Kawayoshi

One of the signature sights from the grill is salt-grilled beltfish, where smaller cuts are carefully braided before cooking—a display of meticulous preparation that immediately catches the eye. Tucked into an alleyway in Futako-Tamagawa, Kawayoshi is an independent izakaya where diners can settle in for a quiet drink alongside fish dishes crafted with just that kind of measured care.

Seafood drives the daily menu, reflecting the day's market catch. Alongside assorted sashimi platters, individual sashimi selections include bonito, red sea bream, and flying fish from Chiba, while red-spotted grouper sourced from Sado can be enjoyed grilled over charcoal. Nibbling on unpretentious small plates like chilled tofu or a crisp radish salad while waiting for a main dish to grill slowly sets the relaxed cadence of a meal here.

For drinks, cold beer is a natural starting point, though aromatic hirezake—hot sake steeped with toasted fish fins—offers an inviting alternative with its rich, savory scent. The counter and table seating provide a calm environment where solo diners can feel just as at home as small parties, and the evening rounds off comfortably with toasted grilled rice balls or a warm bowl of ochazuke.