Savor Tokyo deeply! Drinking alley recommendations (1/3) A bar quarter rich with the human warmth of old
In the drinking alley one step away from the main street, is an entertainment district with little shops crowded together. There are drinking alleys that started as post-war black markets, and newly built drinking alleys as part of area regeneration. The appeal of the drinking alleys lies in having a good time with the strangers next to you, barhopping , and having a carefree time. This time, we introduce a street showing signs of the confusion of the 1940's, and full of human warmth:"Shinjuku Omoide Yokochō" (Drinking Alley of the Memory)!
This drinking alley with wooden eating establishments, close to Shinjuku West's Palette building and through the west exit of Shinjuku Oo Guard, was born as street and food stalls gathered in the ruins of the post-war era. There are even remnants of the days when ingredients for food were scarce,seen in the many cheap food places,like stew and yakitori stalls. It's a drinking alley with a charming feel of the good old days,felt in the wooden door divisions, and the old-fashioned appearance of the shopkeepers.
Shinjuku Omoide Yokochō official website (English)
website:
Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho
Besides the history and a walking guide, there's also a MAP.
You can enjoy home-made food and rare Japanese sake at reasonable prices at "Banshaku-ya", located next to a railroad track. The good thing about this bar is that, even though it's cheap, there's no compromise on the taste.
They pride themselves on their fresh ingredients and unique fish soup stock.
The overflowing menu items on the wall of the bar. There's so much you can't choose.
Rare in Tokyo"Hokke Sashimi" 480 yen (Including tax) Delivered direacly from Hokkaido, Hakodate.
Note: order ends when sold out.
"Yakitori Platter" with a choice of salt or sauce 780 yen (Including tax) A platter of spring onion and tuna, liver, gizzard, chicken skin, and chicken or fish meatloaf.
※Ingredients may be changed.
Most popular"Beef Gristle Stew" 390 yen
(Including tax)
You can appreciate shochu(Japanese liquor)that's hard to get even in Japan.
You can enjoy your meal while watching the trains at this two-story bar next to the railroad track. The sound of the trains on the track adds to the liveliness of the bar.
※The prices shown are all tax-included prices at the time of coverage, August 2014.
Banshaku-ya
Location: 1-2-2 West Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Telephone: 03-3345-8399
Business hours: Weekdays 3:00pm - 12:00am Saturday 11:30am - 12:00am
Sunday 11:30am - 11:00pm Closed: Irregular
Credit card: Accepted (VISA, MASTERCARD, JCB, AMEX, China Union)
Recommended visiting hours: Monday to Sunday 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Number of seats: 43 seats (20 on 1st floor, 20 on 2nd floor)
※Japanese menu only (some pictures included) ※Japanese staff only
"Tsurukame-tsukudo" has an impressive, original menu overflowing with dishes you can find nowhere else, like their specialty "Genkidon". The walls are decorated with pictures drawn by customers, and paper bills from various countries stuck to the walls by tourists. It brings the staff and customers closer together.
Their specialty "Genkidon", beef gristle boiled over time with stir fried vegetables 600 yen (Including tax)
Eat it once and you're addicted. Comes with free miso soup.
You can watch TV during your meal, which really feels like a casual eatery.
This humorous picture of octopus tempura was drawn by a customer.
Paper bills from various countries left by tourists like footprints left behind.
"Soy-don", soy beans, grilled beef, and tofu flavored with Japanese curry 500 yen (Including tax)
※The prices shown are all tax-included prices at the time of coverage, August 2014.
Tsurukame-shokudo
Location: 1-2-7 West Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Telephone: 03-3343-4078
Business hours: 3:00pm - 11:30pm Closed: Irregular
Credit card: Not accepted
Recommended visiting hours: Monday to Friday 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Number of seats: 25 seats
※Japanese menu only (some pictures included) ※Japanese staff only
A cafe where you can relax, away from the hubbub of the city. Their coffee has an unforgettable taste. After you order, the beans are ground and the coffee is brewed by dripping it through a flannel filter. They carefully select their beans from all over the world and roasts them themselves, making sure their coffee is of the best quality and in no way ordinary.
The coffee tastes even more delicious in this sophisticated interior. The decorations differ per season,
so you might discover something new the next time you visit.
Numerous luxury brand cups are lined up at the counter, and the staff chooses a cup that suits the customer's image.
"Blended Coffee Original", carefully brewed by dripping it through a flannel filter for a refreshing taste 700 yen (Including tax), and apple pie with cinnamon 470 yen (Including tax)
As a set 1,070 yen (Including tax)
Exquisite "Premium Coffee Jelly", with bittersweet coffee jelly, cream, red beans, and the sweetness of black sugar syrup 820 yen
(Including tax)
※The prices shown are all Including tax prices at the time of coverage, August 2014.
Tajiyama kohi-ten
Location: 1-2-6 West Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Telephone: 03-3342-0881 Business hours: 10:00am - 11:00pm (last order 10:30pm)
※2nd floor from 12:00pm Closed: New Year's Day
Credit card: Not accepted
Recommended visiting hours: Monday to Thursday 10 am - 12 pm
Number of seats: 45 seats (26 on 1st floor, 19 on 2nd floor)
website:
Tajiyama kohi-ten
※English, Chinese, Korean menu available ※ Japanese staff only
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Savor Tokyo deeply! Drinking alley recommendations (1/3) A bar quarter rich with the human warmth of old
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Savor Tokyo deeply! Drinking alley recommendations (2/3) The place that sparked the boom in drinking alleys with personality
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Savor Tokyo deeply! Drinking alley recommendations (3/3) A city oasis with discerning tastes
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