The restaurant was near my company and had caught my interest for a while. I went with a friend and there were no menus, just recommendations written on a blackboard. We ordered a draft beer and the recommended large plate dish on the table. We also ordered sashimi, spinach with sesame dressing, and fried chicken. The female owner was friendly and had a good sense of humor. The regular customers were loud, and so was the owner. She even asked if I wanted another drink, which surprised me, but I ended up treating her. The large plate dish on the counter seemed to be bought from a nearby store and slightly modified. The conversation was enjoyable until she asked if I wanted another drink, which made me think it was a bit cheeky. I paid the bill, which came out to be 12,000 yen for two beers, one sake, and three small dishes. The sake I treated the owner was quite expensive, considering the estimated prices. It may be a good place for lonely business travelers with money to spare, as it seemed to cater to that crowd. Laughing is the only option for those who feel a bit lonely and have extra cash to spend.

I was intrigued by the lively atmosphere and laughter spilling out onto the street from this always bustling restaurant. They have a system where you can choose two appetizers yourself. Overall, it's a bit on the pricier side, typical of Enzan. The menu inside doesn't have prices listed, which made me a bit hesitant to order, so I ended up just having the appetizers and two highballs before leaving. The total came to over 2000 yen... I later found out that the hearty laughter I always hear outside is from the cheerful landlady. She was a very bright and friendly woman!

"Good evening, it's great!"

Welcome. ---------- November 2017 ---------- Starting with a variety of options, the Nasu Miso Wakasagi Nanbanzuke at Hokuno Katsujun Sake is excellent. It's nice to have a great start. In the past, there were no choices, but as you go along, changing things up is also good. The menu had an unexpected hit with the Omelette Rice. It's a bit embarrassing, but somehow it's also a bit nostalgic to leave the restaurant without saying anything. They tried to sum it up with just three letters, "Tomco," but it didn't quite work out. Maybe because it's a Chinese character, haha. I don't usually make Omelette Rice myself, and I don't have many opportunities to eat it other than at lunch, so it's been a while. It's a taste of home-cooked food with a little extra. Thanks to my dear, I mean, sister for making it. Thank you for the meal.

Before 7:00 pm on a regular day, visiting alone. There were 2 groups of 2 people before and 3 groups of 4 people after. I had passed by the front of the restaurant several times before, but always heard laughter from inside and missed the chance to go in because it seemed like there were many regular customers. This time, with fewer customers due to the early hour, I finally decided to visit. It's a small izakaya called "Musou," run by the proprietress at the counter and a raised tatami seating area. You can choose 2 items from a few dishes for the course, or opt for a platter. I started with a beer and added 2 more dishes. The side dishes were perfect for sake and also great with rice. I tried a sake called "Juji Asahi" from Shimane for the first time, and it was quite good. The generous pour of sake was a delight for sake lovers. I listened to the enjoyable stories of regular customers and left the restaurant after about 2 hours. It was my first time there, so I felt a bit out of place, but the regulars and the friendly proprietress made me feel welcome. It's a place worth visiting when drinking alone near Maruyama.

Welcome. ---------- August 2016 ----------Located in a corner of the Minimaru Ichiba area, next to Kakushika, and across from Maruyama Kigen Sushiya. Konbanwa! "Welcome, please come in!" A very cheerful and friendly lady runs this cozy bar all by herself. With a long counter and a raised seating area in the back, the spacious and calm interior of the restaurant exudes a sense of tranquility. "Obanzai-dokoro" is the name of the place, and it's the perfect spot for home-cooked meals. Apparently, highballs are all the rage here! To start off, try the layered dish of Uni, tofu, and jelly. The Uni is from Rishiri, if I remember correctly. The recommended dishes are the cooked rice, set meal, and simmered dishes. Home-cooked meals are always a comforting choice for people of all ages. It's hard to say if she's the owner or the head chef, but ultimately, we just called her "Ne-san." Her abundant energy is contagious, and talking to her is both invigorating and soothing. We tried the Maruyama special assorted plate with 5 items, and the cucumber vinegar dish with a mellow vinegar flavor was particularly refreshing. The warm tofu and okara sandwich was juicy and delicious, and the triangular egg omelet was light and subtly sweet. All of these dishes paired well with sake. The name of the restaurant comes from the Ainu word for "sake," a fitting choice for a place run by a sake enthusiast. You can turn individual dishes into set meals, making it a great option for those who don't drink alcohol. Tom plans to return soon to try the cooked rice bowl. The ambiance and the warmth of Ne-san make this place truly special. Thank you for the wonderful meal.