Stayed at San Members Kyoto Saga near Arashiyama. The hotel was high-class with spacious rooms, very satisfying! However, I opted for a room-only plan, so I needed to find dinner. I spotted a restaurant called "Oyaji no Daidokoro Tomo" nearby, specializing in seafood. It seemed like a cozy spot where I could enjoy a quiet drink alone. Upon entering, I found a few customers already there, and the owner and his wife were busy preparing dishes behind the counter. The place was quite busy. I ordered a draft beer to start the feast. - Appetizer: German potato-style - Dish: Blended butter with nagaimo (Chinese yam) - Cold tofu: Topped with shredded seaweed, bonito flakes, green onions, and soy sauce - Amberjack sashimi: Thick and fatty slices, delicious! - Ankimo (monkfish liver): Rich and flavorful, with a unique fish egg-like taste - Me-hikari (small fish) tempura: Small yet meaty, can eat even the bones, especially tasty when paired with the provided matcha salt, rock salt, or curry salt - Ray fin: Generous portion, thick and chewy with a distinctive texture and sweetness, perfect as a drinking snack - Nagaimo (Chinese yam) with umeboshi (pickled plum): Plenty of umeboshi, refreshing and delicious - Mackerel heshiko (salted and fermented fish): A specialty from Fukui, strong saltiness added to the delicious mackerel flavor, might be a bit too salty without rice or sake I wanted to order Goto udon for the finish, but seeing a family of regular customers entering, I decided to settle the bill to ease the rush for the restaurant. Cash only, as it is a small private shop, but understandable. The owner seemed quite authoritative, but was friendly enough with the customers, so it felt comfortable. The overall quality of the food was high, so I recommend taking the courage to visit even for first-timers. - Tabelog rating: 3.01 (1 review)

First post. I was searching for a retro izakaya near JR Saga Arashiyama Station in Kyoto for dinner, and I came across Oyaji no Daidokoro Tomo-san. It had a nostalgic atmosphere. I called to ask about their opening hours, and they said they were open. I made a reservation and went to the restaurant. There were 5-7 seats at the counter and two small raised tables for 4 people. I sat at the raised table and ordered a Sapporo Black Label and a Yebisu Black. As I looked at the menu, the beer and appetizers arrived. Bottled beer is always a good choice. The appetizer was lotus root and beef simmered in a rich sauce, which was comforting. After a toast, I ordered a vegetable salad, which had a vibrant presentation that contrasted with the restaurant's atmosphere. The dressing was sesame and the fresh vegetables were delicious. Next, I ordered Nagoya Cochin garlic yakitori. The garlic was huge, but the flavor was simple with just salt and pepper. The Cochin chicken was firm and juicy, and it paired well with the beer. The garlic was surprisingly delicious, with no strong odor or bitterness. The moon-viewing grated yam arrived, and although it was different from what I expected, it was tasty. It had a sticky texture, eggs, and a good broth. The raw octopus tempura had a light batter, a chewy texture, and a sweet octopus flavor. Squeezing lemon on it elevated the dish. I then ordered a nostalgic dish, Popeye sautéed spinach and egg. The sesame oil aroma made me crave a highball. I also added plum wine on the rocks. As it got a bit chilly, I ordered a hot water split with sweet potato shochu. When I mentioned feeling cold, they quickly adjusted the temperature and checked on me later. For the finale, I chose the grilled rice ball that a regular customer had ordered and the recommended seaweed miso soup from the whiteboard. I paired it with hot sake. The grilled rice ball was not too spicy or burnt. The seaweed miso soup was incredibly delicious, with perfect saltiness. It was the best I've ever had. Feeling uplifted, I added a cider apple chu-hi to finish. Thank you for the feast. The mother saw me off with a warm smile, creating a pleasant atmosphere throughout. It was a truly enjoyable time. [Personal Opinion] Even as a first-time visitor, it's totally fine. The only challenge is opening the door. If that's an issue, calling ahead for a reservation can make it easier to enter. This is a smoking-permitted establishment.