Japan Guide
Northern Honshū
Eating
1 Anzu 1-44 Oyakata-machi 
0172/32-6684 Opposite the Asahi bowling alley, on a side street at the west end of Dotemachi, this cosy restaurant is named after an apricot. Evening shamisen concerts are hosted here according to demand – it's best to reserve.Price: Set meals range from ¥3000 to ¥5000 Opening time: Mon– Sat 5–11pm
2 Iso-zushi Wakaba Building, 11 Okeya-machi Tiny, above-average sushi bar. There's a straightforward choice of three set meals (¥1100, ¥1600 and ¥2000), though non-Japanese speakers may find the owner a little unhelpful. Price: Mon– Sat 6pm–4am
3 Kenta 3 Okeya-chō 0172/35-9614. Cheap and popular robatayaki eatery on the edge of the city's bar zone; prices for individual dishes start at ¥550. Fills up quickly on the weekends – if you can't get a seat here, there's another branch around the corner. Opening time: Daily 5pm–2am
4 Kikufuji 1-1 Sakamoto-chō. A clean, bright restaurant with a good range of Japanese food, including well-priced sets (from ¥850) for both lunch and dinner. Choose from their picture menu or window display. Opening time: Daily 11am–10pm
5 Live House Yamauta 2F, 1-2-7 Ōmachi 0172/36-1835 Well-known restaurant with inexpensive, izakaya-style food and live shamisen music most evenings. Reservations advised. Opening time: Daily 5–11pm
6 Manchan 36-6 Dotemachi 0172/35-4663 One of the oldest cafés in northern Honshū, with a pronounced apple theme – offerings include various delicious apple cakes, apple ice cream (around ¥800) and apple tea. Opening time: Daily 9/9.30am–8pm; closed first and third Thurs of month
7 Takasago 1-2 Oyakata-machi Inexpensive soba restaurant in an old wooden house southeast of the castle grounds. The limited menu includes tempura soba, zaru soba and curry soba. Price: Prices start at ¥650 Opening time: Tues– Sun 11am–6pm
8 Tea & Co Dotemachi. Relaxed coffee shop inside a store across the river from the Nakasan department store, with a great range of teas and coffees and some luscious home-made cakes. Opening time: Daily 10am–8pm