Furusato

Tucked just off the main street in Kawaguchi's Sakaecho district, Furusato carries an easy, nostalgic air reminiscent of the Showa era. Once seated with an order of cold beer, guests might be welcomed with a warm, meaty shumai dumpling as the otoshi table starter, kicking off the evening on an unpretentious note.

The menu covers the classic izakaya repertoire, from fresh seafood platters and daily sashimi specials to charcoal-grilled skewers. Diners appreciate the thick-cut sashimi and the freshness of the kohada (gizzard shad), alongside skewers of yakitori and chicken wings. The skewered lineup covers crowd-pleasing cuts like chicken thigh, liver, skin, and gizzard, along with garlic skewers, throat cartilage, and raw white offal to keep drinks flowing.

Small side dishes are plentiful as well, including slowly stewed motsu nikomi, savory nikudofu, and comforting homestyle omelets. Drinks can be tailored to the mood, spanning large bottles of beer, salted mikan sours, Kyoho grape sours, and sake.

For the final course, options include hearty grilled rice balls with savory fillings, comforting ochazuke, and somen noodles prepared cold, warm, or stir-fried. Run by an affable master and landlady in a relaxed setting, it is a comfortable drinking spot suited equally to solo visits and casual evening drinks.