In a secluded area of Araki Town, there is a unique restaurant where you can enjoy various types of Japanese sake in a stylish Italian atmosphere. The combination of Japanese sake and Italian cuisine is unusual, and about 80% of the customers were women. It takes a bit of time for the dishes to come out, and I wished there were more options for pairing sake with food, but it's a great place for a quick drink.

From Shinjuku Street (National Route 20), turn onto Karakurimon Street and go a little further. It's the area where there used to be a traditional black-fenced restaurant, although it has been demolished now. Do any of you remember the old German restaurant that used to be there? They used to serve one glass of wine, three glasses of sake, and three dishes for a total of 6,963 yen. The meal started with a barrel of sparkling wine, which was suitable as an aperitif. The sake selection included unfamiliar brands like "Hitonatsu no Koi" and "Nichinichi." The first glass was a yogurt sake, strong on the yogurt flavor but weak on the alcohol. The second was "Ippogi," a refreshing sake that packs a punch. The third was "Koikuma," a doburoku that wasn't too sweet. The appetizer was a plate of three pintxos: cream cheese, fried chicken, and Quattro Formaggi. The cheese and pepper combination in the Quattro Formaggi was a standout. The concept of enjoying Italian food with Japanese sake was interesting, but personally, I feel that wine might be a better match. The staff even saw us off until we turned the corner of the alley, which was a nice touch.

1. Taste ◯ 2. Atmosphere ◯ 3. Value for money ◯ 4. Others ===========