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A traditional Japanese bar hidden away in the city with a charming building with a story

  • July 24, 2025


Old-style bars, with their tasteful architecture and the owner's particular attention to detail, are places where time flows slowly. If you visit a bar tucked away in a back alley or residential area, you can spend a relaxing time.

[Shops introduced in this article]

Kitasenju Fuji

"I wanted to create a special space for people who make the effort to come here, so I opened the shop a little away from the downtown area," says the shop owner, Mr. Takezaki. The shop is in a two-story old house in a residential area near the east exit of Kita-Senju Station. The house was once a popular plastic model shop, and he says, "I made some modifications to make it fit in with the modern world while preserving as much of its original feel as possible."

The star of this restaurant is the kitchen, located in the middle of the store. The fragrant smell of charcoal grilling fills the air, and you can enjoy the live feeling of watching the food being prepared. The a la carte dishes are mainly creative dishes based on Japanese and Chinese cuisine. They have a playful and original touch, such as cold sautéed pork with green peppers. They casually incorporate local ingredients such as Senju green onions and tofu from a nearby tofu shop, and the dishes they use are old ones from the Edo, Meiji, and Taisho periods, showing their attention to detail.

A modern sensibility blends nicely into the good old atmosphere. This is a hideaway in Kitasenju where you can spend a slightly more luxurious night than usual.

[Senju Fujimori 1,980 yen]
The specialty six-kind appetizer platter. The contents change from time to time, but on this day, clockwise from the right in the front, there was cold sautéed pork with green peppers, isobe burrata cheese, drunken shrimp, coriander, green onion tofu, Chinese jellyfish lemon, and in the center, saliva-dripping chicken.
[Sesame Amberjack 980 yen]
The fish is fresh, as it is sourced from the nearby Adachi Market. This is a Fukuoka specialty, made of fatty amberjack coated in sesame soy sauce, and is a great snack to go with both sake and shochu. The antique tableware used in the restaurant matches the old-style Japanese home.
"We have a variety of seasonal snacks ready for you," says owner Taro Takezaki.

[Exterior / Interior]

  • The building's sand walls and antique pillars have been left intact, while the central ceiling has been removed to create a bold open space all the way up to the second floor.
  • It's also great sense to have kept the name of the original plastic model shop intact.

【Shop information】

■Kitasenju Fuji
Business hours: 16:00-23:00 (last order 22:30)
Closed: Not fixed
Seats: 40 seats
Address: Ishii Store B, 7-28 Senju Asahi-cho, Adachi-ku
Reservation: Enabled
Take-out: Impossible
Barrier-free support: None
Wi-Fi: None
Access: 5-min. walk from JR Joban Line and others Kita-Senju Station East Exit
HP:https://kitasenjufuji.owst.jp/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kitasenju_fuji

Senjyu-yado Gen

It's a 10-minute walk from Kita-Senju Station through a residential area. As the Arakawa River comes into view, Senjyuku Gen appears in the residential area. The owner, Mr. Homma, has a free-spirited sensibility and has traveled all over the world. He wanted to create a warm and open place like the guesthouses he stayed in during his travels. With that in mind, he renovated his grandfather's house into a guesthouse and izakaya.

The first floor is an izakaya that anyone can drop in to, not just guests. In the cozy space, artwork collected by Homma's father, an architect, lines the walls, creating a unique and artistic atmosphere.

The food lineup is also quite varied. There's stewed offal, Spanish food, and sometimes tacos; the multinational variety is a big attraction. Another fun thing is that the menu changes with the seasons. It's also fun to sit at the counter and chat about your travels with Mr. Homma while drinking.

[Motsu stew 600 yen]
The most recommended dish is their proud stewed offal. It is a mild-tasting dish made by simmering beef offal with carrots, burdock, konjac, and other ingredients in miso and salt koji. It is finished off with a topping of green onions and black pepper for a punchy finish.
[Duck loin ham 800 yen]
Our homemade duck loin ham is drizzled in olive oil and topped with a tapenade sauce made from chopped olives. A Western-style flavor that will make you crave red wine.
The owner, Homma Seigen, honed his culinary skills in Spanish cuisine and other fields.

[Exterior / Interior]

  • The interior of the store, which was renovated from the owner's grandfather's house, is filled with art pieces from the owner's father's collection.
  • The shop, located in a residential area, is marked by a navy blue shop curtain and a row of sake bottles outside.


【Shop information】

■Senjuyado Gen
Business hours: 17:00 - 22:00 (last orders for food 21:00, drinks 21:30)
Closed: Sundays
Seats: 17 seats
Address: 6-3 Hinodecho, Adachi-ku
Reservation: Enabled
Take-out: Impossible
Barrier-free support: None
Wi-Fi: Enabled
Access: 10-min. walk from JR Joban Line and others Kita-Senju Station East Exit
HP:https://senjuyado-gen.com/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/senjuyado_gen/

Back Alley Kuku

A quaint two-story building tucked away in an alley. The building was renovated and opened as "Rojiura Kyuku." Apparently a famous manzai comedian once lived here. "I've heard that the Rakugo master Tatekawa Danshi has also come here," says the owner, Mr. Hisamatsu.

The shop is proud of its menu, which is centered around fresh sashimi, which goes perfectly with carefully selected sake. In the relaxing atmosphere of an izakaya, what catches your eye are the authentic French pastries lined up in front of the store.

That's because the owner's wife, Mai, is a professional pastry chef who trained in France. "We are an izakaya, but people often tell us that their satisfaction increases dramatically when they finish their meal with a delicious cake," says Mai. This shop is unique in that it offers the pleasure of finishing off your drink with a sweet treat.

[Assorted sashimi 1,870 yen]
An assortment of seasonal fish, such as bonito, octopus, and tuna, is served according to the number of people. The photo shows a small portion for 1-2 people. The fish is selected from both Toyosu Market and Adachi Market, and is caught on the day.
[Opera, Framboise, 680 yen each]
In addition to the classic opera, they also offer cakes using seasonal fruits. They are not too sweet, and have an adult taste with western liquor. They also sell cakes during business hours. You can also order whole cakes by reservation.
From the right, chef and owner Naoto Hisamatsu and pastry chef Mai. Behind them is a stylish alcove on the second floor with a Van Gogh painting as wallpaper.

[Exterior / Interior]]

  • After taking off your shoes, you'll find a counter with bench seats on the first floor, and table seats on the second floor.
  • Hidden in a narrow alley, the black walls and lattice doors create an airy atmosphere. Wisteria vines hang over the building, hiding it from view.

【Shop information】

■Back Alley Hisakyu
Business hours: 11:30-14:00 (last orders 13:30), 17:30-23:00 (last orders 22:00)
Closed: Mondays and irregular holidays
Seats: 35 seats
Address: 3-35-13 Senju, Adachi-ku
Reservation: Enabled
Take-out: Yes (cake only)
Barrier-free support: None
Wi-Fi: None
Access: 3-min. walk from JR Joban Line and others Kita-Senju Station West Exit
HP:https://rojiurakuku.sakura.ne.jp/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/rojiura.kuku/

(This information is current as of June 30, 2025)

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