Delicious! I had a fun day with my girlfriend.

I was taken there by an acquaintance living in Otaru City. All the dishes have a gentle flavor that is good for the body and they are all delicious. Otaru is known for its herring, but besides that, the Zangi (fried chicken) and mushroom warm salad were also delicious.

Whenever I go, the food is consistently delicious. Unfortunately, the Chicken Nanban, which was amazing, has been removed from the menu. When drinking sake, you can choose your favorite small cup (^.^) They also have a wide selection of local sake, so please visit at least once (^_^)

I was drawn in by the atmosphere and decided to stop by alone. The menu was extensive and the prices were reasonable, so I tried a variety of dishes, all of which were delicious! I would love to visit this place again if I ever return to Otaru.<My rating>: - Highly recommended - Would love to go back if nearby - Worth visiting once - No need to go

The taste, service, and cost performance were great~. I came across this place while searching online and decided to give it a try. I was very satisfied with the atmosphere of the restaurant, the staff's service, and the food! I wish they would open a branch in Sapporo. I will definitely come back.

It was delicious♪ But the portion of the dish was a bit small. The staff were very friendly♪ Thank you for the meal.

The restaurant is always crowded, but I was lucky to find a seat at the counter this time. There were two groups, a pair at the counter, and a solo customer before me. The counter seemed to be popular among locals, as they were chatting with the staff. However, the young staff members were quick to take orders. I enjoyed a cup of sake with some cream cheese, as recommended in reviews. The appetizers were enjoyable, but they overlapped with some of the side dishes, so it's best to check the appetizers before ordering. The sashimi was also delicious. This place offers a variety of tasty dishes, from classics to seasonal specials, making it a great choice for those looking for a high-quality izakaya that is not a chain. I look forward to my next visit and deciding what to order next.

I was happy to see that the shochu on the rocks had a generous amount of alcohol and wasn't skimping on the ice. It was a shame they didn't have bamboo shoots for tempura, but the udo was delicious. The restaurant was packed with customers, but the service was calm and made for a pleasant experience. I would definitely want to visit this place again.

3.26 Hokkaido Shinkansen opening commemoration! Not really, but in September 2015, during my visit to Hokkaido, I experienced my first night in Otaru! I didn't make a reservation at any restaurant. I had a list of options, but decided to go with the flow. The main choice, Kousushi, was unexpectedly closed, so after wandering around, I finally found a promising restaurant. Hyakunenbo was located in a dimly lit back alley, giving off a shady vibe, but when I peeked inside, it was lively (laughs). The restaurant had a counter, tables, and a raised seating area. It was mostly filled with regular customers, giving it a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Of course, I started with Otaru's local beer! I always prefer local specialties. I tried Otaru's fresh sea cucumber vinegar, vegetable salad, and pickled herring. The herring was fatty and melted in my mouth. The zangi was soft and juicy, with a hint of garlic soy sauce. I also had fresh Pacific saury sashimi and local octopus sashimi. The saury was fatty and the octopus was thickly sliced yet tender. The prices were reasonable. Enjoying local ingredients at a restaurant deeply rooted in the community is truly the happiest experience. And why is it called Hyakunenbo? Because the owner's name is Hyakunen-san! In the end, my first night in Otaru went smoothly without any hiccups.

On September 5, 2014, the owner of the restaurant informed me that they will be relocating. It has only been a year since the last relocation! Apparently, the current location is too spacious, making it difficult to provide adequate service and cook according to the owner's preferences, causing a lot of stress. The new location, called "Hyakunenbo," is smaller with around 20 seats, which seems perfect for the husband and wife team. This will be the third relocation, but they hope it will be the last. I visited the newly opened "Hyakunenbo" on August 28. It is located in a small alley between Shizuya Street and Miyako Street, close to the famous restaurant "Gatsuyashimazaki," which I have yet to visit since the daughter took over. It is conveniently located near the station and within walking distance from my home, making it even more accessible. The variety of dishes has decreased, but the quality seems to have improved. The signature cream cheese (miso-marinated) is still delicious, and now they offer a selection of daily obanzai dishes at the counter. The owner's eyes seem to shine brighter, or maybe it's just my imagination. The cozy atmosphere with counter seating, tables, and a raised tatami area makes it comfortable for solo diners. The herring miso simmered obanzai dish was rich and flavorful, showcasing the skill of a professional chef. The top five izakayas in Otaru may have shifted with the recent closure of "Irorian," but "Hyakunenbo" is definitely a strong contender. I hope the owner takes care of themselves and doesn't push too hard in the future.

2014.7 Delicious food shop "Hyakunenbo". When you mention this place, it's all about cream cheese with miso marinated in beer, sake, shochu - it goes well with anything! This versatile dish is amazing and can only be found here. Personally, I can't miss the tender octopus tempura. It's unbelievably soft and delicious! The octopus tempura here is the best! Of course, this is just my personal opinion. Hyakunenbo is full of delicious dishes, but they are apparently relocating. From Hanazono to Inaho... it's on a street behind Katsuraen. The move is set to happen from August 28th. It's a shame they couldn't become part of the Yanagawa Street shopping district, but they are now neighbors. I'll definitely visit this delicious place again! Before 2013.9, the shop was much smaller, but now it's quite spacious with many table seats and tatami rooms. You can comfortably dine with 4-5 people. However, since it's a popular place, there may be a wait during busy hours for the food to arrive. But it's worth it because the food is so delicious! I don't have a photo, but the tender octopus tempura is juicy and delicious! You probably won't find this dish easily elsewhere. The beef tendon stew is also incredibly tender. The flying fish tempura was big and tasty, even though I'm not usually a fan of flying fish. The grilled squid is large and the liver soy sauce (with a unique flavor) is a great accompaniment for those who enjoy it with alcohol. I prefer mine with mayonnaise and shichimi pepper. I forgot to try the cream cheese marinated in miso, but I'll definitely remember to order it next time after finishing my drink.

A shop near Hanazono Cross Street. It's located on a side street behind the bus stop. It used to be a restaurant called "Sugawara". They have daily recommendations and a variety of Japanese sake. It's a good place to take first-time visitors to Otaru. The portion size for each dish is not very large, so it's more about enjoying good snacks with drinks rather than filling up your stomach here. It's a great place to go if you've already eaten a little at a hotel event or social gathering and still want to try a local izakaya.

This marks the end of the day, the night in Otaru that I was guided to by the reviewer "Tonda Kimatta". Despite my flight being delayed and causing inconvenience, Tonda Kimatta kindly showed me the ramen shop and izakaya I wanted to visit. This restaurant was recommended by Tonda Kimatta, and I heard that many customers came after seeing the review on the site. It was a rainy evening, so the customers had already left, leaving only the owner couple, Tonda Kimatta, and me to enjoy a pleasant conversation while savoring the night in Otaru. We enjoyed delicious dishes at the izakaya, and I couldn't resist ordering the cream cheese miso pickles, which were intriguing with a hint of miso flavor throughout the cheese. When eaten with French bread, it felt like dining on a deck along the Seine River. Eating it with seaweed brought a taste of the Japanese sea breeze, making it a perfect accompaniment to drinks. As a connoisseur of fried chicken, I couldn't miss trying their "zangi", which was lightly seasoned and crispy due to the use of starch and eggs. The dashimaki tamago was meticulously cooked, offering a rich and juicy flavor in every bite. Additionally, the coffee shochu, with its amber color and hint of sweetness, provided a unique and enjoyable experience.

No matter how much the town changes and declines, going there still soothes the heart naturally. In my younger days, I used to stroll around the Otaru area, boldly strutting through the neon-lit night social scene known as Hanagin. Yes! I was really cheeky back then! (laughs) Otaru was once known as the "Wall Street of the North"! Since the opening of the Bank of Japan Otaru Branch in 1893, Otaru was the largest commercial city in Hokkaido. Its heyday was at the end of the Taisho era, with around 20 banks in Otaru compared to 10 in Sapporo and 16 in Hakodate. This data shows that Otaru was considered the largest commercial city in Hokkaido at that time. Even in the 1940s when I was a child, the remnants of that glory were still vivid, with department stores like Daikokuya, Marui, and Newgin, as well as cinemas and bowling alleys being quite popular. Otaru, which was once a bustling city, is now a tourist destination centered around the canal. The historical buildings and houses from the prosperous past now serve as tourist attractions, which is ironic. Even Hanagin, which benefited the most from the prosperity, now feels quite lonely. By 7 o'clock at night, the streets are sparse with people, shutters are down in some places, and the neon lights have turned into taxi stands. Nevertheless, when you actually visit, even after nearly 30 years, your heart still leaps. I used to frequent Arashiyama Street in Hanagin, a spot where the neon lights shone brightly under the elevated railway. There is a drinking alley called Arashiyama Shinchi, with more food and drink establishments than snack bars. This time, I would like to introduce a restaurant called "Hyakunenbo" located on Arashiyama Street. You can easily spot it along the road as you walk towards National Route 5 from the JR elevated railway underpass in Hanagin. The warm wooden atmosphere of the restaurant with about 10 counter seats and 2 tables in the back for about 10 people creates a comforting ambiance. I sat at the counter and looked at the menu. The dishes are categorized into specialties, grilled dishes, fried dishes, salads, hot dishes, meals, and recommendations, with a limited variety but each dish reflects high quality. The main focus is on shochu and sake, with a focus on selling by measure. This time, I decided to go all out with the Kokikori from Kunimare Kiki! Now, let me introduce the dishes. - Otoshi: bamboo shoots, butterbur sprouts simmered in broth, and simmered black cod. Lightly seasoned and a good start. Goes well with a glass of sake. Tuna Yukke-style: This one got me! It's really excellent! Finely sliced fresh tuna with just the right amount of fat, garnished like Yukke with sliced cucumber, green onions, and egg yolk! The appearance is just like the familiar Yukke! There is no strong meaty smell like beef, but instead, the concentrated umami of the fresh tuna! The texture is also good! Visually, the vivid red of the tuna's lean meat is striking! The sauce that accompanies it must be good! It's a sweet soy sauce-based sauce, not too heavy, with a subtly sweet taste that enhances the deliciousness of the tuna! When you come here, this is a must-try! Sashimi platter: Octopus, tuna, yellowtail, herring, striped shrimp, and scallops. Six varieties chosen by the restaurant.

I have been visiting this restaurant every week since then. The sashimi is delicious, the assorted platter is reasonably priced, the side dishes are tasty, and the soba is quite good... I enjoy visiting here very much. I am looking forward to the upcoming season for shako (mantis shrimp) and the winter season.

Two of us visited the restaurant. It was a Saturday night and quite crowded, so making a reservation was a good decision. The atmosphere was like a slightly upscale izakaya, making it feel casual and easy to use. The food was delicious and the drinks were good. The menu included typical izakaya dishes as well as original creations, showing the efforts of the restaurant. There were also some Japanese sake that I hadn't heard of before, making it fun to choose. I think the place is run by a husband and wife, and they were very friendly. It was a cozy izakaya where I wish more tourists could visit to truly experience Hokkaido's food. I heard that they are currently in the process of relocating, which is a bit inconvenient for me, but I definitely want to visit again.

When you start craving cream cheese marinated in Saikyo miso, head to this place. I highly recommend it for those who enjoy shochu. The menu pairs perfectly with any of the shochu varieties they offer, such as Koso (barley), Kaiko (rice), Agaku (barley), or Jinko (sweet potato). I always go for Jinko. The best thing about this place is the delicious appetizers they serve, like simmered fish or octopus with vinegar miso dressing. The appetizers change depending on the day, but they are definitely worth the 500 yen.