There is a noticeable izakaya with red neon lanterns that blend into the neon street in Honcho, Hakodate. It seems that this izakaya was opened in 2013, formerly a soba shop. Upon entering, you will see a long counter (about 8 seats), table seating in the back, and tatami seating on the left. Prices include draft beer for 520 yen, sake starting from 480 yen, and sour drinks for 420 yen. The bottle of Kag

When there was a Daiei store in Honcho, there was a soba restaurant called Koushiya on the first floor. With the closure of Daiei, the restaurant also closed down, but the second generation owner continued the business and now runs a thriving izakaya there. It's a cozy izakaya run by a couple, and since it used to be a soba restaurant, they also serve soba noodles. They offer a nightly set menu for 1,300 yen, which includes a drink, appetizer, 2 skewers, sashimi, and another dish. It's a regular izakaya, nothing special because it's in Hakodate. They don't cater to the typical touristy seafood dishes like fresh squid, but rather focus on traditional pub food. The interaction between the couple is charming and relaxing. In Hakodate, locals usually frequent casual izakayas like this one for everyday dining. The city's rich history as a port town has shaped its unique food culture and habits, but places like this izakaya are essential nationwide, serving as a sanctuary for older gentlemen.

I went to "Izakaya Kineya" on this day. I found out about this place for the first time and wanted to go after seeing a review from MyReviewer. I arrived after 7 PM and there were no other customers. I sat at the counter and ordered the "Evening Set" that was written in front of the shop. First, I received a draft beer and a side dish of "Simmered Eggplant". Wait, Eggplant simmered? Oh no! I don't like eggplants at all and I've never had simmered eggplant before! With the master and mama's eyes on me, I couldn't not eat it. I hesitantly tried it and to my surprise, it had a delicious broth flavor. The simmered eggplant was actually tasty! As I enjoyed my beer, a "Rolled Omelette" arrived. Then came the "Pork Sashimi" and "Sashimi". I found out from talking to the master and mama that before running this shop, the master had worked at a soba restaurant in the city for many years. No wonder the rolled omelette and simmered eggplant were delicious. After hearing that, I couldn't leave without trying the soba, so I ordered the "Zaru Soba" as my last dish. The soba was refreshing and the dipping sauce was delicious as expected. While eating the Zaru Soba, drinking beer, and chatting with regular customers who came in later, I ended up staying longer than I thought. This is a place I would like to visit again when drinking in Goryokaku. Thank you for the meal!

I am familiar with the area around the main gate, but the downtown area is unexplored territory for me. This time, I wandered into the bustling downtown area of Honcho, a street lined with snack bars, bars, and other establishments just off the main street. Along the way, I saw some tempting restaurants, but I prefer small, cozy places when dining alone. I spotted a place with a red lantern and a red curtain at the entrance, offering a "Evening Set for 1350 yen" - it was enticing! I immediately stepped inside. The main counter was manned by what seemed to be a couple running the place, creating a pleasant atmosphere. Naturally, I ordered the evening set. You could choose between beer, shochu, and sake for drinks, so I went with beer for now. The yakitori was pork with sauce, and you could also choose the type of meat and flavor. The owner promptly started grilling the yakitori and grating daikon radish by hand. Soon, a plate of nametake mushrooms with grated daikon, octopus, and salmon sashimi was served, and the freshly grated daikon was crisp and delicious. The yakitori was excellent, with richly flavored pork belly and green onions. When my beer was about a third gone, another dish arrived. "Oh, is this complimentary?" I asked. "No, this is the additional dish," the owner replied. It was a savory dashimaki tamago (rolled omelette) with sauce. I enjoyed it warm and tasty, and finished everything happily. Choosing this restaurant was definitely the right decision. Thank you for the delicious meal.