i really love the shimokitizawa area. first one is right outside small bar owned by one guy near south side exit of odakyu line. he had 2 seats inside and a small table outside with a tiny pot of oden. i met a salaryman there drunk already who shared his table with us. unfortunately, i couldn't communicate much with him though i managed to tell him my name in chinese and write the characters out. next door was another small pub with 5-6 tables crooning karaoke via a small television on the shelf above the owner.

the second photo is from another small izakaya (pub) that formerly use to serve french/japanese food before switching to the current owners. my friend gen (on the left) has become so much of a regular that he brings a bottle of red wine for them every time he visit. there is only room for one table inside that seats 7-8 people so it promotes talking with complete strangers.