Located a little outside the busy center of Tokyo, near the Oyama Station, in Itabashi City, is Washokusakaba Mottai. A warm, inviting izakaya that serves traditional Japanese pub style food.  The chef and owner, known as Taz, is a one man show who creates simple, yet exquisite small “tapas” size dishes that all somehow pair nicely with their national alcoholic beverage, sake.  The menu changes frequently depending on the season and availability.  From the crisp seafood salad, to the surprisingly delightful, yet simple fried oysters and the chef’s refreshing, unique take on potato salad: it is apparent that every ingredient shines in each of his plates.  For first timers in Japan, it is the perfect restaurant to be introduced to this type of casual dining that leaves visitors yearning for more savory, comforting morsels of goodness. Check out the restaurant’s Instagram page to stay up to date.