Tete Okiraku Sakaba

A natural place to begin an evening at Tete Okiraku Sakaba in Nogata is with a sashimi platter showcasing the day's market catch. The omakase platters come in 3- and 5-variety selections of fresh fish, letting diners appreciate clean, concentrated flavor alongside a glass of sake. Bottles sourced from across Japan are poured in 160 cc increments, including Tokujiro from Kyoto, Masumi from Nagano, and Ugo no Tsuki from Hiroshima.

Beyond seafood, yakitori skewers like negima (chicken and scallion), neck meat, liver, and gizzard are available affordably starting from 1 skewer. The kitchen also turns out classic small plates to keep the table going, including dashi rolled omelette, simmered pork offal, and the house Okiraku potato salad. Drinks range from mellow nigori plum liqueur to grated-lemon sours to suit different tastes.

For a comforting finish, fragrant grilled onigiri or traditional rice balls go well with a bowl of miso soup loaded with scallions and fresh nori. The space provides both counter and table seating, accommodating solo drinks as easily as small group gatherings. With reservations accepted, it makes a relaxed neighborhood choice for enjoying seasonal flavors from its 17:00 opening.