Shishin Samurai Cafe & Bar & Restaurant

“Touristy but Not”

This place was a little shop in a residential area, but it was still busy. And even though this place is seemingly a tourist trap with its samurai theme and traditional styled building, there were still a good amount of locals there. 

The first thing you notice is that most of the workers speak a little English (some more than others) and there is an English menu, so if you are worried about the language barrier, no worries.

When you leave the small waiting area and enter the eating area, like tradition Japanese style, you must take off your shoes. In the middle of the eating room there is a traditional style fireplace/ cooking area. It wasn’t being used, but it was still cool to see. In traditional Japanese houses, the cooking area was in the middle of the room, so that it would not only be easy to access, but it also would heat the room.

When I went there, there seemed to be a drinking party with coworkers. They were all, seemingly, between 35 and 50 years old, and they were all wearing suits (even the women there). And, of course, there were also other foreigners, but because of the set-up of the tables, everyone could easily keep to themselves. All the tables are also in the traditional Japanese style; in that they are close to the ground, and you sit on a thin cushion on the floor.