I had dinner at the izakaya “Higashi no Koji,” an 8-minute walk from Nasushiobara Station. “Stir-fried liver and garlic chives” & “chicken mince with warm egg over rice” were so good!!

“Higashi no Koji,” a casual izakaya located an 8-minute walk from the west exit of Nasushiobara Station.

The shop’s name apparently comes from the owner, Koji, opening his shop in Higashinasu, so that there’s no connection to the celebrity.

After seeing my friend off at Nasushiobara Station, it was just about dinner time, so I stopped by.

Basic infomation on the izakaya

• Name: Higashinasu Public Bar Higashi no Koji
• 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
  • Monday~Thurday: 17:30-23:00 (L.O. 22:00)
  • Friday~Saturday: 17:30-24:00 (L.O. 23:00)
• Regular Holiday
  • Sundays
  • The second Monday in a month
• Phone Number: 080-5502-5029
• Official Website/SNS
  (Instagram) https://www.instagram.com/dongnokouzi2/

Review of my actual experience visiting

The interior is a bit dimly lit, but that creates a sophisticated atmosphere.

The food selection included salads, appetizers, grilled dishes, fried items, and rice dishes.

The drink menu seemed to cover the basics: beer, highballs, sours, fruit liqueurs, shochu, cocktails, local sake from Tochigi, and soft drinks.

Ordered Menu and Price

Since it was the main meal for dinner, I limited myself to beer for drinks.

• Otoshi (500 JPY)*
• Medium draft beer (730 JPY)
• Stir-fried liver and garlic chives (900 JPY)
• Chicken mince with warm egg over rice (770 JPY)

*Otoshi is a small appetizer that automatically comes with your table at an izakaya. It’s like a cover charge that comes with food.

Otoshi

The otoshi was hiyayakko—chilled tofu, which is a classic Japanese cold tofu dish.

The tofu was rich and silky, topped with savory bonito flakes and sticky okra.

Simple but so good that it definitely made me want another drink.

Stir-fried liver and garlic chives

It was a beef liver and chive stir-fry.

The liver was lightly fried first, so the outside was crispy and savory while the inside stayed juicy and tender—no dryness at all.

It had very little of that strong “liver” smell, making it surprisingly easy to eat.

The chives were nicely softened, the bean sprouts still had a good crunch, and the overall balance was spot on.

Everything was coated in a sweet-savory sauce that really brought out the richness of the liver and the freshness of the vegetables.

This is the kind of dish that instantly makes you want a bowl of white rice.

Super satisfying and perfect for a hearty meal.

Chicken mince with warm egg over rice

The rice was beautifully topped with minced meat, a warm egg, green onions, aonori*, and white sesame seeds.

Just looking at it, you can tell it’s a perfect combination.

Once you break the soft-boiled egg, the runny yolk melts into the minced meat and rice, instantly making the whole bowl rich and creamy.

The aroma of green onions, plus the flavors of aonori and white sesame, add nice depth and balance in every bite.

It’s not flashy, but it’s comforting and easy to love—I finished it before I knew it.

I ordered it as my main dish, but it would also work really well as a satisfying side that supports the main course.

*Aonori is a type of dried green seaweed flakes used in Japanese cooking. It has a fresh, slightly ocean-like aroma and adds a savory, umami boost when sprinkled on dishes like rice, noodles, or eggs.

The atmosphere inside

Although it’s just a curtain, it effectively divides the space.

The seat I was shown to was not a sunken kotatsu table.

The staff was kind and attentive.

However, since there’s no call bell, you may need to raise your voice a bit when trying to get their attention.

It was busy due to the banquet season, and even after calling several times to place additional orders, there was no response…

That was disappointing.

Features & Usability of Higashi no Koji

Here’s a quick look at the dining scenes and facilities at Higashi no Koji.

Recommended for different occasions

With a full range of dishes and drinks available, you can enjoy yourself whether dining alone or with others.

I cannot confirm if the restaurant accommodates large banquets or similar events, so please check directly with the establishment.

Facilities

• Wi-Fi & Power supply: N/A
• Smoking: Smoke-free restaurant
• Payment method: Cash only

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.

Summary｜Who I recommend Higashi no Koji for

• People staying at business hotels near Nasushiobara Station
• People who want to eat dishes featuring Tochigi’s local sake and Tochigi Wagyu beef

👉 When you come to Nasushiobara Station for business trips or other reasons, be sure to visit Higashi no Koji!