Service: attentive and easy-going
Equipment & facilities: old but overall clean. Shared washroom (old-fashioned and basic, but clean)
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: oden, comfort food, great sake list. Great traditional Japanese atmosphere!

Shizuoka City is renowned all over Japan for a typical Japanese comfort food called “oden”, a kind of Japanese pot–au-feu.
Now, if you want to eat such local food in our city, the best place is Aoba Oden Gai/青葉おでん街 located along Aoba Park Street in Aoi Ku.
This izakaya alley of another era hasn’t changed much when it was created in 1950’s when the City asked the open-air food stands in Aoba Park Street to move out!

Everyone in town has its very own favorite odenya/oden izakaya but the busiest area is naturally Aoba Oden Gai where you still have to choose among 18-odd shops!
It took me a long time to choose mine and I have never visited another since then!

It is distinctive for its unusual (in Shizuoka) round-shaped red paper lantern with a small cat daring you to come inside!

Kasuri/かすり!
Its noren/shop entrance curtain is actually larger than in most shops inside this alley offering some welcome privacy to its patrons!

There are many reasons for Kasuri having become my favorite odenya in Shizuoka City.
First of all, the Mama-san, although a very discreet lady who shuns photographs, is a person with whom it is a pleasure to share a talk. She is from Akita Prefecture but has lived long enough in Shizuoka to claim a “double nationality”! Her single presence encourages all the customers to join in quickly in interesting conversations and I suspect some of them patronize Kasuri to catch a few tidbits of information!

Another reason is the best choice in sake both from Shizuoka and elsewhere (including Akita of course!) to be found in that alley. The list is practically changing with every week. Make a point to discuss your choice with the Mama San first!

Don’t worry, all main drinks are available, including beer, wine, shochu, whisky and some unusual discoveries from time to time!

Another reason is the style of oden.
In many places in Shizuoka City the broth can be as dark as the middle of the night, but Kasuri serves a version somewhere between Shizuoka and light broth Kansai style, far healthier and tastier for my own point of view.

The oden themselves are served in many manners, either with Japanese hot mustard, aonori/a mixture based on dry green laver seaweed (only in Shizuoka!) or miso mixture, or with all three if it is your fancy!
Among the oden offered to your choice you will fiund quite a few only encountered in our Prefecture!

But a more important difference with other odenya is that the Mama San also offers all kinds of freshly prepared comfort food varying with the days and seasonal ingredients available on the local (and in her own Akita Prefecture!)!

Accordingly the food comes in all styles from very Japanese hors d’oeuvres to…

hot pasta in small dishes!
Well, it doesn’t matter how many times you come, you can always expect some kind of discovery, especially with many patrons bringing some great morsels from their business trips while having a last drink and morsel before hitting the road back home!

KASURI/かすり

Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Tokiwa cho, 2-3-6, Aoba oden Gai
Tel.: 054-255-6758
Opening hours: 16:30~24:30
Closed on Wednesdays
Cash only
If you come as a small group call beforehand as the place does not have many seats!

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Service: very kind and attentive
Equipment and facilities: overall a bit old but very clean
Prices: appropriate~a little expensive
Strong points: at least 23 sake from Shizuoka Prefecture!

Makoto and Chieko Naruoka/成川岡真・千恵子さん are celebrating the 35th Anniversary of their izakaya, Tanuki no Hana/狸の穴 (the racoon’s lair!) until July 10th!

The place has little changed over the years!

It is not the oldest izakaya in town but is certainly the oldest izakaya specialized in Shizuoka Prefecture sake!
Have a look at the sake labels on the window and you will discover some breweries that have long ceased to exist!
Makoto san in particular will happy to reminisce!

For their anniversary, Makoto and Chieko offer a special daily selection of five sake for only 500 yen a glass with a complimentary glass of draft beer!
Now, if you give them your name, size, phone number and e-mail address before the 10th you might become the lucky winner of a commemorative T-shirt!

A snack is also offered for 500 yen!

If you are a regular or give them any reason to like you they will probably come up with a complimentary snack!

I had three sake on offer that day:
Kinmei Junmai by Negami Brewery in Gotemba City!

Takasago Junmai Karakuchi (+10) by Fuji Takasago Brewery in Fujinomiya City!

Sayogoromo Junmai Karakuchi by Morimoto Brewery in Kikugawa City!

If you want not only to taste fine Shizuoka Sake but also learn about their history and anecdotes, Tanuki no Ana is the place!

TANUKI NO HANA/狸の穴

Makoto & Chieko Naruoka/成岡誠。千恵子さん
Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryogae Cho, 2-2-5 (near Aoba Park Street)
Tel.: 054-255-6704
Opening hours: 17:00~23:00
Closed on Sundays & National Holidays
Credit Cards OK

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

HIGHOCTANE/HAIOKU by Nick Itoh in Shizuoka City

Service: Very friendly and easy-going! Slow food!
Facilities: Very clean overall. Large and clean washroom.
Prices: reasonable
Strong points: Great list of sake and shochu. Typical izakaya gastronomy with a personal touch!

It has been a long time since I paid a visit to Waga in Takajyo, Aoi Ku, Shizuoka City, a typical Japanese izakaya!
The problem is that it is a bit too near my workplace for comfort! LOL
Anyway I managed to go there again without being too much noticed!

Typical o-toshi/first snack: eggplant o hitashi!

Sashimi is always of superior quality at Waga!

Tuna/maguro and bonito/katsuo!

Sake tasting set!

A specialty of the house: daikon katsu!

Another specialty of the house: nankotsu age/deep-fried chicken cartilages! probably the best in town!

Add a tofu salad to this and you have a very healthy dinner!

WAGA
Shizuoka City, Takajo, 2-1-20, Kuroyanagi Bldg. 1F
Tel.: 054-271-7121
Business hours: 17:30~23:30, 17:30~26:00 (on Fridays, Saturdays and National Holidays)
Closed on Mondays

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents

IZAKAYA RANKING: +3
Service: +3 Very kind, attentive and smiling
Equipment & Facilities:+3 Very clean overall. Superb washroom.
Prices:+1~+2 Reasonable
Strong points: Shizuoka sake (all breweries featured!)! Superb sashimi plates. Shizuoka Tea Pork!

See “Izakaya Ranking” system at bottom of article!

A brand new izakaya was born very recently and is acquiring a very big reputation all over Shizuoka City: Mansouya!

It is located in a fairly quiet place in Aoi Ku behind Isetan Department Store on the first floor of red-bricked Castle Hotel which used to house a Chinese restaurant!

Note the cedar ball, a feature you will find at the entrance of sake breweries!

One big reason for its popularity is that it is the only establishment serving sake from all the breweries in Shizuoka Prefecture, even those which are on the fringes selling somebody else’s sake!

Another reason is that the serve pork from local pigs fed with local green tea! Talk about extravagant Shizuoka gastronomy!

Not only do they serve sake from Shizuoka prefecture but also local fish and seafood!

They are certainly a working hard lot even at lunch and no holidays!

It is always a good idea to reserve especially at night!
If you come alone sitting at the counter is probably best!

Large groups will feel more comfortable sitting on the tatami floor! But it can become very noisy!

But there are plenty of tables and chairs for small groups! Note the walls decorated with sake brewery aprons!

Have a look at all the sake in the fridge! The staff, if not too busy, will have the pleasure to explain their origin!

If you come to taste as many sake as possible the best solution is to order a 3 sake tasting set for only 800 yen!
The bottles will be brought onto your table and you are welcome to take photographs!

Each bottle being explicitly numbered, the number of the brewery you wish to taste will be written on your sake tasting set paper!

Splendid system if you want to report on the tasting!

O-toshi/snack coming with first drink!

Beautiful sashimi plate with fish and seafood from Shizuoka Prefecture! Great value!

Of course Shizuoka oden is a regular dish all year round! Note that are seasoned the Shizuoka way with “aonori”! Shizuoka oden are darker than the ones found in other prefectures!

And more sake!
Actually, I’m planning to conduct some sake tastings there in the future!

Don’t forget to order the tea pork! Great comfort food for the meat lovers!

Very generous portions with yakitori, including my favorite, “tsukune”/minced meat ball!!

Expect regular visits in the future!

MANSOUYA/満惣屋)

Shizuoka City, Aoi Ku, Ryougae Cho, 1-4-8. Castle Hotel Bldg. 1F
Tel.: 054-253-0088
Opening hours: 11:30~14:00, 17:00~23:00 on weekdays, 11:30~23:00 on Saturdays, 11:30~22:00 on Sundays
Credit cards OK
Parties welcome!
Reservations highly recommended

IZAKAYA RANKING SYSTEM
IZAKAYA RANKING:
+1 ought to be visited at least once
+2 could be become a regular visit
+3 must visit!

Service:
+1 standard
+2 pleasant
+3 very good

Equipment & Facilities:
+1 standard
+2 excellent
+3 Superb

Prices:
+1 cheap
+2 slightly expensive but good value
+3 expensive but good value

RECOMMENDED RELATED WEBSITES

So Good Sushi Restaurant in Nice France
Navigating Nagoya by Paige, Shop with Intent by Debbie, BULA KANA in Fiji, Kraemer’s Culinary blog by Frank Kraemer in New York,Tokyo Food File by Robbie Swinnerton, Green Tea Club by Satoshi Nihonyanagi in Shizuoka!, Mind Some by Tina in Taiwan, Le Manger by Camille Oger (French), The Indian Tourist, Masala Herb by Helene Dsouza in Goa, India, Mummy I Can Cook! by Shu Han in London, Pie
rre.Cuisine, Francescannotwrite, My White Kitchen, Foodhoe, Chucks Eats, Things that Fizz & Stuff, Five Euro Food by Charles,Red Shallot Kitchen by Priscilla,With a Glass, Nami | Just One Cookbook, Peach Farm Studio, Clumsyfingers by Xethia, PepperBento, Hapabento, Kitchen Cow, Lunch In A Box, Susan at Arkonlite, Vegan Lunch Box; Tokyo Tom Baker, Daily Food Porn/Osaka, Only Nature Food Porn, Happy Little Bento, J-Mama’s Kitchen, Cook, Eat, Play, Repeat, Bento Lunch Blog (German), Adventures In Bento, Anna The Red’s Bento Factory, Ohayo Bento,

Must-see tasting websites:

-Sake: Ichi For The Michi by Rebekah Wilson-Lye in Tokyo, Tokyo Through The Drinking Glass, Tokyo Foodcast, Urban Sake, Sake World
-Wine: Palate To Pen, Warren Bobrow, Cellar Tours, Ancient Fire Wines Blog
-Beer: Another Pint, Please!, Beering In Good Mind: All about Craft Beer in Kansai by Nevitt Reagan!
ABRACADABREW, Magical Craftbeer from Japan
-Whisky: Nonjatta: All about whisky in Japan by Stefan Van Eycken
-Japanese Pottery to enjoy your favourite drinks: Yellin Yakimono Gallery

Non gastronomy must-see sites by Shizuoka Residents