Kazusaya

A steady stream of diners parts the noren curtains here for trays laden with maguro butsu—chunky, rough-cut pieces of raw tuna. Located in Sumida Ward's Mukojima district, Kazusaya is a long-established Japanese eatery that greets guests with the distinct retro atmosphere of the Showa era.

Hearty Lunch Sets and Rice Bowls

Come lunchtime, many patrons order the substantial maguro butsu set meal. Generous heaps of tender, thick-sliced lean tuna make it easy to finish bowl after bowl of steamed rice. The midday menu also features a varied lineup of other set meals, including marinated tuna over rice with fragrant sesame oil, ginger-sautéed tuna, and crisp, deep-fried horse mackerel.

Evening Small Plates and Drinks

After dusk, the ambiance shifts into an izakaya setting, showcasing drinking snacks such as a three-variety sashimi platter, flathead tempura, and hefty jumbo yakitori skewers. In addition to draft beer and authentic shochu, the drinks list includes hot sake and winter-ready hirezake (sake infused with grilled fish fin), inviting guests to sit back and sip at their own pace amid friendly, unpretentious hospitality.

An Unpretentious Space with a Spacious Banquet Room

Beyond the cozy table seating on the 1 floor, the 2 floor houses an expansive tatami banquet hall well-suited for groups and gatherings. Whether stopping in for a casual lunch or sharing an evening drink with friends, guests can rely on the same downtown warmth and honest cooking.