There are Izakaya that don't even need a signboard, because the fans will find them with their eyes closed......      Musashiya !  What a heavenly place !

Like many other genuine Izakaya, Musashiya was originally a liquor shop, (founded in 1919), which then became an Izakaya after worldwar II. Located about 10 min walk from JR Saguragicho station in Yokohamas Noge district, Musashiya is an inconspicuous old wooden house, with neither a signboard nor noren curtain in front of the entrance doors.  The interior, all simple and pure showa style, consists of a small counter, 2 tables and a  小上がり (koagari / raised tatami seating area), capacity of about 25 persons. On arrival the guests are asked whether they go for beer or sake, after that all is in the hands of the friendly staff. The food comes one after another to your table, no need to order. The simple dishes never change: たまねぎの酢漬け (tamanegi no suzuke / vinegard onions) and 卯の花 (u-no-hana / okara=soy pulp  cooked with soy sauce, mirin, carrots, burdock root and shītake mushrooms ) are served together with the first glass of sake, filled up to the rim from an old kettle by the smiling and attentive Mrs. Kimura, 87 years old and genki. Grandma Kimura runs the place together with her younger sister (age unknown to the author)  who prepares the dishes behind the counter.

Later comes タラ豆腐 (tara dōfu / warm tofu with a chunk of cod fish, topped with shirasu / baby sardines). Time for a sake refill. Next dish served is  納豆 (Nattō / fermented soy beans mixed with scallions and egg yolk). The final is お新香 (oshinkō / pickles). One last sake refill. No more. That's why this place is also called 三杯屋 (sanbai-ya / lit. "3 glasses shop", only 3 glasses of sake are allowed), presumably this is also what the clay puppet standing on the counter beside the old sake heater wants to tell you with its three fingers raised. (The puppet was once a present from a customer, modeled after the late Mr. Kimura, founder of Musashiya and father of the Kimura sisters).

For the thirsty fellow it is recommeded to order a bottle of beer in the beginning, it comes together with dryed salted beans and will fortunately not be deducted from your 3 glass allowance. And for you hungry ones there is a small 裏メニュー (hidden menu), you have to ask whats available that day. The にしん漬け (nishinzuke / marinated herring) (400 Yen), topped with a few grains of fresh 山椒 (sanshou / Japanese green pepper), was quite nice.

The price for the menu set (3 glasses of sake and the 5 small dishes), is 2200 Yen. Very reasonable.

Last not least, the eco-friendlyness of Musashiya has to be praised, instead of disposable chopsticks they use lacquered ones.  Izakayasanpo proudly awards the ECO-Izakaya® mark, together with one additional rating point.

Beer (633ml bottle): 700 Yen