Yama to

Just off the main avenue in Aoto, Yama to is a welcoming koryori izakaya run by a husband-and-wife team. The owner, an avid mountaineer, named the shop after his fondness for the Northern Alps; mountain photographs line the interior, setting a calm, grounded mood centered around the counter seats.

The cooking centers on fresh seasonal seafood, from assorted sashimi platters to carefully grilled fish. Beyond seafood, the menu features an appealing spread of drinking appetizers: regular favorites like natto omelets and tuna natto, fried fare such as squid tentacles and nagaimo yam, alongside simmered miso konjac and tender roast beef.

The drink lineup features an extensive selection of regional sake, notably from Yamagata Prefecture, with tasting flights that let diners sample different flavor profiles side by side. It is an ideal setting to settle in alone or as a party of two for dinner, pairing honest seasonal dishes with quiet pours.