I visited Haya-kawa Sushi, a sushi restaurant located behind this liquor store, after hearing about its reopening post-COVID. The atmosphere was a bit messy, but I decided to overlook it. The sushi was delicious, with each piece costing 200 yen. Opting for the omakase set with 5 pieces and a side dish for 1000 yen was a great deal. The sushi rice was seasoned perfectly, and the toppings were flavorful enough that soy sauce wasn't necessary. Overall, I would rate Haya-kawa Sushi a 4.5. The selection of drinks was good, and it was a nice spot for a quick and satisfying meal. I would definitely go back again.

I think it is not advisable to take public transportation to buy takeout products, so I have not been using public transportation since the state of emergency was declared. I visited a department store after a long time to look for delicious Japanese sake, which I usually buy at the basement floor. The corner sake tasting space in the back is closed because social distancing cannot be maintained. It was fun to see a mix of familiar and unfamiliar sake in the refrigerator. The sake I tried is as follows: Eikofuji Shichisei 2020 Dewanosato Junmai Daiginjo Unfiltered Namazake for 3300 yen. It is the first release of the summer sake STARS. I enjoyed it with yakitori at home. When I opened the bottle, there was a satisfying "pop." In the cut glass, I could see fine bubbles rising. It did not disappoint with its sweet ginjo aroma and rich taste. It's very delicious. The greenery in the park visible from the sake tasting space is becoming denser. I hope for the day when the pandemic ends and we can reopen soon...

You can enjoy hand-rolled sushi at this standing bar, and on this day, although we couldn't have hand-rolled sushi, we enjoyed it at the two previous places, so it's all good. We bought a big bottle of Akahoshi and some snacks at the shop, then headed to the back. Cheers with Akahoshi and sake! [Red Clam] Friend's choice, I often buy this at convenience stores as a snack with alcohol after work, I like this one. [Mussel] Friend's choice, this was my first time trying it. I like canned shellfish. [Horse Mackerel] It's a bit oily, but I like this one. It's even better if it's not too sweet. [Pistachio] I don't usually buy this because it's expensive, but it's been a while since I had it. I remembered the time when I was in Hawaii and ate a huge bag of pistachios like a pigeon, and ended up getting a nosebleed. (laughs) [Red Wine Simmered Dish] Goes well with beer. I like this one too. I love standing bars, even though it's not allowed to bring your own drinks. It would be nice if they had a better selection of snacks for sale. But we had a fun time drinking. There were signs everywhere warning about talking loudly, as complaints might come from the second floor, so be careful not to get too loud. Thank you for the meal.

I happened to have some business in Asagaya and decided to stop by this restaurant that I had been curious about for a while as a prelude to a drinking party. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a day when the sushi chef was out on a catering job, so I couldn't get any sushi as they apparently start serving around 6 pm. I had to leave without having a single bite, which was disappointing. The sushi chef kindly offered, but I had to decline. I did, however, try the Japanese sake "Potaripotari Kirinzan Gohyakumangoku" and it was really delicious. It was rich and flavorful. It cost 450 yen per glass.

I took a walk from Minami-Asagaya towards Asagaya and remembered that there was a standing bar nearby that I was curious about. I visited the shop and purchased some sake, which I enjoyed in the standing bar area at the back of the shop. I paid 50 yen per glass. I decided to have a Sapporo Lager Red Star beer. They have a wide selection of foreign beers, making it a fun place to visit. I will definitely use it again when I'm nearby.

After enjoying delicious tonkatsu, I met up with friends and went to a standing bar. From the outside, it looks just like a liquor store (laughs). Inside the store, there is an incredible variety of alcohol. They also have a wide selection of beers. After looking around, we ordered sake (350 yen) from the list above the register. The staff poured it into a cup for us. As we walked further into the store, we found a spacious hidden room where you can stand and drink. The popcorn that my friend ordered arrived, and it was a huge amount (laughs). It's perfect for everyone to snack on together. The signs in the room were amusing and added to the atmosphere. After one drink, we left. Overall, it seems like a sushi restaurant visits twice a week, so I'd like to go next time to coincide with that day. Thank you for the meal.

On June 13, 2019, I had a reunion with my old friend in Asagaya after half a year. We had a reservation at a place, so we decided to have a pre-drink here. We arrived at 5:30 pm and wandered around the place not understanding the system. Finally, the owner approached us and explained the system. We ordered some sashimi, dashimaki, and tuna marinated from the fridge, paid including the corkage fee, and went to the standing area in the back. The owner mentioned that it was a day when the sushi restaurant was open. We were the first ones to arrive at the sushi counter. We ordered sashimi with squid, salmon, and sea bream, as well as dashimaki which was really good value for money. We also added some Heartland beer. It was a unique experience to have sushi at a standing bar. Normally, standing bars are for quick drinks. This kind of setup is typical of Asagaya. We left satisfied and full. Thank you for the delicious meal.

Finally, I visited the long-awaited Sakamitsuya-san. I had been curious about this standing bar for a while after reading reviews from other customers. The inside of the shop is lined with all kinds of alcohol. When I confirmed the system with the owner at the register, I learned that: ① First, choose your drink at the bar ② Only Asahi beer from the big four companies can be poured from the tap, other beers are not allowed ③ Pay at the register before going to the back for your drink ④ Glasses are reused ⑤ Dispose of your own trash ⑥ No loud noise, sitting while drinking, or disruptive behavior. Feeling a bit unsure, I decided to get a 333 beer and eagerly moved to the back. There was already a customer, an older gentleman, at the counter. I quickly poured myself a glass and started drinking while admiring the fresh greenery outside. 333 beer goes down smoothly and is easy to drink. It feels like being in a zoo enclosure with people passing by on the street in front. Cheers! After a short stay, I moved on to the next place. Later, I revisited the back room and ordered the Deep Daikokuji Beer canned yakitori. This time, a group of well-built foreigners with tattoos occupied the front of the shop, drinking bottled beer loudly while quietly enjoying their drinks at the standing bar. The canned yakitori can be heated in the microwave, and the sauce melts nicely. I stayed for about 15 minutes, watching the weather forecast on TV, drinking craft beer, nibbling on yakitori, and then finished up. Clean-up is self-service. Thank you for the meal. I look forward to visiting again.

I visited a sake store with a standing bar in Minami Asagaya for the first time. It turned out that a sushi chef would come to the store to make fresh sushi! The sushi chefs from "Hayakawa Sushi," "Ikeda Sushi," and "Tsumugiya" offer their services at this place on certain days. The menu includes sushi for 200 yen per piece, appetizers for 400 yen per plate, a set of 5 sushi pieces and an appetizer for 1000 yen, and assorted sashimi for 500-1500 yen. On the day of my visit, I bought a glass of Bottega Prosecco DOC and enjoyed some whelk ajillo while waiting for the sushi chef to arrive. Unfortunately, the sushi chef service was not available that day, so I spent some time watching children play in the nearby park. Make sure to check the schedule for the sushi chef service before visiting this place to avoid disappointment.

It's hot, isn't it? When it's hot every day, it's really hard to decide what to eat, and cooking becomes a chore. In the evening, I was pondering what to have for dinner, and then I remembered that today is the last sushi day of the month at Mitsuya's corner store where you can get Sushi by Hayakawa-san! I had to go! I arrived around 7:30 pm. The back room was already packed, and there were a few customers waiting outside. I hesitated if I should wait or come back another day. But a regular customer told me to wait while having a drink and if a spot opens up, they will let me know. So, I waited while enjoying a beer. Before finishing my beer, a customer left and I was able to get a seat in the back room. The place can get quite crowded depending on the day. Today was a busy day. I ordered sashimi, appetizers (fish sausage and simmered shellfish), and shellfish sushi, along with some sparkling sake like Nene and Bijoubu. Bringing your own sake is allowed with a small fee. It was nice to be able to choose from a variety of sparkling sake in front of the refrigerator. I finished with sushi mainly made of red meat. Around 9 pm, the place started to quiet down, and I chatted with the people around me about the usual crowd, what they were buying, and other casual topics. That's how the night in Asagaya shopping street gently passed by. It was another enjoyable day. Thank you for the meal!

"Sake no Mitsuya" in Asagaya is a liquor store that offers "kakuteru" where you can enjoy the shop's sake at a low price inside the store. What makes this place unique is the presence of "Hayakawa Sushi", a traveling sushi shop that operates at the kakuteru once or twice a week. The shop is located about 7-8 minutes from Asagaya Station South Exit in an arcade shopping street. The kakuteru space is not very spacious, and it is a standing bar style. You first purchase your sake at the store, then proceed to the back through the hallway to the kakuteru space. There is a variety of sake available, including "THE GANG Daiginjo" which can only be purchased here for 400 yen. The glass you receive can be used for refills of different sake. "Hayakawa Sushi" is popular, and it tends to get crowded after 6:30 pm. Despite the limited space, the sushi chefs work quickly creating a unique atmosphere. You order verbally and pay in advance. Sushi pieces are priced at 200 yen each, and appetizers are 400 yen per plate. The popular choice is "5 pieces of sushi + 1 plate of appetizer" for 1000 yen. On this day, the appetizer choices included "firefly squid namero", "fish roe cream cheese", "live octopus ponzu", and "sashimi small", with "firefly squid namero" being selected. The minced firefly squid mixed with miso and myoga goes perfectly with sake. Additionally, you can enjoy unlimited pickled ginger with your sushi orders. The sushi selection was chef's choice, including horse mackerel, red snapper, firefly squid, gizzard shad, and lean bluefin tuna. They are small in size, with firm rice, perfect for snacking. The freshness is undeniable, seasoned with simmered soy sauce or salt. Refilling your drink, we added "medium fatty tuna", "firefly squid", and "white mirugai". The medium fatty tuna was rich in flavor, a great value for 200 yen. The white mirugai had a crispy texture. Enjoying sushi while standing and drinking in a cozy space creates a unique experience. It's a different vibe compared to kakuteru in Ikebukuro or Hamamatsucho. While kakuteru usually attracts salarymen, here you'll find a mix of both men and women, reflecting the unique atmosphere of Asagaya."

There is a stylish liquor store with a variety of craft beers available in cans and bottles. In the hidden back room, you can enjoy "kakuteru," a unique drinking experience where the selection of drinks is limited. You can order beer in bottles, craft beer, wine, and sake at the register, and they will pour it for you right there. Snacks available include canned and dried goods, as well as some slightly moist options listed on the menu. Today, I enjoyed a glass of wine. The room is quiet, with only the sound of customers' voices. The park outside is dark and empty of children. A sushi chef comes a few times a week to prepare sushi, which I imagine must get crowded on those days.

A sake shop located in a shopping street near Minami Asagaya Station, offering a standing bar experience. Customers buy their sake at the entrance register and enjoy it in a hidden room in the back. The snacks mainly consist of dried foods typical of a standing bar, but depending on the day of the week, sushi is also available. The sake selection is impressive and reasonably priced, likely to impress even connoisseurs. This shop has incredible potential!

I finally visited Mitsuya's standing bar on Sushi Day! I often rely on this liquor store for their wide selection of IPAs and domestic wines when I want to try something delicious and unique. In addition to the standing bar, they also serve sushi on certain days of the month, so I made sure to visit on one of those days. I arrived around 8:30 PM, a bit after the peak hours, but the standing tables were still packed with people. I started by purchasing beer from the store, where you can enjoy any beer from their fridge for an additional 50 yen. I started with a Sapporo bottle and then tried a fragrant American beer. The sushi set for 1,000 yen included 5 pieces of nigiri and a choice of one appetizer from four recommendations. I ended up ordering more than 4 plates of nigiri, so I ended up trying all the appetizers. The fish sausage was a unique and delicious dish, almost like a fish terrine. The sushi was small and perfect for pairing with drinks, with the medium fatty tuna being particularly delicious. Towards closing time, the atmosphere was warm and friendly, making it a cozy and enjoyable experience. Thank you for the delicious meal!

Today, I went for a daytime drink in Asagaya (* ´ ｪ `*). The first place my friend took me to was this liquor store. The exterior and interior looked like a regular liquor store, but as we went further inside...♡ First, we bought our favorite drinks and snacks. I got the following items here: • Organic Farming Fuji Beer with a vegan mark - a refreshing and delicious pilsner (* ´ ｪ `*) • Baby Cheese - even though I was already full, my friend insisted I try some cheese, so I gratefully accepted. It was reliably delicious, and I enjoyed it little by little. The bottled beer was opened at the register and handed to me with a glass. I took it to the spacious standing drinking area at the back of the store. It was surprisingly large and very pleasant, especially on a sunny and warm day (* ´ ｪ `*)♥ There were instructions and rules written on the wall, so let's enjoy while respecting the manners to avoid causing inconvenience to the nearby residents. Thank you for the meal!

About a 10-minute walk from Asagaya Station, there is a standing sake bar called Mitsuya where you can enjoy "kaku-uchi" style sake. They also have occasional visits from Hayakawa Sushi, offering sushi and other Japanese dishes. Mitsuya has a good selection of sake and even offers wines from the American West Coast, making it a rare find. When you visit Mitsuya, try the wine and leave the sushi selection to them - you can get 5 pieces of sushi plus a choice of side dish for an additional 1000 yen. Each additional piece of sushi costs 200 yen, and you can also order side dishes like ankimo, squid, whale jerky, and tamagoyaki. The sushi rice is small and easy to eat, with a perfect balance of vinegar. The sushi itself is expertly prepared. The whale jerky was a delicious and unique snack that went well with the drinks. You can also request additional items like sashimi to customize your meal. Mitsuya is always bustling with customers, and it's a great place to interact with others and enjoy a fun time. With affordable drinks from Mitsuya and reasonably priced sushi, the quality of the food and drinks make it a great value for a sushi and sake night out.

I visited this popular restaurant on a Saturday afternoon after seeing it on TV, but there were only 3 other customers. The drinking space is at the back of the restaurant, with a view of a small park from the window. It was a nice day, and there were energetic children playing while their parents watched over them. As I sipped my drink, I couldn't help but think, "Don't become such a lousy adult." If you don't want to have these kinds of thoughts, I recommend visiting at night. The atmosphere is cheap and perfect for those who are a bit of a mess. They don't serve food, but they do sell snacks. The cost performance is great, and they have a wide variety of drinks to enjoy. Drink as much as you want! (But there is a time limit)

I heard that the restaurant has resumed serving drinks. I bought some today and plan to visit for standing bar next time.

Drinking at the back of a sake brewery. Sipping on cold sake. The mountain jellyfish was delicious.

It's bright outside, but it's around 5:30 pm. I discovered they have half bottles of wine this time. I'll aim for that next time.