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Japanese
Akiyoshi
Savor the scents of roasted meat (so good it sticks to your clothes) at the Tonami branch of this popular chain. Cheap, tasty yakitori just across from the station, with picture menus. Look for the big red lantern sign. Opens at 7PM.
Asondeya
Directly across from the Tonami Station. This is actually a chain without the chain-like atmosphere. Pretty traditional Japanese food in a bit of a modern Japanese place. Prices can be a bit expensive and menu is all in Japanese, but it’s worth trying. The staff is really young and cool, and the nice back room is great for large parties. Sometimes they have a seating charge of about 500-1000 yen, but sometimes they don't. You should probably ask, especially if you are just visiting for a drink at their bar. You can reserve the back room for parties of up to 25 people and they have vegetarian options available.
Jin Jin Curry (Taroumaru, Tonami)
Great Japanese curry. Reasonable prices, good selection of meat and vegetable curries. All Japanese style. Located on the back side of an office building at the same intersection as the Nichima Hotel.
Jyu-e-mon
By far the best izakaya in Tonami – they have a really extensive menu and special seasonal/daily menus. The master is really nice and will give you free stuff if you go often enough! Private rooms upstairs if you want to have a bigger gathering. Come out of Tonami station and turn right. Cross the road and walk down for a couple of minutes – you’ll see it on your left. Closed Sundays (unless it’s before a National Holiday)
Kito-Kito Sushi (Taroumaru, Tonami)
Excellent kaiten (revolving) sushi restaurant. Prices range from 110yen per plate to 1000yen. Beers are very inexpensive. Note that peak times are very busy, and you may have to wait, but if you get there a bit early, the conveyor belt will be full of goodies. Also has pre-made take-out sushi available and a variety of delicious ice cream flavours. On the main strip, off the 156, in the APITA parking lot across from UniQlo.
Megumi Sushi
Almost the same as Kito-Kito. Can be good at times but according to some ALTs, has declined in quality recently due to new ownership. Still worth checking out for yourself. Really easy to spot, on the 156, opposite turning for APITA.
Pekopuruta
Yakiniku place with a Korean flavor. You can grill your own beef, pork, or chicken right at the table. Try the bibimbap (mixed rice, vegetables, egg and beef cooked in a stone bowl)it’s great! They have set menus or a la carte. It’s down the street from Apita on the same side as Kito-Kito Sushi. Look for the sign of a cartoon tiger holding a drum.
Yataimura
One place, many choices! Yataimura is by Tonami Station, across from the Taxi place. Look for a big red lantern. Okonomiyaki (our fave), sushi, Italian, tempura, yakiniku, yakitori, oden, etc! There are about 6 counters- all different small restaurants- you can usually order at one or two and mix and match your Japanese entrée. And of course, there is plenty of beer, chu-hi, and sake to go around.
Yotchan
Closed Mondays.
Getting too skinny? Pack on the pounds (or the kilos, as the case may be) at this little grill near the station just on the main lantern-lined road. The perpetually-genki Yotchan serves up delicious okonomiyaki, yakisoba, and yakiniku, with sexual harassment (and sometimes Cokes and tea) for free! Yotchan's is an all-time JET favorite, and the owner, his wife, and the kid they're fattening up for sumo love chatting with us. Try the pizza okonomiyaki, complete with pepperoni, tomato sauce, and mayonnaise!