After a 4-year absence, I revisited this place and felt like I had traveled back in time to the Showa era as soon as I stepped through the curtain. The famous owner, Shin-chan, was in charge of the grill behind the counter. As always, he sang along to the Showa songs playing in the restaurant while serving the classic oden with chikuwa and boiled eggs as a starter. It felt like coming back home. This time, I came with two friends who were visiting for the first time. At first, they seemed a bit bewildered by the unusual atmosphere, but they quickly got used to it. Everything you eat here is delicious, generous in portion, and affordable. We spent about 4 hours until closing, occasionally singing along with Shin-chan. My friends were also very satisfied. We'll be back soon. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

The nights in Hakodate are long. I went to a small recommended restaurant called Gataro by a local acquaintance. It's a small place with private rooms! They have a lot of menus written on the wall that might be confusing, but they will explain them to you if you ask. The menu item called "Elevator" is a perfect snack with fried tofu and grated radish on top, perfect for drinking sake. The name comes from the idea of going up (fried tofu) and coming down (grated radish), like an elevator. It was quite filling, but the grated radish made it refreshing and delicious. There were many menu options to enjoy. The luxurious sashimi platter was also delicious with plenty of sea urchin. The rich and creamy texture was amazing. It was a luxurious experience with delicious food and drinks, and we had a great time chatting. Thank you for the meal.

I came to Hakodate for the first New Year's trip of Reiwa, which is a romantic journey. Today is the 7th day of my trip to Tohoku and Hokkaido. This is my 2900th review milestone. I was unsure where to go, but I decided on a unique izakaya called Gataro. I was in Hakodate's bustling downtown area of Goryokaku, planning to go out for drinks. I was lying on the hotel bed, searching for izakayas on my smartphone using Tabelog. The popular izakayas caught my eye, but when I called to make a reservation, they were fully booked for tonight, so I had to make a reservation for tomorrow. Now, I wondered where to go tonight, and a izakaya with a peculiar name, Gataro, caught my attention. In the manga "Zeni Kko" serialized in Shonen Champion in the past, there was a Gataro ship that picked up scrap iron at the bottom of the river, which left a somewhat dirty image in my mind. Could it be that Gataro? Is it a dirty izakaya? There are only 5 reviews on Tabelog, but there are nearly 80 reviews on Google Guide, and the average score is highly rated. Especially, the master seems to be quite unique. I got off at the Goryokaku tram stop and walked towards Goryokaku along the Gyokaidori street. The sidewalk was completely frozen and slippery. The spiked snow boots I bought in Morioka proved to be effective. At the intersection where Park Street intersects, there is a Hotel Route Inn on the left. Cross that intersection, walk to the left, and then turn right into the alley where the store is located. It has a nondescript appearance. However, lively voices can be heard from inside the store. I made my first visit at 7 p.m. without a reservation. As soon as I opened the door, a space that seemed to have slipped back in time appeared. It was like an izakaya from the 40s and 50s of the Showa era, with nostalgic enka songs playing. "Can I go in alone?" I asked. I managed to sit in the middle of the counter seats. The master, wearing a cap backwards, immediately spoke to me. "Where are you from?" "I came from Osaka." "Oh, why here?" "I looked it up on the internet. I came because there is an interesting master here." Oh, this person. He is about the same age as me. Well, let's take it easy and order a bottle of beer as usual. Most customers seem to order draft beer, so when I ordered a bottle of beer, the customer next to me said, "That's rare." The prices are the same on the menu though. The alcohol menu is placed on the counter, but the food menu is posted on the wall. Not only the menu but also posters and Kappa goods are crammed into the store. At first glance, it seems restless, but it strangely fits. The master sings along loudly to the nostalgic enka songs playing in the store. As you listen, it turns into an improvised song. He is cheerful as he grills skewers at the grill. This guy is really enjoying himself (laughs). Along with a Kirin Lager bottle beer, boiled eggs and bamboo shoots were served as appetizers. "This customer is alone, so talk to him," the customer next to me said, showing kindness and consideration. "I'm used to drinking alone, so it's okay," I replied. When my beer ran out, I ordered Gataro sake and namako vinegar. It's a junmai sake from Kindzakura Sake Brewery. One cup costs 460 yen. It's a sake with an original label design with a portrait on it. The namako vinegar contains quite a lot for one person. The master just keeps talking to himself. Rather, he sings. When I carefully looked at the posters on the ceiling, I saw a singer I had never seen before. "Who is this?" I asked. "It's me," the master said with a smile. He made the poster himself (laughs). There were also posters of the master striking the same pose as the singer (laughs). He's a funny guy. Gataro sake was also depicted on it. Gataro refers to a kappa in Oita. When I asked if he was from Oita, he laughed and said no. I had grilled pork tongue skewers and Gataro beef grilled. In Hakodate, pork skewers are called "yakitori." One skewer costs 120 yen to 220 yen.

I heard about a lively izakaya run by a cheerful owner and decided to check it out. It's located near the intersection of Yukinobu-dori and Takasago-dori, in a gravel parking lot. When you walk through the green noren curtain, you'll make eye contact with the owner standing behind the counter. Even if it's your first time meeting him, he greets you with a friendly "Long time no see!" The interior of the restaurant has counter seats, raised tatami seating, and private dining rooms, with the menu written on paper strips on the wall. One dish that customers always seem to order is the "Gataro Seiniku" (200 yen). The assorted sashimi platter was also delicious. Whatever you order, you can expect generous portions. The energetic owner, who sings while grilling, is definitely worth a visit.

I was told by my hairdresser, who always cuts my hair, about this bar with a strong and entertaining master. The location is a bit hard to find. I pass by this area often, but you won't know where the shop is unless you specifically head there. It's tucked away at the back of a parking lot. It's been around for decades and is considered a long-standing establishment. The wall is covered with menus, and the posters give off a nostalgic vibe. Wait a minute, isn't that the master's face on the poster? This guy has a great sense of humor. He makes jokes when taking orders. He sings, drinks, and makes weird noises while grilling chicken skewers. It's so entertaining just to watch him. The sashimi platter is delicious, especially the tuna and mackerel. They are thickly sliced and very satisfying. There are many items on the menu that are hard to understand. What is an elevator dish? Ordering can be a bit intimidating. You never know what dish will come out from the master. The waitress Honma-chan is also friendly and easy to talk to. The atmosphere created by the master and the bar is not something you would experience at any other bar. It's a unique and valuable place. Perfect for a casual drink. The food is delicious, so I will definitely be back.

When I was looking for a izakaya to visit during my trip to Hakodate, I came across this place and got excited thinking it looked like a fun restaurant. The interior was messy, with menus covering the walls and retro posters, record jackets everywhere! And if you look closely, all the faces on the posters were the same... the owner's face! They were all edited to feature the owner's face, which was quite clever and not easy to notice at first glance (or maybe it was just me?). The menu had a wide variety of options, with names like "Elevator," "Long Vacation," "Kaibetsu," "Oroyaku," which seemed confusing at first glance. Everything was delicious, except for the "Hoya vinegar," which had a strong and overwhelming fishy smell that knocked me out. They need to improve that dish. The owner pretended to be drunk on non-alcoholic Hoppy, happily grilling food until there were no more orders, then happily drinking his Hoppy. The other staff member (Hon-chan) supported the owner while working efficiently and confidently. The atmosphere of the restaurant might appeal to some people, so if you're intrigued by this review, definitely give it a try!

I'll make it clear that it depends on personal preference. The atmosphere of the restaurant... the walls are decorated with record jackets based on the master's taste. It has a Showa era vibe. The restaurant is advertised as a place where you can listen to oldies, so if you want to enjoy drinking while listening to oldies, it's a good choice. The menu has a wide variety of options. Some items may be difficult to choose just by their names, which can be fun. The dishes made by the master's wife are all delicious and exquisite. Everything is recommended. There are also unique drinks like Oroyaku, a mix of Yakult and Oronamin C. It's delicious. And above all, the master Shin-chan's character is extremely strong. Give it a try.

Gataro is riding on it!! It's a hidden gem, right? The place is described as being difficult to find, tucked away in a small shop, but once you step inside, it's like entering a different world. The atmosphere is not fancy, but the delicious dishes with their mysterious names and the master's smile create a warm and welcoming feeling. It's recommended for those looking to relax and unwind. However, it might be a bit intimidating for a woman to go alone. If it were a bit cleaner, it would be more welcoming for women to visit together. But I guess it's important to maintain that unique atmosphere.