Mizuho

Unwrapping the fragrant bamboo husk of the anago chimaki releases a warm plume of steam along with the rich, sweet-savory aroma of simmered conger eel. Tucked into a side street in Sumida's Honjo district, the Japanese restaurant 四季の味 みず穂 favors earnest, solid craftsmanship over flashy presentation to accompany an evening of drinks. The menu features deeply comforting fare, including a specialty house-made sesame tofu prepared with painstaking care and fluffy shrimp shinjo dumplings.

An ideal way to settle in is ordering a progression of small plates alongside drinks, starting with fresh bluefin tuna sashimi, broth-soaked agedashi tofu, and gently sweetened tamagoyaki rolled omelet. Crisp fried fugu karaage, savory semi-dried squid (ika ichiyaboshi), and miso-glazed round eggplant dengaku offer ample variety to assemble a hearty spread for the evening. To drink, standard beer is available alongside regional Nagano sakes such as 「一滴二滴」 and 「縁」, providing a clean counterpoint to the food.

Open for dinner service from 17:00, the dining room offers counter seats and raised koagari seating for a calm, unhurried meal. It works just as comfortably for solo diners stopping by for a few plates as it does for those reserving in advance for a leisurely dinner. Because the restaurant accepts cash only, plan to bring cash before arriving.