I came here for the first time in a while since the state of emergency was lifted. There were a lot of wild vegetables on the menu, probably because of the season. However, I'm not a big fan of wild vegetables... I got a bit drunk because it had been a while since I last drank, so I don't remember much about the food. I need to drink more responsibly next time and enjoy the meal.

Here you can relax and enjoy your meal. From appetizers to dessert, everything was delicious. The uni was especially good. The sashimi, grilled hair crab, and steamed sea bream were all excellent. The grilled tuna, yellowtail, and warm dish with bamboo shoots and clams were also very tasty. The tempura was crispy and light, and the eel pressed sushi was fantastic. The dessert of sweet potato yokan and heshiko kazunoko steak were also a great ending to the meal. Highly recommended.

Happy New Year! This year, I have once again ordered a traditional Japanese New Year feast called "osechi" from a restaurant in Hokkaido. I reserved the "Osechi Single Tier" (18,000 yen, tax included) as it was just the right amount for two people last year. The restaurant's beautiful building was a sight to behold as I entered to pick up the osechi on New Year's Eve. The menu included 30 different dishes, all beautifully arranged. I opened the osechi in the evening and enjoyed dishes like lobster, simmered abalone, and karasumi (dried mullet roe). Each dish was delicious, but the lobster with miso stood out as a favorite. The abalone was tender and flavorful, and the karasumi had a unique taste that paired well with sake. Other highlights included simmered vegetables and traditional osechi dishes like namasu, kurikinton, and kazunoko. I welcomed the New Year with a delicious meal, hoping for a great year ahead!

A while back, I think I remember having dinner here once, but I mostly come for lunch. It's a long-standing establishment, so I've visited quite a few times, but sometimes things seem a bit off. This time, I'm here for a certain event. Cheers with a glass of draft beer! Afterwards, since the sake I wanted wasn't on the drink menu, I went for shochu on the rocks with a dash of green juice. Green juice really comes in handy at times like this. It's delicious! If you're curious about the course menu, please refer to the menu. The sashimi was fresh and the grilled dishes were tasty. I used to avoid coming here for lunch due to disappointing service, but the service was great at night, and I thoroughly enjoyed the meal. It seems like Katayama-san shines more in the evening. Thank you for the meal!

Today is a bit different from my usual cheap eats routine. I had a business dinner with my superiors. We were seated on the second floor and served a meal consisting of tempura, sashimi, side dishes, pickles, rice, miso soup, and coffee (hot or iced). Normally, I would take five bites of rice and be done, but today I managed to eat ten bites. I thought to myself that I could eat two sets of this meal. Some of my coworkers also commented on the large portion, saying they would leave some rice. After finishing the meal, I had my coffee and now it's time to get back to work.

Happy New Year. I went to pick up the osechi (traditional Japanese New Year's dishes) that I had reserved at a restaurant on New Year's Eve. The restaurant is known for its elegant cuisine and beautiful interior, including a charming courtyard. I had reserved a one-tier osechi box for two people, which contained a variety of traditional Japanese dishes. Each dish was carefully prepared and delicious, especially the lobster which was the highlight of the meal. The osechi also included abalone, lotus root wrapped in smoked salmon, shrimp simmered in sake, matsutake mushroom, conger eel roll, and karasumi (bottarga). It was a bit pricey but definitely worth it for the quality of the food. We enjoyed the meal with some sake, welcoming the new year with hopes for a great 2019.

Every December, my partner and I treat ourselves to something a little more luxurious than usual. We often go out for Christmas dinner at various restaurants, and it's always busy during that time of year. This year, we decided to try a course meal at this restaurant a little early. The place gives off an old townhouse vibe, with a warm curtain hanging over a narrow alleyway entrance adorned with seasonal flowers. The view of the courtyard from inside is picturesque with a beautiful snowy scene. We were lucky to be seated in a private room with a view of the courtyard. We opted for the 5,000 yen course with an additional 2,000 yen for all-you-can-drink. We started with a toast of draft beer! The food started arriving. 1. Appetizers included boiled komatsuna greens, fukusatomago (soft-boiled egg), namako vinegar, Hokkaido shrimp, and scallop simmered in a light sauce. The namako vinegar with a hint of acidity paired well with the beer. 2. Sashimi consisted of fresh bluefin tuna, botan shrimp, and scallop. All were incredibly fresh, with the botan shrimp being particularly succulent and delicious! After two beers, we switched to sake. The all-you-can-drink option only offered "Kokushimuso" sake. When we asked if that was the only option, the staff kindly offered us a complimentary glass of "Juyondai Nakadori Junmai Muroka" sake. We then enjoyed hot sake, red wine, plum wine, and more. The third course arrived. 3. Grilled dish included grilled cold-season walleye with young sprouts and ginkgo nuts. The aroma was delightful, and the ginkgo nuts were a nice touch. 4. Hot pot dish featured crab sukiyaki. The broth was flavorful, and the crab meat was tender. 5. Fried dish had true cod tempura, eel and shiso leaf rolls, and vegetable tempura. The tempura was creamy, and the fried eel had a unique sweetness compared to the grilled version. 6. Main course included salmon mixed rice topped with salmon roe, soup, and pickles. The dish was flavorful with plenty of salmon roe, and the rice was cooked with a generous amount of salmon, creating a delicious flavor. 7. Dessert was an apple jelly, refreshing and light. Overall, the meal was worth the price, offering a satisfying dining experience in a lovely atmosphere. Thank you to the staff for a wonderful time!

I visited this restaurant after a long time because I saw a review that caught my attention. This place has always been a special spot for occasional special invitations or luxurious lunches. They even have etiquette classes with traditional sliding doors, making it a reliable and charming old establishment. However, this time was a bit disappointing. The food, although well-prepared, seemed to have a strong flavor overall. The service was not up to par, with one staff member tarnishing the reputation that has been built up over the years. I don't expect excessive service, just normal service is fine. I think anyone who visits will notice the issues without me going into specifics. It's a restaurant with a certain level of formality that you might want to visit occasionally for special occasions, so perhaps consider going incognito.

I met someone at an izakaya where I went alone before, and when we chatted, I heard that they are involved in the cooking here. So, I wanted to visit for lunch. The first choice was crowded with a 30-minute wait. Another place came up, so I decided to check it out. The restaurant had a luxurious atmosphere, with private rooms that have a view of the garden. I peeked into the adjacent room to see the garden, and got scolded by a middle-aged female staff member. We all ordered the "hyotan bento" for 1600 yen, which included simmered dishes, shrimp tempura, stuffed tomatoes, grilled fish, octopus with wasabi, and pickled daikon. Overall, the flavors were quite strong, like a funeral catering bento. That person didn't seem too excited about it. There were some misunderstandings during ordering, and the staff's responses when I asked for confirmation, as well as when I requested half the amount of rice, were not satisfactory. The note was left on a shelf in the hallway. It made me realize the importance of customer service. I don't think I can afford to come back for dinner here, but even for lunch, it's not worth a revisit.

Behind the main branch of Asahikawa Shinkin Bank, there is a beautiful shop with a fancy curtain that I always found a bit intimidating, but maybe it's okay for lunch, right? I peeked at the small menu on the storefront. Oh, the Hyotan Bento for 1,600 yen including tax is probably the recommended lunch, but they also have Tai Kabuto and Ara-jiru for 1,100 yen including tax. Tai for lunch sounds good to me! I passed through the curtain and opened the door from the high threshold entrance. Oh, inside they have an automatic door! I entered the restaurant and saw a white wooden counter in a corner. It seems like the chef is a young person, preparing ingredients for lunch. The atmosphere is nice, especially with the garden view through the glass. I ordered the Tai set and chose a hot coffee for after the meal. The Tai seems to be warming in the kitchen behind the counter. While waiting, many ladies came in and were guided upstairs, creating a lively atmosphere without disturbing the calmness of the back. The set arrived on a large tray, with salmon sashimi and kazunoko. The miso soup was delicious, and the side dish was interesting, maybe burdock? The sashimi was tasty, and the Tai was flavorful. I carefully enjoyed the head of the Tai, creating a clean bone pile. The meal was a bit too much for me, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The quiet atmosphere at the counter and the snowy garden view made me feel calm. I might not be able to afford the dinner menu, but I will definitely come back for lunch. Thank you for the meal.

The food was delicious and the service was excellent. I highly recommend this restaurant.

I visited the restaurant for lunch. The interior of the restaurant has a view of the garden, with cherry blossoms decorating the entrance, and beautiful pottery and tea sets displayed on the shelves. It is very clean and beautiful inside! This restaurant is also listed in the Michelin Guide! In addition to the counter, there are three private rooms on the first floor and five private rooms on the second floor. In the evening, you can enjoy course meals or à la carte dishes with alcohol. For lunch, they offer affordable set meals and bento boxes. This time, I ordered the hyotan bento for 1,600 yen (tax included). It is a three-tiered bento box shaped like a gourd. Opening the lid is exciting! The first tier has rice sprinkled with yukari seasoning. The second tier has sashimi (tuna, salmon, sweet shrimp). The third tier includes shrimp tempura wrapped in shiso leaves, scallops, grilled fish marinated in miso, simmered vegetables, and tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelette) arranged beautifully. A small side dish of daikon kinpira was also included. The dishes are relatively lightly seasoned with an elegant flavor. Coffee is served after the meal (hot or iced). I would like to try their evening course next time! This is a restaurant with a beautiful interior, elegant dishes, and I would love to visit again according to the season!

Today, I went to "Kataoka" for the first time in years. I had heard about it before, both in private and at etiquette classes. I remember having the lunch menu, including "Tai no Kabuto-ni," and it was delicious. The atmosphere was luxurious, so I felt grateful for the invitation. I didn't feel nervous or pressured, so I could enjoy the experience. It may sound extravagant, but let's appreciate it. (I want to eat ramen...)

The other day, I went with two of my subordinates and the bill was about 26,000 yen. [Personal thoughts] The restaurant has private rooms and is very clean. It's a great place for dates or business entertaining. The food is also good and it feels like they put effort into it. It's a lovely place that can lift a woman's spirits. I would definitely come back for that alone. However, if I had to pay for it myself, I might not come back. For this price, I would rather go to another sushi restaurant. The reason is that the wine glasses are too small (laughs). As someone who loves alcohol, I found myself ordering drinks constantly because the glasses were so small (about half the size of a typical glass at an izakaya). The staff seemed a bit childish, which took away from the atmosphere of an adult-oriented restaurant. They made mistakes with drink orders and were slow. Maybe I should just find it cute that they are like children (laughs).

I wanted to eat something delicious, so I went to Kataoka-san, a restaurant my mother had been interested in. I ordered the Ladies Course for 4000 yen. The tuna sashimi (comparable to medium fatty tuna from outside Hokkaido) was delicious. After taking a bite of the grilled fish, my aunt, who had lost her husband (who loved fishing), murmured, "It's the first time I've had such delicious fish since my husband passed away." Everything was delicious. However, since none of us could drink alcohol, the strong flavors of dishes like white fish kasuzuke and red snapper simmered in broth with burdock continued, so we asked for some white rice in the middle. The rice was also amazing, so I recommend that those who don't drink alcohol opt for the 3500 yen rice-centered course and add rice early on. The restaurant was fully booked on the day we visited, perhaps due to a summer festival. Despite this, it was a quiet and elegant place where we couldn't hear any noise around us. Besides the counter, it seems like there are private rooms, so I definitely want to visit again for a family gathering.