Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi, Japan｜お食事処 居酒屋 小麦

Walked a journey into this restaurant. Although the proprietor don't speak much English, she manage to take our orders well and even catered to our special order for a Mapo tofu with no rice. The meal blew our mind, the Conger Eel and Ebi Tempura is fresh and marries the batter well with the seafood. The Hotou of the Sea is rich in Umami and the chilli condiment adds even more to it. The Mapo tofu turns out to be a hit as well, it's spiciness isn't as strong but makes it up in the aroma, bringing the oily flavor down and makes you want to go with a bowl of rice with it. Overall fantastic meal and friendly service.

Came across this place by chance when walking by. So glad I decided to go in. Absolutely delicious. There are a range of meals and prices. I had the teppanyaki set meal for 1040 yen. So, so tasty. The staff were lovely and I really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere.

Tl;Dr A really laid back old style izakaya, with almost perfect meal sets that leave you warm and toasty even with the Yamanashi winter at its frostiest. Highly recommended. Dropped by with a few friends after freezing our balls off at the nearby pagoda tourist spot. Was an awesome decision in hindsight. The proprietess doesn't speak English but has a well laid out English menu. We ordered the sea houtou, roast beef don, gyutan set, conger eel + ebi tempura set, and a bowl of mapo tofu don sans the rice (much to the proprietess's confusion). I'm not sure I actually got gyutan, and the roast beef was a touch bland, but otherwise the meal was filling, warming and perfectly matched, with what was probably the best ebi tempura I've ever eaten. I swear they added magic to the batter. Did I mention the atmosphere? It was like we were transported to 60s Japan, with comfy enka playing in the background. It was a perfect match for the dinner, and we had a great time. They forgot our tea though... but then so did we.