Chōchōya: The Neighborhood Pub You’ll Want to Drop By

Contrary to its chic exterior, this pub offers reasonable prices perfect for regular neighborhood visits. It bustles with a diverse crowd—regulars, families, and first-time visitors alike—illuminating the Nagarakuji Shopping Street at night.

Expensive!? Or so you might think…

Within walking distance of Rengeji Pond, with Renshoji Temple and Ogawa Kunio’s residence right in front, the building features a calm, black-toned exterior.

The interior also showcases antique items collected by the owner, used throughout the space, conveying his passion for the establishment.

もYou might wonder, “Isn’t this a bit pricey?” However, the owner’s desire for casual visits means there are no appetizer charges, and prices are reasonable.

Even so, the meals are meticulously prepared, with attention to detail evident throughout.

The menu, curated by the manager who honed his skills in Nagoya, showcases his unique style.

The signature stewed beef is made from scratch. The oden, deliberately crafted in a lighter Kansai style for balance amidst many rich dishes, features generously sized ingredients for great value.

Sweet and savory chicken wings, perfectly seasoned with pepper, are also available.

Miura tofu from the local Fujieda area is lightly drizzled with olive oil and served with rock salt.

The shrimp mayo has become exceptionally popular on the menu.

Its coating is distinctive, inspired by Dubai chocolate, wrapped in kadayif – a thin, noodle-like ingredient – and deep-fried.

Numerous thin layers of coating envelop the shrimp, creating a crispy, crunchy texture that’s addictive.

I was a bit nervous about the building and interior at first, but as I enjoyed my meal, it gradually became a comfortable space.

I forgot to try it this time, but their homemade pudding is also recommended as an after-dinner dessert.

The Origin of Chochoya　助宗食堂

The shop opened in August 2025.

Actually, Mr. Muramatsu, the owner of Sukemune Shokudo on the same street, was the key person in making Chochoya happen.

A regular customer who commuted to Sukemune Shokudo from Kakegawa City apparently approached Mr. Muramatsu, expressing a desire to open a restaurant.

Mr. Muramatsu had previously discussed with a local landlord about wanting a red lantern-style restaurant in the neighborhood. Additionally, his friend Mr. Ichikawa had mentioned wanting to run an izakaya someday. When the regular customer decided to become the owner, it all came together, leading to the establishment of this izakaya.

Incidentally, the origin of the shop’s name comes from combining the town symbol of the Chōrakuji district where the shop is located—a butterfly—with the fact that the vacant store they rented had originally been a lantern shop called “Matsuura Lanterns.” Thus, it was named “Chōchoya.”

The Kind-Hearted Former Band Member Manager

Mr. Ichikawa, a middle school classmate of the owner of Sukemune Shokudo, was entrusted with managing the restaurant.

After graduating high school, Mr. Ichikawa moved from Shizuoka to attend university in Tokyo. However, he struggled to focus on his studies and, after much deliberation, decided to “pursue what he truly wanted to do.” He relocated to Nagoya. He picked up the guitar and threw himself into band activities, but his real introduction to the food and beverage industry came when he started working at an izakaya to make ends meet.

He began as a part-timer, but before he knew it, he’d been standing behind the bar at the same place for over ten years and was entrusted with managing it.

It was then that his father was diagnosed with a terminal illness. This prompted him to put music on hold and decide to return to Fujieda. The feeling he always had whenever he visited home – “Fujieda really is a great place” – seemed to push him in that direction too.

He briefly took a sales job in the food industry, but something felt off every day.

“I always thought work was supposed to be enjoyable. When I was at that izakaya in Nagoya, I never once thought, ‘Ugh, I don’t want to go in…’”

Around that time, he started dropping by Sukemune Shokudo. He and Mr. Muramatsu discovered they had actually lived in Nagoya during the same period and shared experience in the food service industry. They talked about wanting to “revitalize the shopping district together someday” and how “it would be great to open an izakaya.” Those casual conversations gradually led to reality.

When the owner was decided and Ichikawa-san was approached, he decided to take on the challenge. “The owner agreed to invest, I’d seen my classmate working hard, and I thought I could help liven up Fujieda a bit more.”

In his personal life, twins were born the year before last, so both work and family are just beginning.

“It’s the kind of challenge that comes with starting something new, so I can definitely handle it,” he answered with a smile.

Though Ms. Ichikawa is often glued to the kitchen during business hours and rarely appears out front, she’d surely be delighted if you called out to her.