Located in Akabane, Kita-ku, Tokyo, "Genki Sakaba Irasshai Mercy" is a cozy izakaya that I stumbled upon while passing by. I visited this establishment during the nighttime portion of my two-day solo trip "Ueno & Akabane Bar Crawl." I arrived around 5 pm and found a seat at the counter, as it was open seating. "Genki Sakaba Irasshai Mercy" is actually run by the famous manager Mercy from "Gensho Shichirin Charcoal Grill Ikudon Akabane," which was originally my first stop for the night. However, when I saw Mercy inside the counter, I couldn't resist entering the establishment. Mercy warmly greeted me with a "Welcome, Mercy!" The restaurant serves Aomori cuisine and local sake, which attracts many customers who come to meet the renowned manager. I ordered the "Towada Bara Yaki" for 1,030 yen, the "Gakko Potato Salad" for 700 yen, and a "Nama Beer" for 550 yen. Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos, but they also serve an "Otoshi" dish for 400 yen alongside your drinks. The "Towada Bara Yaki" is a teppanyaki dish using Aomori's grilled meat sauce "Stamina Gen Tare." It consists of beef and onions seasoned with this slightly spicy sauce, making it a dish that pairs well with rice. Served on a hot iron plate, be careful not to burn yourself. The "Gakko Potato Salad" is a potato salad mixed with Iburi Gakko, offering a delightful texture and flavor. Both dishes were delicious and complemented the drinks perfectly. Their "Nama Beer" is Asahi Super Dry served in a special glass for certified Asahi beer establishments, enhancing the taste. Engaging in conversation with Mercy and enjoying the delicious food and beer, I ended up ordering three more "Nama Beers." I look forward to trying Aomori's local sake, "Aomori specialty Hime Ninniku Tempura," and "Hotate Kaiyaki Miso" next time. If you enjoy chatting with Mercy, Aomori cuisine, and local sake, I highly recommend this place.

Having a second drink at Akabane during the day. I was lured by the sign of unfamiliar Aomori cuisine and went up to the quiet second floor. I ordered a set of three types of sake for comparison, but I was quite drunk so I couldn't really compare. I ordered dishes like herring roe, 40cm long marinated herring, Aomori Owani hot spring bean sprouts, Towada beef belly grill, and enjoyed drinking sake like Ta-sake and Hassen. The majority of special junmai sake is probably the owner's preference. The princess garlic tempura and smoked gakko potato salad look delicious, and I want to try the famous upstairs soba and Apios tempura next time. It's a great place for those who love sake!

"Genki Sakaba Irasshai Mercy" is located about a 3-minute walk from Akabane Station. The owner of the restaurant is from Aomori Prefecture, so the menu features specialties from Aomori. <Beer (550 yen) & Appetizer (400 yen)> First, cheers with a beer. Having a beer as the first drink always feels like a reset. The appetizer for the day was a dish of nanohana, leeks, and pork cooked together. The bitterness of the nanohana, the crunchiness of the leeks, and the umami of the meat combined with a gentle dashi flavor. The appetizer was well-prepared and delicious. <Shirako Ponzu (880 yen)> First time this year having "shirako ponzu." It's a dish you have to eat during this season before it's gone. The creamy texture and the sweetness that spreads in your mouth are amazing! The sweet ponzu sauce enhances the sweetness of the shirako even more. This is a winter delicacy. <Neputa-zuke (400 yen)> When in Aomori, you have to order "neputa-zuke." The popping texture of the kazunoko and the rich flavor of the soy sauce coating the ingredients. Even just a little bit of this dish makes the sake go down smoothly. It's a great snack! It was my second stop of the day, so I didn't stay long, but I would like to visit as the first stop next time. Thank you for the meal!

Third stop on the bar hopping tour. I stumbled upon this place located diagonally across from Maruken Suisan and decided to check it out. The first floor has counter seats, while the second floor has table seating. The owner, a dapper gentleman named Massey, used to work at the nearby yakiniku restaurant Ikudon before opening this place. They offer a variety of drinks from Aomori sake to shochu, even Aomori apple juice sour. They have a sake tasting set of three for 1,200 yen where you can choose your favorite sake. The ocho cups are Tsugaru Bidoro glass. The simmered motsu appetizer is delicious. The assorted rare delicacies set for 700 yen is a great choice, with options like akamoku, umesuisho, and nebutazuke. The salted salmon roe for 550 yen is perfect with sake. The pickled nagaimo with wasabi is a great side dish. The Apios for 680 yen is a deep-fried potato dish, known as Aomori's superfood, with a unique taste similar to peanuts or beans, and a fluffy texture. Despite sitting at the counter, I found myself engaging in lively conversations with the staff, creating a fun atmosphere. Feeling full, I asked Massey for a snack recommendation, and he even made a reservation for me over the phone. Thank you, Massey, for the great hospitality. It's a welcoming place even for solo diners.

The restaurant has a nice terrace seating area and a fresh new building scent inside!