Kanoya

In the lively streets of Ueno, Kanoya offers an easygoing spot to drop in for a drink before noon. Open continuously from 11:00 every day, it fits smoothly into shopping breaks, weekend daytime pub crawls, or evening get-togethers after work.

The signature kushikatsu deep-fried skewers are coated in a light, crisp batter that keeps them from feeling greasy, making it easy to order round after round. Grazing on freshly fried skewers alongside a cold beer or a whisky highball is quintessential casual tavern fare.

Beyond fried skewers, seafood sourced directly from Toyosu Market features prominently. Fresh sashimi selections like lean tuna akami, medium-fatty chutoro, and chunky boiled octopus sit alongside refreshing bites like seared tuna with scallion-salt sauce and whitebait Japanese salad. Guests can also order grilled chicken yakitori and pork yakiton by the skewer from 1 pieces upward or as platters, seasoned with either salt or tare sauce, accompanied by tavern classics such as simmered beef offal stew and old-school fried yakisoba.

The bustling dining room suits groups enjoying a lively night out, but counter and table seating also make it convenient for a brisk solo drink. Note that payments are cash only, so it pays to have yen on hand before taking a seat.