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Other things worth a mention in Tonami Region
Aoi Sora Karaoke bar: (Hanyu 56) - Oyabe
Truly one of the best karaoke bars in the ken! Run by the ever-lovable Eddie san, who loves foreigners and gives excellent discounts accordingly! This karaoke bar is perched on the top of a hill above the Hanyu district. All the rooms look out across the Ken, it’s amazing!!! Its about 1500 yen an hour on a Fri /Saturday night. Open ‘till 1am weekends, a taxi costs 1000 yen from Isurugi station! HIGHLY Recommended: 0766- 68-3200
Someday's – Fukuno
One of the best places in the Tonami region. It's a shrine to Americana, rock music, and anything good and pure in this world. Identifiable by a large mural of 1950's Hollywood icons outside, this place comes complete with banged-up license plates, authentic 1970’s rock memorabilia, and Guinness (reportedly) on tap. The owner Koji speaks great English and is known to pick a tune on guitar. He also has a huge selection of classic rock on vinyl and CD. Good fries, sandwiches, and bar snack platters. Often has live music on Saturdays – maybe you can even hear some of our local ALT talent perform. From Fukuno station, take the second left (first traffic lights) and keep walking. Go across one intersection, and it's on the right-hand side.
Marimo Ramen – Fukuno
This place serves awesome Sapporo-style ramen (salt, miso, soya varieties) and gyoza. It comes in a big bowl and is perfect when you have that craving for salty noodly deliciousness. Recommended by ALTs and locals alike. Affordable too! From A-Mieux, follow the road leading towards Tonami until you see it on your right. Or just ask the resident Fukuno ALT to show you!
Suisho – Fukuno
A small, new Japanese-style restaurant right by the station. Its specialty is a crispy fried fish called ‘genge’. Also serves good sashimi and other types of cooked fish. The chef is really friendly and likes talking to foreigners.
Hanagyuu – Fukuno
Probably the best yakiniku place in the Tonami area. Also right by the station, close to Suisho. Can get a bit pricy if you order high-quality beef rather than pork or vegetable platters, but its a succulent taste that’s worth indulging in. Newly built, it has a stylish atmosphere and those sunken tatami floors so you can sit comfortably while you eat. Also serves beer by the pitcher. Gets busy on weekends.
Cafe de Verdure and Le Hameau Vert - Fukumitsu
Bon appétit! Two classy additions to the Tonami region; Cafe de Verdure is the more reasonably priced of the two. French food is on le menu, but of course, and we've heard raves about the gelato and rolls. Cafe de Verdure is open 10am-6pm, and is located off the 304 on the way to Kanazawa. Le Hameau Vert is open for lunch and dinner.
Kanon-machi – Fukumitsu
The Mecca of drinking holes, restaurants, and other shady places in Fukumitsu. There are all kinds of bars, and restaurants for you to try out. The definitive Fukumitsu experience. Go straight out of the station, over the bridge and take your first right at the bridge’s end. Follow the lanterns along the river until you get there. You'll know it when you see it.
Nakanishi – Fukumitsu
Best Izakaya food in Fukumitsu. ‘Nuff said. Oh, and the master will entertain you with magic tricks as well. Come out of the station, go straight, turn left at the first traffic lights and it’s on your right hand side after about 20 seconds.
Taco-Hatchi (Octopus 8) – Fukumitsu
A real Mom-and-Pop (well, Mom-and-Son) operation tucked away in a line of shops next to the town office on the main road (just near the station). A tiny but friendly place serving delicious okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and the all-time-favorite, yakiudon. In winter, ask what's in the crock pot: the stewed daikon with ginger is a real treat (but beware the cow intestines they sometimes serve!) Mom will remember what you like, and Son's good for defending your honor against drunken skebes.... A great place. Closed several days each month.
Ichi-ban dori (一番道り) - Fukumitsu
Decent Izakaya food but well worth a visit for the double-act that work there. Master and his side-kick (or Bert and Ernie as I prefer to call them) will force beer on you whilst treating you to stories of their more outrageous sexual exploits (and perhaps showing you the videos), and coming on to you badly. With all that AND the chu-hi challenge (drink all the flavours and get your photo on the wall of infamy!), what more could you want in a bar?? Leave Fukumitsu station and walk up the street in front of you. You’ll spot the sign (in kanji) on your right, and also a little electronic sign with a man with beer.
Little Half Pint – Johana
The cakes and decor of this log cabin are equally (and perhaps sickeningly) sweet; the name comes from Laura Ingalls Wilder's nickname in Little House on the Prairie. Good teas, cocoas, and jams also for sale, or you can enjoy them on Beatrix Potter china right in the shop. Located off the main road in Johana, you can't miss the log cabin and flowers outside.
Sakade – Taira
Famous for serving udon, soba, and the flesh of murdered bears! (Only the noodles are recommended.) From the only traffic lights in Gokayama, continue straight from the Rt. 304 onto a tiny road, heading towards the elementary school. It's a little place on your right. Open 10am-5pm.
Iwana – Kamitaira
A great restaurant if you're looking for authentic Gokayama cuisine. Their iwana, or river fish, is served fresh and they offer a great variety of mountain vegetables in the summer. They also have some western-style foods including pizza and fried chicken. It's in Sasarakan, which is a strip-mall-like building across the street from the entrance to Takanbo Ski Resort. It's on the 156 in the area of Nishiakao.
Restaurants in Toga
There are a few nice Japanese restaurants worth visiting in Toga. One is called “Toga, Toga” and serves a variety of different Japanese dishes with good service. Another is Kappa-Tei which serves great fish and other dishes. There is also a great restaurant in the Toga onsen which offers ski/hotel/onsen/dinner package deals in the wintertime. As for directions, if you’re all the way up in Toga you’re probably visiting a resident, so get them to take you there.