I enjoyed Tochigi and Akita country cuisine & Japanese sake at the izakaya “Sakedokoro Takahashi,” an 8-minute walk from Nasushiobara Station.
“Sakkedokoro Takahashi” is an izakaya located an 8-minute walk from the west exit of Nasushiobara Station.
Run by an owner from Akita, this is a restaurant specializing in country-style dishes and grilled fish.
I visited the izakaya “Higashi no Koji,” I noticed another izakaya next door with a red lantern lit up, and it piqued my curiosity.
Later, after finishing some errands near the station, I made my way straight to “Sakedokoro Takahashi” too.
- Basic info about the izakaya
- Ordered menu and prices
- What the inside of the izakaya looks like
- My impressions of the dishes
Basic infomation on the izakaya
- Name: Sakedokoro Takahashi
- Category: Izakaya
- Address: 1-6-14 Oharama-nishi, Nasushiobara-shi, Tochigi-ken
- Access: 8-minute walk from the west exit of Station Nasushiobara
- Business Hours: 17:30~25:00（L.O. 24:30）
- Regular Holiday: Sunday (may also be closed on Monday during three-day weekends)
- Phone Number: 070-5621-6192
- Official Website/SNS
Review of my actual experience visiting
It’s a small izakaya with counter seating only.
I managed to get in just as the previous customers were leaving, when it was empty.
Ordered Menu and Price
This time, I ordered mainly Akita cuisine and Japanese sake.
- Otoshi（500 JPY）
- Three Types of Japanese Sake Tasting（1,300 JPY）
- Yokote Yakisoba（1,200 JPY）
- Draft beer（750 JPY）
- Shishamo（600 JPY）
- Kiritanpo Nabe（700 JPY）
Otoshi
Otoshi is like a cover charge that comes with food at an izakaya.
It’s a small appetizer that automatically comes with your table.
But this izakaya operates on a system where I choose one item from the country-style dishes menu.
I chose a “Satoimo no Kiwami.”
Satoimo means Japanese taro.
The boiled satoimo is peeled and eaten with ginger soy sauce.
The fluffy yet creamy texture of the satoimo pairs perfectly with the refreshing kick of the ginger soy sauce—simple, but seriously delicious.
日本酒の3種呑みくらべ
I could select three brands of sake from the options listed on the chalkboard menu.
I selected next 3 brands.
- Daina Junmai Daiginjo*
- Dainagawa Tenka Tokubetsu Junmai** Karakuchi
- Chokaisan Junmai Ginjo***
*“Junmai Daiginjo” means sake with 50% or less rice remaining (over 50% polished) and no distilled alcohol added.
**“Junmai” means sake with more than 60% rice remaining and no distilled alcohol added.
***“Junmai Ginjo” means sake with 60% or less rice remaining (over 40% polished) and no distilled alcohol added.
Daina
Fruity aroma & acidity.
The acidity was gentle, and the finish was refreshing.
Dainagawa Tenka
It’s dry, but the aftertaste had a subtle fruity sweetness.
Even though it’s dry, it felt completely different from “Daina.”
Chokaisan
It started off mild, then turned spicy in my mouth.
It was an interesting sensation.
Yokote Yakisoba
Thick, chewy straight noodles were coated really well in a sweet sauce.
A soft-cooked fried egg sat right on top, and once I broke the yolk and mix it into the noodles, it added a rich, creamy depth.
Combined with the sweetness of the sauce, the whole dish turned extra mellow and super satisfying.
The ingredients were simply ground pork and cabbage.
The sweetness of the cabbage paired perfectly with the sauce, making it easy to keep eating without getting tired of it.
The crunchy texture and refreshing taste of the accompanying fukujinzuke* provided a nice accent, refreshing my palate midway through.
It was a satisfying dish, perfect both as a snack with drinks and as a substantial meal.
*“Fukujinzuke” is a Japanese pickled relish made with chopped daikon radish, flavored with soy sauce and a bit of sweetness. It’s commonly served as a side for Japanese curry.
Shishamo
The skin is crisp and fragrant, while the meat was plump and tender.
It was delicious as is, but adding mayonnaise & shichimi pepper gives it a whole new flavor.
The side dish is broccoli sprouts!
Was this meant to replace grated daikon radish?
Their subtle spiciness and freshness cleansed the palate.
The vibrant green also added a splash of color to the brown tones of the grilled fish, showing the owner’s thoughtful touch.
Kiritanpo Nabe
The kiritanpo* had soaked up plenty of dashi, making it extra chewy, and with every bite, the gentle umami slowly spreaded.
The soup was a beautiful golden color, combining the richness of chicken with a light, comforting broth from the vegetables.
It’s not flashy, but it’s deeply satisfying and so comforting that I couldn’t help taking sip after sip.
- The aroma of shungiku
- The flavor of burdock root
- The scent of maitake
Combining these ingredients took the whole hot pot to the next level!
It was the perfect bowl for a cold day, warming me from the inside out.
*“Kiritanpo” is a traditional Japanese food from Akita. It’s made by mashing cooked rice, shaping it into a cylinder around a skewer, and grilling it until lightly toasted. It’s often served in hot soups or hot pots.
The atmosphere inside
The shop had only counter seating, with about 8 to 9 seats.
I didn’t think there are 10 seats.
It felt like a sophisticated hideaway with a calm atmosphere.
The owner was in his late thirties and provided attentive service.
The shop owner is originally from Akita, but has been living in Nasushiobara for nearly ten years now.
It was very pleasant spending time chatting about the local area and Akita.
Features & Usability of Sakedokoro Takahashi
Here’s a quick look at the dining scenes and facilities at Sakedokoro Takahashi.
Recommended for different occasions
With only counter seating and limited space, it’s perfect for solo diners or small groups.
They don’t offer all-you-can-drink options, so it’s not suited for banquets or large gatherings.
I think it’s the ideal spot for anyone wanting to relax and enjoy a meal or drink alone.
They also posts about their newly acquired sake selections on Instagram, so if you enjoy drinking, checking their posts before stopping by is a good idea.
Facilities
- Wi-Fi & Power supply: N/A
- Smoking: E-cigarettes only permitted (use outdoor smoking areas for regular cigarettes)
- Payment method: Cash only
- Restroom: Outside the izakaya
Access & map
Go out the west exit of Nasushiobara Station and turn left.
Go down the stairs, turn right, and proceed straight to the crosswalk.
After crossing the crosswalk, continue straight ahead on the sidewalk.
Do not cross at the next crosswalk; turn left instead.
After driving straight for about 3 minutes, you’ll see the sign for Higashi Koji on your left.
Right next to “Higashi no Koji,” where a red lantern glows, is “Sakedokoro Takahashi.”
Summary｜Who I recommend Sakedokoro Takahashi for
- People who want to enjoy country-style cuisine
- People who want to drink alone (or in small groups)
- People who love Japanese sake
👉 If you’re looking for a cozy izakaya near Nasushiobara Station, I recommend Sakedokoro Takahashi!
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