This is a review of using Tsubocchi. The menu is the same. It is delivered from the second floor Tsubo Hachi. Tsubocchi has its own pricing because it is a karaoke place. Tsubo Hachi offers unique menu items and drink-all-you-can plans specific to the Shin-hassamu store. Limited-time menu: Miso steak. The photo looks delicious, so I ordered it. The actual dish looked even more delicious than the photo. It was incredibly tasty, tender, and well-seasoned. There were no tough parts. The meat sushi was also delicious. The clams were tasty too. I ordered the same steak at a different Tsubo Hachi and was surprised by how different it looked. It was almost like it was a different cut of meat... It's amazing how different the same restaurant can be. I highly recommend the Shin-hassamu location. The service is great too!

Meeting at Tsubohachi in the neighborhood. I have been a customer of Tsubohachi since its establishment. Back in my student days, I used to go drinking with just a 100 yen coin in my pocket, enjoying salted fish guts and sake (Niseko!) for only 800 yen. Times have changed, and Tsubohachi has evolved as well. The owner has also changed. Tsubohachi was founded in 1973 by Seiji Ishii. When I entered university in 1980, the popular izakaya chains were Tsubohachi, Musashikura, etc. Founded in Nishi Ward, Sapporo, Tsubohachi grew steadily, contributing significantly to establishing the izakaya business with 400 stores and 50 billion yen in sales. Before Tsubohachi, the only izakaya I can think of was Yorozu no Taki. Furthermore, Tsubohachi's influence led to former Tsubohachi store managers like Miki Watanabe of Watami and Masami Oogami of Shirakiya (Monterosa) starting their own chains. Miki Watanabe saved money working at Sagawa Express (which was known for long working hours) for three years before buying the management rights of a Tsubohachi store and entering the restaurant business. Tsubohachi formed a joint venture with Itoman in 1983. Subsequently, Itoman gained control of Tsubohachi's management rights, leading to Ishii leaving the company. (Itoman later caused a financial scandal around 1990, shaking its main bank, Sumitomo Bank.) Nevertheless, Tsubohachi's strength lies in constantly updating its menu and pursuing new izakaya formats such as karaoke rooms and private rooms with TVs. On this day, we enjoyed all-you-can-drink beverages, along with dishes like yakitori, rolled omelette, pizza Genovese, and fresh fragrant. We watched the Japan Series on TV. The conversation flowed, and we had a fun time until the end...

The restaurant is located along the Shimoina River. They have a parking lot, but if you're driving, please don't drink and drive. I went on a holiday evening and arrived at around 6:30 pm without a reservation, so I had to wait for almost an hour. It's located in a residential area, so there are quite a few families. The prices for the food are similar to other Tsuboya restaurants, but there is an additional charge of 100 yen per person for a private room. They also serve appetizers. The room had a TV, so it might be nice to watch a game while drinking.

While enjoying karaoke, I went to "Tsubocchi" where you can enjoy the usual menu of "Tsubo Hachi". I had been curious for a long time, thinking "I want to go to a karaoke place with a wide variety of menu options!" The number of rooms seems a bit less compared to places that mainly focus on karaoke, but they have small rooms to large rooms for parties. The clientele seemed to include many families with small children. I went by car, so I opted for the all-you-can-drink soft drinks (1 hour = 440 yen), while my wife chose the all-you-can-drink alcohol (1 hour = 780 yen) for a 2-hour plan. We were shown to our room and immediately started ordering! We had dishes like Stamina Grilled Pork from Tokachi = 388 yen, Vinegared Miso with Nira and Squid from Shiriuchi = 298 yen, Negitoro Roll = 298 yen, Edamame = 298 yen, Kimchi Jjigae = 480 yen, Genghis Khan Fried Chicken = 388 yen, Ramen Salad = 480 yen, and Skewer A la Carte = 680 yen. Soft drinks are self-service from the second cup onwards, but other dishes and drinks are brought to you within 2-3 minutes after ordering. The staff's service was gentlemanly and polite, leaving a very good impression. We extended our 2-hour plan by 30 minutes and the total bill came to 6,360 yen. Compared to karaoke chains with a nationwide presence, I think it's quite affordable! Born in Kotonishi, Sapporo, "Tsubo Hachi" will continue to be my go-to place. Thank you for the meal.