musou," as well as some dry sake from the Tohoku region, known for its delicious sake. I was able to enjoy a variety of sake, and I left satisfied. I really like cozy izakayas like this one and would love to visit again if I have the chance.

On the next day of June 2020, even though I had to work, I decided to visit another restaurant called "Izakaya Yamasan" after enjoying my time at "5.7 Komichi Furariito". The restaurant had a counter with 5 seats, and the other customers kindly shifted to maintain social distance when I was seated. The background music playing was mellow tunes like "Futari de Osake wo" and "Mizuiro no Ame". I enjoyed chatting with the staff and other customers while savoring drinks and dishes. I tried a delicious Agnes Chan and a refreshing Tamakazeni shochu from Miyazaki prefecture. The shochu had a rich aroma and a vibrant taste without the typical starchy smell. It paired well with the dishes like fried green mackerel, juicy tsukune with tamari sauce, and crispy asparagus tempura. Overall, it was a pleasant experience.

At this time of year, I revisited a restaurant that is open and serving delicious food. I used a Hot Pepper coupon for a free drink, and chose a beer and a sake called "Otokoyama Namazake" which was a bit spicy. The appetizer of smoked octopus and firefly squid was flavorful. The chef's recommended appetizer set included salmon tempura with miso sauce, cream cheese marinated in miso with firefly squid, and salt-boiled edamame. The cream cheese miso dish was a favorite of mine. The sashimi of botan shrimp was fresh and sweet. I also enjoyed the grilled Shiretoko chicken with a light salty sauce. The selection of sake was a bit limited, but I tried a jasmine-flavored sweet potato shochu called "Utaika" on the rocks. It had a unique floral aroma followed by a sweet potato flavor. Overall, the food was delicious, and I had a good dining experience.

When I visited Asahikawa, I wanted to try the famous Shinsho-yaki (grilled salmon) and found out that the original shop, Ginneko, was closed. I asked two other places on the same street if they could make Shinsho-yaki for me, but they both declined. Finally, I asked at Yamasan and they kindly agreed. The restaurant had a wall full of Japanese sake labels, so I ordered a sake tasting set along with the Shinsho-yaki. The Shinsho-yaki was delicious, cooked over charcoal. (I can't compare it to the original, though...haha)

After a work-related dinner, I decided to stop by casually. It's almost 9:30 pm. The restaurant is located in a corner of the "5-7 Koji Furari" area, which is known for having a nice atmosphere. I always thought that the restaurants in Furari tend to empty out relatively early, but surprisingly, it's quite lively even at this hour. I ordered a "draft beer" (550 yen) first. The appetizer was a "potato salad." Looking at the recommended menu for the day, there are quite a few things I like! I ordered the "hatahata rice sushi" (540 yen) and the "pumpkin croquette" (380 yen). I really like hatahata rice sushi. The texture is good, the aroma of the koji is nice, and the acidity is just right, which is my preferred taste. As for the pumpkin croquette, I was surprised when it arrived! It's very big! I thought, "I can't just bite into this," and so I cut it in half with chopsticks and poured sauce over it. The pumpkin is fluffy, with very little binder, almost like they made a croquette out of mashed pumpkin. It's delicious! I felt like having some sake. I ordered the "sake tasting set" where you can choose 3 types of sake (1,000 yen). You can choose from any of the sake available at the restaurant. It seems like the cold sake is popular right now. I chose "Senkin Akatonbo," "Tokubetsu Junmai Kin Fukamari," and "Tetorikawa Yamahai Shikomi Junmai Sake." They were all delicious and perfect for drinking right now as they are cold sake. I wanted to have one more seasonal appetizer, so I ordered the "assorted grilled mushrooms in foil." It has a wonderful aroma. It's a foil-grilled dish with maitake mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, shimeji mushrooms, and eryngii mushrooms. I poured the butter soy sauce that came with it over the hot dish and enjoyed it. It's irresistible! Actually, I had made a reservation in June with three drinking buddies to visit this restaurant. At that time, I caught a cold and couldn't go, so they went without me. It seems that I naturally gravitate towards places that pique my interest!

I went for a solo drink at Sanroku, feeling a bit tipsy, and ended up at Yamasan after a long time. Well, it's been a while, although I can't remember the last time I went because it was full and I couldn't get in. I sat at the end of the counter and ordered a tasting set of three types of sake for only 1000 yen! And then, I ordered the chef's choice appetizer set for 1000 yen. The appetizer was dried daikon radish. Then, four small dishes of appetizers were served. This kind of thing is just perfect for people who enjoy bar hopping. The second dish was tsukune, which was quite substantial and went well with the sake. As I nibbled on the food and sipped the sake, I thought to myself how great it is to be Japanese (laughs). And then, the owner's wife greeted me, saying it's been a while and even remembered that I couldn't get in last time because it was full. I was really surprised and happy. This is what service is all about. I am truly impressed.

What number? I'm hopping around for night activities. I'm wandering around "Furari~to"♪ Making sure not to get thrown off Mt. Ubasute, I kept my steps steady even while tipsy (lol). My stomach is already full, but it seems like they have a variety of Japanese sake to enjoy? I'm not very knowledgeable about it, so I'll leave it up to them♪ The staff's service...? It was smooth and peaceful, leaving a good impression... I also remember the good management of the Japanese sake (・∀・) Oh... I found my phone while it's still alive...♪*ﾟThank you for the meal~♬

Last month, we had a girls' night out and went to a second bar where they had a wide selection of Japanese sake. They offered a tasting set of 3 different kinds of sake, and surprisingly, everyone enjoyed it! It turned out to be a gathering of heavy drinkers. I personally liked Daishinshu, Shirakawa, and Akabu in that order. The snacks were a surprise mix for 1200 yen, thanks to Ageha's power. From this point on, my memory starts to get a bit fuzzy! We had a great time and even though I was on a business trip, we ended up going to a third bar as well.

I want to drink sake, right? You can see right through me (*´艸｀) Well... I'm pretty obvious, so... I'll go ahead and ask for a tasting flight of 3 different sakes. Me too! Me too! I end up getting everyone involved (^^; From the menu, we each choose our selections, I picked [Sairaku Bizen Omachi Junmai Ginjo], [Kamonishiki Nofuda Sake Kishu Kinsen Junmai Daiginjo], and [Da Shinshu Betsugarai Junmai Ginjo Hiyahoroshi]. Maybe we can nibble on a few things? So I ordered a snack set for 1500 yen with a coupon (lol) including: - Hoya salted fish roe - Cold tofu with miso sauce - Pickled cabbage with mountain wasabi - Rice sushi - Sashimi - Octopus tempura We can all share and try different dishes, it's great, right? We order more drinks, chat, and have fun ♬ Should we go to another place? How about to Aniki's place... Shall we go? (lol)

Four women from the Asahikawa Women's Department are heading to the second party. They were invited by Ageha-san to a place where they can enjoy delicious sake. They chose a set of three different types of sake to compare. Each of them selected their favorite sake and raised a toast. The snacks were chosen by the owner, costing 1200 yen instead of 1500 yen. Thanks to Ageha-san, they enjoyed a tasting of three different sakes: Shiraraku from Fukushima, Kamonishiki from Niigata, and Daishinshu from Nagano. After finishing the sake, they ordered draft beer and enjoyed the delicious appetizers. The octopus tempura had a nice texture and went well with the beer. As they planned for the third party, one of them mentioned that they couldn't drink too much as it was the end of the month. With that, they left for the neon lights of the night.

In Asahikawa, we went bar hopping. The fifth place we visited had a sign with Asahi beer lanterns hanging outside. The two sake enthusiasts probably thought, "This is our fourth place!" but for me, it was the fifth spot. We sat at the counter, while there was a sunken seating area with three seats. I decided to order a tasting set of three different types of sake, which was delicious. The two sake enthusiasts were, of course, sticking to sake, and both of them were a bit clueless. In Asahikawa, there were clueless people as well. However, the level of cluelessness varied. Clueless person number one was very cheerful, while clueless person number two was, well, quiet. Not quiet, actually, he was sleeping. I learned that there are two types of clueless people: the calm one and the wild one. The appetizer was a light and tasty fish tempura with a dipping sauce that looked like a walrus's testicles. Oh, and there was this strange food that looked like a walrus's testicles. It turned out to be cream cheese marinated in miso for 420 yen. I, being a picky eater, did not try the walrus testicles. Clueless person number two was bobbing his head and dancing around... wait, was he sleeping? Clueless person number one ended up eating the cream cheese as a snack. How nice... This wild and calm clueless duo made the night out in Asahikawa quite enjoyable. Even though the group got smaller, let's do this again sometime.

The attention to detail for each menu item is amazing. It's like, they put this in here? It's fantastic.

The tempura was very good, with a nice crispy texture. The salted tripe stew was delicious. We finished with cold Inaniwa udon, which was very satisfying. It was a great dinner. Thank you for the meal.