Tonariha-Jinja is an izakaya located next to "Kotoni Shrine" in Sapporo, as its name suggests. Though it highlights kamameshi (rice cooked in an iron pot), everything on the menu is a delight.
I’ve been intrigued by both the name and the menu, so when I had the chance to attend a concert nearby, I went with a friend for a dinner. We indulged in delicious food and drinks.
In this first volume, I’ll share from the toast to the small plates we enjoyed.
The budget in the title is for one person, reflecting a very indulgent meal. We left completely stuffed!
Kicking Off with a Sake Toast
Their all-you-can-drink option, which includes sake, costs ¥2990. You can drink anything on the sake menu, and when I looked through it, I noticed premium sakes were listed. Curious, I asked, "Is this really included?" and they confirmed, "Yes, everything is included." So of course, I went for it.
Here’s the premium sake we had that night, priced at ¥1200. Wow, is this for real?
It had a fruity, rounded flavor—soft yet with a refreshing aftertaste. Absolutely delicious. Wow, really!?
From the Otōshi to the Small Plates, Everything is Amazing
The otōshi (appetizer) was sliced herring sashimi! As someone from a landlocked prefecture, it was my first time having raw herring. It was so good!!
Fish in regions near the sea always tastes great. There are even varieties that don’t get widely distributed because they spoil quickly, so being able to enjoy such local delicacies is a real treat.
This towering potato salad with iburigakko (smoked pickled daikon) and herring roe was a joy! I was thrilled with the large chunks of roe, and the smoky flavor of the iburigakko was wonderful. The fried onions added not only texture but also a layer of umami. Fantastic.
The broth-infused eggplant was unbelievably tasty! The generous katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) added a chewy texture and a burst of umami. The eggplant soaked up the broth, creating the perfect bite. Amazing.
The server asked, "Would you like it rare or well-done?" No hesitation—I chose rare.
Mix the egg yolk, sauce, and garnishes together, and dig in. The flavor of the beef was intense and delicious!
One of the most surprising dishes of the night was this ebi mayo (shrimp with mayonnaise). The menu descriptions were minimal, so I had no idea what to expect.
The batter was light and crispy, while the shrimp were tender and fluffy. I get it now—this is the dish for "kind-hearted" people. Delicious! (By the way, "Kind-hearted" is the name of the company.)
The steamed dumplings were more substantial than expected—there were about eight large dumplings in the dish. But oh, they were so good, and the broth they were cooked in was rich with flavor.
I believe the condiment was yuzu pepper, though I was happily tipsy by that point, so apologies if I’m mistaken. I do clearly remember the flavorful broth and the refreshing hint from the condiment. Truly delicious.
Located Four Minutes from Kotoni Station, Next to the Shrine
Tonariha-Jinja is a four-minute walk from Kotoni Station. Just head toward Kotoni Shrine, and you’ll find the izakaya next door. It’s also just a ten-minute walk from "Sapporo Penny Lane 24," the concert venue we attended that night.
Since the shrine is right next door, you could even fit in a visit before or after your meal, depending on the time of day.
Everything we ate was incredible. In Vol. 2, I’ll introduce their kamameshi, a dish also popular during lunchtime!
