Shinjuku City, Tokyo, Japan｜Kagurazaka Kado

Located in a reformed old house, this place has a great traditional Japanese atmosphere. The food is typical "washoku" (simply meaning "Japanese food") to be had for a reasonable price. Like so many places in this neighborhood, lunch is a very good value. The small "standing" bar area is an after-hours favorite as well, staying open until around 2 am most nights. They even sell the employee t-shirts if you want a unique souvenir to remember your visit (a bit pricey at 3000 yen last I checked).

I had trouble finding the place. Not that the place is hidden or anything, but the signage showing the name "Kado" was easy to overlook, and I kept walking by the place that fit the description (an old Japanese house converted to be a restaurant), thinking it was some other business. Once I got in, all was good: the food (multiple plates of bite-size food brought serially in a typical Japanese fashion), the atmosphere (wood pillars, beams) and good sake selections.

Completely outstanding original and delicious Japanese food and excellent service!