I recently visited "Yatta ni aete Yokatta" located just a 4-minute walk from Tachikawa Station! ▼Order Details Strawberry Sour ¥759 Sanpin Tea ¥374 Hojicha ¥374 ×2 Appetizer (Portobello Mushroom Chawanmushi) ¥500/person Gorgonzola Cheese Ham Katsu with Aoyuzu Miso ¥649 Clay Pot Rice with Salmon and Ikura (Salmon Roe) ¥2,728 Gout!? Seafood Potato Salad ¥869 Chicken Nanban ¥869 Beef Sukiyaki-style Yakisoba with Raw Egg ¥1,320 ▼Review This is a neo-Japanese izakaya in Tachikawa that prides itself on rice and miso. The atmosphere is filled with a nostalgic Showa-era vibe, with music from the past playing and cute retro designs on the glasses! On this day, I ordered several dishes based on my prior research and everything was truly delicious, so I think you can't go wrong with any choice! My personal favorite was the clay pot rice with salmon and ikura. The glossy, freshly cooked rice combined with fluffy salmon and the popping texture of fresh ikura made it incredibly delicious. Haha! Since the clay pot rice takes some time to prepare, I recommend including it in your first order. Because I visited a bit later in the evening, a few of the menu items I was interested in were sold out, so I definitely want to come back for a rematch sometime! Thank you for the wonderful meal! —————————————————— Thank you for reading to the end. I hope this review is helpful to everyone!

I visited on a weekday, arriving about 15 minutes before opening. Even though there were no customers ahead of me, there were around five people waiting when the restaurant opened. By the time I left, the restaurant was about 80% full, so depending on the timing, you might have to wait. The exterior was quite surprising—seeing it in a nondescript building basement made me question, "Is this really the place?" Honestly, with such a hard-to-approach façade, it's impressive that it has gained such popularity (not to be rude). The interior was a stark contrast; it's self-proclaimed as "neo-Japanese cuisine," and it was stylishly done. The background music featured songs by Kyoko Koizumi, which made me wonder if younger patrons are familiar with her work—just a thought! The ordering method was via QR code, and they accept various cashless payment options. I ordered the “Melting Smile Miso Pork Kakuni Don” for ¥1,780. On weekdays, you can enjoy unlimited rice and miso soup. The atmosphere was lively and the service was great during my visit. As for the taste, it was overall very delicious. I really wanted to experience the look of the miso kakuni, and it certainly made an impact. The flavor of the pork belly, enhanced by the mellow miso seasoning, had a bit of firmness, but it was not an issue at all. It provided a satisfying experience beyond just its appearance. I enjoyed it along with the boiled egg that was included. The sauce was well distributed over the rice, making it a delight to dig into in a satisfying, albeit casual manner. The rice itself was cooked perfectly to my liking. The miso soup, enriched with shredded kelp, was also delicious, as the umami from the kelp blended well with the soup. The salad made with mizuna and seaweed was good as well. By the way, the portion was quite substantial by default, so I didn’t feel the need to get refills. In terms of cost-performance, it’s not the cheapest option, but the satisfaction I experienced justified the price. Altogether, I understand why this place is popular. Especially the kakuni don, which is visually appealing, so if you’re intrigued, I highly recommend checking it out!

I checked out Tabelog and got the impression that the place has a lot of creative dishes, and I wanted to try their fruit sours. I had assumed it would be a bit dark inside, but it was actually quite bright with plenty of lighting. The potato salad topped with a huge amount of cod roe was delicious. The grilled rice balls weren’t as good as I expected. The oysters felt overpriced. Overall, the atmosphere was nice. There are many menu options, so feel free to use this as a reference when ordering.

I stopped in Tachikawa to try the extra meat option for the "nikumabushi" (meat over rice) dish. The restaurant "Anata ni Aete Yokatta" is located about a 3-minute walk from Tachikawa Station, and I was excited to visit because I love fun and interesting experiences. The restaurant has a spacious interior with a loft-like second floor, cute seating areas, a counter, and even a tatami room in the back. I quickly ordered the following with my friend: the Hiroshima Koshihikari rice "nikumabushi" set for ¥1980, extra meat for ¥1000, and some miso soup and corn silk tea. The tea was served in a humorous cup, which made us laugh, and even Wada Akiko's face appeared on it! The nikumabushi was very filling, but the meat was so tender and juicy that I finished it in no time! Even though it’s an izakaya (Japanese pub), the quality of the nikumabushi was really high. It comes with broth, which you can use to make a refreshing chazuke (rice with broth) that was delicious. I definitely want to come back next time I'm in Tachikawa! Thank you for the meal! 😊

Just a short walk from Tachikawa Station is a restaurant called "I'm Glad to Have Met You." The name of the restaurant has a strong impact, making you curious about what kind of place it is, so I decided to go there for lunch! It’s an izakaya, but they also serve lunch, which is great. The atmosphere of the restaurant has a retro Showa era vibe. Ordering is done via a QR code. On this day, I had the following: - Hiroshima Prefecture Koshihikari Gohōgyoku Meat Rice Bowl - Double Meat for the Gohōgyoku - Miso Soup - Corn Silk Tea - Sanpin Tea First of all, the drink… I noticed a drawing on the glass that looked familiar. The Gohōgyoku Rice Bowl comes with broth, allowing you to enjoy it as a dashi-chazuke (broth poured over rice). The egg yolk was also beautifully colored, and when mixed with the dish, it tasted delicious!

It was very delicious, and the staff's service was very polite. I felt like I would want to visit again. I forgot to take a photo, but the rice cooked in a pot was tasty. If I had to mention something I was dissatisfied with, it would be that the seats were a bit cramped. However, it wasn't uncomfortable, and I think having to sit close together for conversation can be a nice experience sometimes.

In late November 2024, three acquaintances of mine decided to have a daytime drinking party after hiking Mount Takao. We often make a stop around Tachikawa Station to enjoy some drinks during the day. While most places allow you to drink alcohol during lunch, it can be hard to find a place that feels more like a bar during the day. Fortunately, the Tachikawa area has a good number of dining options, so it's quite helpful. This time, I was drawn to a specific restaurant based on its name. I frequently pass by the street where this restaurant is located, but since it's underground in a building, I had never noticed it before. Upon descending the stairs to the basement, I saw a line of young people waiting. It seems to be a popular spot! Perhaps the lunch menu is particularly appealing to them. I discovered this place through a search on Tabelog, and initially, I wondered what type of restaurant it could be just from the name. To my delight, I found that I could meet some of the Showa idols I used to hum along to during my youth (though they are somewhat limited). I made a reservation for the all-you-can-drink course for 5,000 yen. However, it seems that the all-you-can-drink option isn't always available. The glass for our toast even had an illustration of Seiko Matsuda on it! To top it off, the music playing in the restaurant included songs by Matsuda, followed by tracks from Pink Lady... It was, in a way, a very enjoyable experience for someone from my generation. On the culinary side, the food was delicious, and each dish had a homemade quality that I appreciated. Personally, I really enjoyed the "meat miso stuffed peppers," which paired perfectly with the beer. Another highlight was the "donabe rice with camembert cheese hamburger," which was tasty on its own, but mixing it all together created an absolutely exquisite dish. The seating arrangements were quite intriguing as well, with some unique seats to the right and deeper inside the counter area. I'm eager to try out those seating options on my next visit. Even for those who aren't interested in Showa idols, the food alone makes this place worth a visit!

We went for lunch and ordered the rice ball lunch and the braised pork lunch for two. The side dishes were just the right amount, and both meals were hearty and definitely worth the price! The ambiance of the restaurant was nice, and I thought it would be great to try it out for dinner as well! By the time we left, there was a long line forming outside, so a reservation seems to be a must.

You wouldn't expect this atmosphere in a building…! Enjoying a new yet nostalgic neo-Japanese dining experience in a traditional Japanese space✨ The BGM features showa-era pop songs like Pink Lady! The glasses also had cute illustrations of showa stars♡ As I descended the stairs to this underground restaurant, I was met with a waiting line even during a mid-afternoon, inconvenient time!! Inside, there were rice bales and stacked masu (wooden measuring cups), creating a stylish Japanese design. The loft seating area with tatami mats was particularly recommended for a semi-private experience. In this relaxing Japanese setting, I enjoyed carefully crafted dishes made with high-quality rice and miso, alongside a variety of drinks! There were many tea-based beverages that paired well with the Japanese food. ~What I ate~ ▶︎ Donabe Rice - Jugo Grain Kamaman (1,859 yen) My top recommendation of the day!! Instead of the usual Khao Man Gai, this is a Kamaman! The rice, cooked in a clay pot, has an ethnic seasoning. You can savor the texture of the quince-grain rice along with plenty of vegetables and chicken! A squeeze of lemon adds a refreshing touch!! It's not spicy, making it perfect even for those who don't like heat. ▶︎ Goma Buri (759 yen) This is limited in quantity, and I highly recommend ordering it if available. The rich flavor of the fatty buri (yellowtail) pairs perfectly with the fragrant sesame sauce, making it irresistible. ▶︎ Butter Soy Sauce Grilled Squid Tentacles (869 yen) They bring a hot plate right to your table, allowing you to enjoy the wonderful aroma of butter and soy sauce while you eat❤️ You can cut it into your desired size! So delicious that you'll want to pair it with alcohol! ▶︎ Rare Steamed Oysters with Ponzu (2 pcs) (1,518 yen) You can enjoy the half-rare texture✨ Served with lots of condiments, it’s incredibly refreshing! The momiji oroshi (grated spicy daikon) adds a slight kick. ▶︎ Shizuoka Prefecture’s Koyanitsu Matcha Bavarois (803 yen) This wobbly, creamy matcha-flavored bavarois is certainly Instagram-worthy! The whipped cream and red bean paste are lightly sweet, not overly rich✨ It even comes with chewy shiratama (rice dumplings), which is a delightful bonus☺️ ▶︎ Baked Sweet Potato Brûlée (803 yen) Enjoy the fluffy sweet potato topped with rich custard, caramelized with a torch♡ You get to finish it off by adding the ice cream on your own. It’s so delicious that I even ate the skin! ▶︎ Green Tea Lemon Mojito (649 yen) A Japanese-style non-alcoholic mojito with matcha and lemon! The bitterness of the matcha, the refreshing acidity of lemon, and the mint's accent create a unique drink! There was a wide variety of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available♡ This is a place I want to make a regular stop! They also have many good lunch menus, making it recommendable for both lunch and dinner❤️

I went just before 9 PM, but unfortunately, the popular hamburger and braised pork were sold out. However, I was really happy to enjoy many delicious dishes like grilled rice balls and ham katsu. The atmosphere was also very calm and pleasant. I might want to try going for lunch next time!

I visited for the renowned braised pork, but my initial hopes were dashed when I found the place to be just average, despite being fully booked. I couldn’t help but wonder why it’s so popular. The porcini chawanmushi was quite salty. The braised pork was sizeable, but since I was drinking, I barely touched my rice. I wished I could have enjoyed it as a standalone dish. Overall, I don’t think I’ll be returning.

I feel like there has been an increase in restaurants focusing on rice lately. I truly believe that rice is the ultimate food. If you have delicious rice, any side dish goes well with it. However, as a izakaya, it’s a bit weird because I’m not coming here just to eat rice. Also, I ended up drinking too much.

I finally went to a place I've wanted to visit for a long time. The cups were so cute that it really boosted my mood! Both the drinks and the food were delicious. Since it was crowded, the service for the food and the all-you-can-drink option felt a bit slow when it came to serving the drinks.

I had a meat hitsumabushi for lunch, and it was surprisingly delicious. The juicy meat and the savory sauce paired perfectly, really whetting my appetite. I loved that I could enjoy it in three different ways, which is unique to hitsumabushi. The restaurant had a calm atmosphere, and the staff provided attentive service. It was a perfect dish for lunchtime, and I will definitely visit again.

Located just a four-minute walk from the North Exit of JR Tachikawa Station, this restaurant features nostalgic music as soon as you step inside. With table seating and a counter, it is a great spot for couples or groups. The ordering is done through a self-order system using QR codes. Being in the basement, it also offers Wi-Fi, which is a nice touch. They have lunch menus available on weekends as well, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. There are ten different lunch options, all sounding delicious, but the popular “300g Melt-in-Your-Mouth Miso Pork Belly Bowl” is limited in quantity. When I visited on Saturday at 2 PM, it was already sold out; such a shame! Instead, I ordered the “Hiroshima Prefecture Koshihikari Koshihikatsu Meat Over Rice.” You can double the meat for the meat over rice option. The meat is thickly layered, hiding the rice beneath. A raw egg is placed in the center, which you mix with the meat for a rich flavor. The rice is infused with flavor and has a nice chewy texture. I enjoyed about a third of it as a sort of rice porridge, which felt like an indulgence with the delectable meat. A salad with Korean seaweed and mizuna was included, providing a refreshing taste with just the right amount of seasoning from the seaweed. The drinks looked great too! I ordered sanpin tea, which came in an adorable glass, and the packaging for the napkins was cute as well. Alongside soft drinks, the lunch drink options included Premium Malt's beer, highballs, and sparkling wines. I also added two pieces of carefully selected fresh oysters, squeezed with lemon; they were plump, rich, and sweet! For dessert, I enjoyed “100% Hokkaido Azuki Anko Shiratama Cream Zenzai.” It had ice cream topped with whipped cream, with many shiratama (mochi dumplings) inside. Usually, there are only 2 or 3 shiratama, but this had plenty, remaining soft and chewy. It was sheer bliss! The combination of ice cream, azuki beans, and shiratama was heartwarming. Not only was the food menu impressive, but the dessert level was also high—I'd consider going just for dessert. I can't wait to return! Thank you for the meal! ❤️

After a long time, I took the Chuo Line for a train trip and had a casual lunch in Tachikawa. I finally got to visit a restaurant that had caught my attention on Instagram! It’s about a 4-minute walk from the north exit of JR Tachikawa Station, located in the basement of a building. Though it’s an izakaya, it opens from 11 AM, and I was drawn to the lunch menu I had seen on Instagram, which is why I came to check it out! As I started descending the stairs, I immediately felt a hidden, cozy atmosphere. When I caught sight of the restaurant entrance in the dim light, I was charmed by the illuminated sign adding to the stylish vibe. Inside, the warm wood tones create a stylish setting, while the indigo tiles in the kitchen add a retro touch, making it a perfect "neo izakaya" interior that was wonderful to experience. Since I had made a reservation, I was smoothly guided to my table. We were seated at a spacious tatami mat table towards the back of the restaurant. The restaurant’s name, “I’m glad to have met you,” sounded familiar, and I realized why when my ordered drink arrived—there was an illustration on the glass that resembled Akko-san! Could it be a lyric from one of her songs? (I can’t confirm this, though!) This time, I ordered the "Hiroshima Prefecture Koshihikari Echihougyoku Meat Rice Bowl" and a solo order of fried chicken. As soon as I lifted the lid of the meat rice bowl, I was greeted by a delightful sight of lavishly arranged meat and an egg yolk, which was incredibly appetizing. The sweet sauce, creamy egg yolk, and perfectly cooked rice made for a fantastic combination, and it was very satisfying to eat. The meat rice bowl came with a separate plate of broth and condiments, allowing me to prepare it like a rice porridge, which added to the flavor. The balance of the sauce and the broth made it delicious even as a porridge! I enjoyed every bite until the very end.

Recommended Japanese izakaya in Tachikawa. The seafood dishes are made with high-quality fresh ingredients and are exquisite. The interior, including the second-floor seating, shows a concern for detail. I highly encourage you to visit. ▼ Ordered dishes ▼ - Sesame Tuna Sashimi: 759 yen - Sea Bream Yukhoe: 759 yen - Grilled Silver Flounder with Saikyo Miso: 979 yen - Grilled Squid Tentacle with Butter Soy Sauce: 869 yen - Clay Pot Rice with Sake and Salmon Roe ▼ Restaurant Information ▼ Name: I'm Glad to Have Met You Address: 2-3 Akebono-cho, Tachikawa City, Tokyo Nearest Station: Tachikawa Station Budget: Dinner 5,000-5,999 yen, Lunch 1,000-1,999 yen Phone Number: 050-5600-9936

I went for lunch on Saturday with my 5-year-old son. We ordered the grilled fish with saikyo miso set meal and shared it, and my son was very satisfied with the saikyo miso fish as well. We arrived around 12:45 PM, but due to its location near the station, there was a line. I think it's a popular restaurant.

It's a unique-named restaurant located right under the building near Tachikawa Station! It's better to make a reservation for lunch on weekends! I ordered the 1480 yen fresh fish with sesame sauce set meal. The sashimi of yellowtail and sea bream was tender, and when paired with sesame, it had a gentle and delicious flavor that made me want to eat more rice! At the end, they even provide hot water to enjoy as ochazuke (rice in tea) if you like! The set also includes miso soup, pickles, salad, and tofu, making it quite luxurious, but even for a small eater like me, the portion was manageable. The person I went with ordered the limited quantity miso braised pork bowl! The braised pork was 300 grams, which was so large that it couldn't even fit in a big bowl without bending! It was tender and delicious, though the flavor was on the lighter side. Both of these dishes were tasty and I highly recommend them; however, there were also other appealing options on the lunch menu like a large rice ball set that looks great in photos, grilled fish that seems healthy, and sundubu (soft tofu) set meals. Although the variety on the menu isn't extensive, everything looked attractive. The seating is in a sunken kotatsu style, allowing for a relaxed atmosphere, but be careful if you sit in the back as the space between the kotatsu can be quite narrow, making it easy to stumble if you're not careful. If you reserve in advance, you may also be able to enjoy a stylish table with a lantern!

The restaurant is located just a short walk from the north exit of JR Tachikawa Station, and it has a wonderfully nostalgic atmosphere with a straightforward name that really captures the essence of the Showa era. I visited during lunch hours, and although it primarily operates as an izakaya, they also offer a lunch menu. I ordered the "Melting Smile Miso Braised Pork Rice Bowl," which came with pickles, miso soup, a salad with watercress, and a side dish. The braised pork was served sizzling hot on top of the rice, and it was quite filling. The sweet and savory miso flavor was delightful, and the texture of the pork belly was incredible. There was hardly any unpleasant smell, and the melting fat was delicious, making it very satisfying to eat. The half-boiled egg was perfectly cooked and looked great too! Overall, I found the quality to be very high. The atmosphere of the restaurant was traditional Japanese, and the music playing was nostalgic tunes from the heyday of Showa music, which I personally loved. The staff were efficient and attentive, making for a pleasant experience. I would definitely like to visit again if I get the chance. Thank you very much!

Near the station, we were able to enjoy lunch on the weekend, and since it’s a popular restaurant, we made a reservation. From the lunch menu, I ordered the Chicken Nanban set for 1,380 yen. My friends ordered the rice ball set and the sesame sauce sashimi set. It was crowded, but our food was served relatively quickly. The miso soup had tororo konbu, and there were small side dishes of cold tofu, pickles, and white rice. The Chicken Nanban was quite filling, and the homemade tartar sauce was made with finely chopped fresh vegetables. My friend's rice ball set featured three different rice balls, each one quite large, making it a satisfying portion. The two pieces of fried chicken on the side were crispy and made a delightful crunching sound. We could choose our seating when we made the reservation, and opting for the sunken table seat was definitely the right choice. Although the space isn't large, there are also elevated seats accessed by stairs, making it a calming environment. Thank you for the meal!