Today, I had a middle school class reunion, but since we're all older now, people from the neighboring class also joined in. The reservation was at 7 pm, so I thought of having a follow-up gathering and asked Tomo to join. He happily agreed. We met at 5 pm and went to a Japanese izakaya called "Nihon." The owner greeted us warmly and we felt relaxed. We had beer and cheers! The owner was quiet and kind. The appetizers were potato salad and simmered daikon, both deliciously prepared. We ordered the mackerel to finish, which was homemade and tasty. The hot and fluffy egg omelette was also a hit. The chicken karaage was bite-sized and crispy. We spent two hours there, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and watching the news about a hydrogen explosion. It was a nice and relaxed place. Tomo left to explore the area behind Sumikawa Station, while I headed to the class reunion. It was a great timing to meet my classmates right after leaving the restaurant. It was a good izakaya experience!

Welcome! ┌¬o"＊ ＊ ＊ 2016.01 ↓ Get off at "Sumikawa" station on the Chitose Line (like Subarusan) and enter the building towards Max Valu. There's a bar that has been running for 13 years in the basement (I heard). The automatic door opens with a warm welcome around 5 pm. The interior is well-prepared and calm. I sat at the counter with a kind owner. Unfortunately, there were no sushi pieces in the case, only oranges and bills. It's a bit hard to find the entrance to the underground store, so I'm glad the owner was friendly. The news was playing in the background as I looked at the menu and the prices on the blackboard. The drinks were reasonably priced. The first dishes that came were a potato salad with a sweet taste and a simmered dish that was warm, soft, and slightly sweet. It was so soothing. I found out that the homemade mackerel was excellent. The way it was cut and its size were amazing. Even just one bite filled my mouth with the sweetness and freshness of the mackerel. It would probably cost around 800 yen in the neighboring izakaya. It's like eating saury with a touch of soy sauce, which adds a nice spicy accent. The owner made a hot rolled omelet in a frying pan, which was comforting. It was fluffy and had a good texture with a perfect balance of sweetness from sugar and green onions. The zangi was easy to eat, with many bite-sized pieces that were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. It was perfect for snacking. They also had a subtle selection of liqueurs, which was a nice touch. They are open for lunch as well, and during the day, it's busier with customers from the surrounding karaoke bars. It's a hidden gem with reasonable prices and great value for money. I'm satisfied and grateful for the experience. Thank you for the meal.

I was intrigued by the sense of writing "Japan" and reading it as "Yamato," so I wandered to Sumikawa for a second place to eat. It was on the basement floor, with a neat entrance that made a rattling sound. There were no other customers. There was only one older man at the counter. I sat at a table and ordered a drink. While waiting, I heard the sound of glass breaking in the back. My drink arrived along with some appetizers - macaroni salad and simmered tuna. The macaroni salad was delicious with a rich flavor. The simmered tuna was also tasty with its seasoning and richness. Although I thought about ordering something else, the man didn't say anything. He kept glancing over at me. The atmosphere and space felt awkward. The TV was playing "Sukatto Japan," which felt empty. It would have been nice if he had asked, "Have you decided what to eat?" or "What would you like?" Instead, he just sat at the counter watching TV. I thought to myself, "Well, there's no business sense here anyway." When the appetizers were finished, I asked for the bill. It was 1000 yen for just sitting there without ordering anything. It was the first time I went to a restaurant and left after only having appetizers. In a way, it was a memorable experience.