Ohsawa

Tucked into an alley just off the main streets of Hongo, Ohsawa is a neighborhood Japanese dining spot that draws diners specifically for its fish. Though compact, with a simple arrangement of counter and table seating, it regularly attracts queues of local office workers and university students on weekday lunchtimes.

Lunch sets from fresh sashimi to simmered fish

The main draw at lunchtime is the selection of set meals built around seasonal catches. Depending on the day's market arrivals, the blackboard and storefront display feature sashimi sets highlighting sea bream, amberjack, or flounder, alongside carefully simmered fish sets, aromatic grilled fish, and rotating daily fried or meat options. Each meal includes deeply flavored ara-jiru fish-broth soup or miso soup and freshly cooked rice with free refills, offering dependable daytime sustenance.

Evenings settled over seasonal seafood and drinks

At night, Ohsawa leans fully into its izakaya identity. The sashimi selection includes sea bream, flounder, amberjack, and Shizuoka Atlantic salmon, served alongside skilled hot dishes such as salt-grilled striped jack collar or simmered clam and daikon radish infused with clam broth. Thoughtful small plates round out the menu, from white fish nanbanzuke and steeped fuki to simmered wakame seaweed with bamboo shoots. With draft Asahi Jukusen and a selection of local sake on hand, it makes an inviting spot whether dropping by solo at the counter or settling in with companions.