Kazuhiko Ota takes a daytime stroll through the good old townscapes and old temples in the countryside.

At night, he visits carefully selected "quality izakayas" that are rooted in the local area to show you the owner's special dishes and fine sake!

We also introduce the Ota way of sake drinking and give you the lowdown on cups and utensils.

Walking through the curtain of an izakaya at dusk and slowly enjoying a selection of sake and snacks...

A few words with the owner or the hostess. The restaurant you enter on a whim becomes the most memorable part of your trip.

The restaurant makes you think: "Ah... I want to go to such an izakaya"