Tosaka

Set along the lively street fronting Kyoto Tower, Tosaka occupies the 4th floor of an unassuming station-side building, offering an expansive menu that goes well beyond standard tachinomi (standing bar) fare. Around the counter and high round tables, patrons gather in an easygoing, unpretentious setting that welcomes both solo drinkers and groups stopping in after work.

The cooking begins with classic Japanese drinking fare, from a daily chef's selection of three or five sashimi varieties to fresh nama-yuba (raw tofu skin). Alongside these, Western-leaning bites share the spotlight: rich chicken liver pâté well-suited to white wine, fragrant truffle-salted fries, and pizzas ranging from a classic Margherita to a soft-boiled egg Bismarck. Guests can also build their own pasta dish by choosing between oil, tomato, or cream bases and adding ingredients like oysters, mussels, or local Kujo scallions, offering the rare pleasure of finishing a standing-bar session with a substantial hot plate.

Drinks are equally diverse, featuring a rotating selection of sake chosen straight from the display fridge, draft beer, wine, and quirky chuhai options like cardamom spice or goldfish-style sours. Open from late afternoon until late at night, the bar is as handy for a quick drink near Kyoto Station as it is for lingering over Western-accented small plates.