Isegen is a neighborhood pub where the local boozers hang out after work. I came here at a Sunday afternoon. After a quick peek through the door I briefly considered to keep moving...., but it started raining...., and I had no umbrella.....

It was about 30 min after opening, the joint was almost full and some of the customers were already well primed. Upon entering, the noisy place immediately became quiet and everybody glanced in my direction (I guess I was the first Martian they ever saw). After I got myself a seat at the counter and ordered a beer, conversation slowly restarted (relief, the Martian speaks Japanese). My neighbors at the counter were drinking ハイボール (shōchū highball) (300 Yen), in front of them no food but the otōshi, which at Isegen is 12 peanuts on a plate. This was all they where eating for the next hour.

The master behind the counter is a one-man show, preparing and serving drinks and food, entertaining the guests besides being the cashier. I ordered たこさしみ (octopus sashimi) (300 Yen) and instantly regretted it, because I saw the guy slicing the octopus on the same cutting board he had cut up some raw chicken the minute before. What could make things even worse, is that he is seemingly not accustomed to wash his hands, even after touching money. Concerned with the food hygiene, I found myself resorting to ordering something cooked. The 鳥の唐揚げ (Tori no kara-age / fried chicken nuggets) (300Yen) tasted quite ok and the はらみ (grilled pork diaphragm) (360 Yen) was also edible.

The interior of Isegen is ungarnished. A signboard at the wall says: “To our guests. We have had complaints from the neighborhood. Please do your business in the toilet before you leave. The management”

Next time I go for an Izakaya stroll , I would take an umbrella with me.

Since 1964. 3 min walk from Keisei-line Yahiro station. L-shaped counter, capacity of about 15 persons.

Beer (633ml bottle): 500 Yen

Photographs on this page taken with permission of owner and guests.