Kawachiya
With an exterior resembling a ryokan, Kawachiya boasts a tasteful interior and beautiful courtyard. In addition to the eel dishes they are proud to share, this refined ryotei of venerable standing offers carp and river fish cuisine.
The eel is grilled back and forth and topped with their special sauce—the balance of sweetness and saltiness is just right. Before I knew it, I’d finished the whole thing…
Shibamata Haikara Yokocho and Toy Museum
Get off at Keisei Shibamata Station and face the main walk leading to Taishakuten temple to find a building with an extra special flair. This former “dagashi” or retro sweets shop in Katsushika-ku was turned into Shibamata Haikara Yokocho & Toy Museum in 2004, by its owner who specializes in children’s candy and toys.
I stopped by while passing through. The retro, nostalgic vibe brought back so many childhood memories. The entrance fee for the second floor isn't expensive, and you can try out air gun shooting games and play on those almost-extinct pinball tables.
Yamamoto-tei
Yamamoto-tei is a stately residence blending modern Japanese architecture and a pure Japanese garden. While the residence is a classic modern Japanese house, its formal Japanese drawing room (Zashiki) draws inspiration from traditional styles of architecture, such as Shoin-zukuri or Sukiya-zukuri.
Order a cold drink and some Japanese sweets, then just sit quietly and enjoy the beautiful view of the garden from the tatami room. It really makes you feel like everything in the world is wonderful.