Metohananosaki

Tucked down a quiet lane in Higashi-Nihombashi, Metohananosaki is an izakaya where carefully prepared appetizers meet a thoughtful lineup of sake. Among the curated bottles, a special house brew bearing the restaurant's own name stands out as an inviting reason to explore the drink list.

The food menu is filled with characterful small plates designed to pair with sake. Highlights include marinated cheese crafted specifically for sake after extensive trial and error, smoked chicken liver and heart finished with salt and sesame oil for a rich yet clean bite, and seared squid that naturally calls for gently warmed sake (nurukan). Other inventive Japanese dishes change with the seasons, from mashed taro (satoimo) to a crab and sake lees gratin.

For a full evening meal, diners can turn any main dish into a complete teishoku with a rice set that adds steamed rice, miso soup, and pickles, or choose comforting options like plum and tuna takikomi gohan (seasoned rice) and chicken tantan udon in an approachable portion. At lunchtime, the counter also draws visitors for teishoku meals such as grilled fish or curry accompanied by small side dishes.

Inside, counter and table seating framed in wood lends the room a warm, unpretentious atmosphere. It suits quiet solo visits as well as casual dinners with close company, though with limited capacity, making a reservation or checking ahead before an evening visit is advisable.