Just a few train stops from major tourist spots like Tokyo Station, Asakusa, and Akihabara—and about 30 minutes from Haneda Airport via the Toei Asakusa Line—Asakusabashi is a traditional downtown neighborhood with great accessibility.
Amid a row of small, locally run shops with a laid-back atmosphere, one spot that has been gaining a strong reputation among sake enthusiasts is “KAMOSU.”
Interior of KAMOSU
Located just across the Sumida River from Asakusa—famous for its fireworks festival—Asakusabashi is a hub for craftsmanship, lined with specialty shops and wholesalers offering leather goods, accessories, toys, and craft supplies.
Unlike the bustling tourist spots nearby, it retains a strong sense of old Tokyo’s traditional downtown charm.
Right outside the west exit of Asakusabashi Station, you’ll find KAMOSU, a casual spot where you can enjoy seasonal sake and creative Japanese dishes.
Walls covered in sake labels
A crowd-pleaser classic: the first dish you must order
Every dish at KAMOSU is designed to pair perfectly with sake. One staple you’ll definitely want to start with is their signature “KAMOSU Potato Salad.”
Atop a bed of smooth mashed potatoes sits a soy-marinated soft-boiled egg. The dish is further layered with their house-made soy-based filling and crispy fried onions, delivering rich umami and a variety of textures in every bite.
“醸スポテトサラダ,” KAMOSU Potato Salad 605 JPY (tax included)
Another must-try is the “Assorted Sashimi,” which lets you enjoy the freshest seasonal seafood.
This platter typically includes 4 to 5 varieties of sashimi, with the selection changing daily based on what’s available. It’s available as a single serving, making it easy to order even if you’re dining alone—another thoughtful touch.
During our visit, the lineup featured four types: fresh and springy octopus; rich and fatty salmon, delicately flavored isaki (chicken grunt — a light, summer white-fleshed fish), and subtly sweet sawara (Spanish mackerel).
“刺身盛合,” Assorted Sashimi (one serving) 980 JPY (tax included)
In Japanese izakaya (gastropubs) culture, it’s common to finish a meal with a rice or noodle dish.
At Kamosu, a popular choice for this final dish is the “Grilled Red Sea Bream Rice Ball.”
The rice, cooked in a rich broth made from high-quality red sea bream, is shaped into an onigiri and grilled to a fragrant crisp. It’s about the size of a bowl of rice and leaves you feeling perfectly satisfied.
“真鯛の炊き込み焼きおにぎり,” Grilled Red Sea Bream Rice Ball 495 JPY (tax included)
Discover Unique Pairings of Sake and Global Cuisine
KAMOSU offers a rotating selection of around 30 kinds of sake at any given time. The lineup includes everything from seasonal varieties and popular labels to rare finds known only to true connoisseurs.
The range of flavors is diverse—fruity and aromatic types, rich umami-forward brews that showcase the flavor of rice, well-balanced varieties with both sweetness and tartness, and full-bodied aged sakes.
Even if you’re not a sake expert, simply sharing your flavor preferences or what you’re eating will help the staff recommend the perfect glass for you.
Most of the lineup changes within about a week, so it’s no surprise the bar sees many regulars who drop by multiple times a week.
Sake is available from 550 JPY per serving (tax included)
Surprisingly, the owner-chef of KAMOSU recommends pairing sake not with traditional Japanese cuisine, but with unexpected international dishes.
One example is the pairing of their signature “Homemade Sausage made with Hidaka Yongen Kamui Pork” and the sake “Ōsakazuki Macho.”
This sausage is made Salsiccia-style with herb-seasoned brand-name pork known for its rich fat and well-balanced lean meat. It’s bold in flavor, making it a great match for the robust and dry “Osakazuki Macho” sake. Together, they deliciously bring out other’s qualities and bring out even more juiciness in the sausage.
“日高四元神威豚 自家製ソーセージ』,” Homemade Sausage made with Hidaka Yongen Kamui Pork 825 JPY (tax included)
Other non-Japanese dishes on offer include “Salt-Kōji Chicken Confit,” and “Mapo Tofu” spiced with Chinese seasonings. With such a wide variety, it’s the perfect opportunity to try some unexpected sake pairings.
You can choose your preferred ochoko (sake cup) when ordering sake
Enjoy classic summer appetizers with seasonal sake
One of the biggest draws of KAMOSU is being able to enjoy dishes that reflect the seasons, paired with sake.
During the summer, tempura is one of the top recommended dishes.
Sweet corn is a classic summer vegetable in Japan, and the “Sweet Corn Tempura”—which highlights the juicy texture and natural sweetness of the kernels—is a beloved dish enjoyed by all ages.
Another seasonal highlight is Ayu Tempura, made with ayu (sweetfish), a river fish that represents summer in Japan. Its slightly bitter flavor pairs perfectly with the light, crisp texture of the tempura batter.
(left) “とうもろこしの天ぷら,” Sweet Corn Tempura 700 JPY (tax included) (right) “鮎の天ぷら,” Ayu Tempura 600 JPY (tax included)
In Japan, there’s a tradition of eating nutritious eel during the hot summer months to boost stamina.
A classic eel dish is “Umaki,” which features grilled eel rolled inside a fluffy Japanese omelet.
While tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet) is typically eaten with soy sauce, this version is served with a sweet house-made sauce. Just bite in and enjoy how the rich dashi broth seeps out from the soft omelet.
“鰻巻き,” Umaki 820 JPY (tax included)
Another popular choice in summer—when appetites tend to wane—is the refreshing “Summer Vegetables Steeped in Dashi.”
This light dish features grilled seasonal vegetables such as eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, and myoga (a type of Japanese ginger), all soaked in a chilled dashi broth. It’s known for its crisp texture and clean, refreshing flavor.
The selection of vegetables may vary depending on the day’s market availability.
“夏野菜の出汁浸し,” Summer Vegetables Steeped in Dashi 640 JPY (tax included)
There are also types of sake made especially for summer, known as sōshu, or refreshing sake.
These varieties are characterized by a light, crisp flavor. Many are lower in alcohol or slightly sparkling, making them incredibly refreshing when served chilled on a hot day.
They pair perfectly with the light and delicate flavors of summer dishes.
Sharing seasonal sake and dishes with locals in the nostalgic atmosphere of Asakusabashi offers a glimpse into the authentic side of Japanese food culture.
Why not spend a special evening at KAMOSU, where you can quietly slip into everyday life in Japan?
Information
| Store name | 日本酒バル 醸ス 浅草橋 KAMOSU |
|---|---|
| Address | Morita Building 2F, 1-13-8 Asakusabashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Asakusabashi Station Short walk from Asakusabashi Station West Exit
Akihabara Station（AKB） 12-minute walk from Akihabara Station Showa-dori Exit
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| Phone number | 03-5829-8107 |
| Reservations | Accepted Tabelog |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | Service charge (including otōshi) 550 JPY (tax included) |
| Hours | Mon-Fri. 17:00～23:00 Sat. 17:00-22:00 |
| Closed | Sunday & nat’l holidays |
| Seating | 36 seats 9 counter seats, 27 table seats |
| Smoking | Separate smoking areas A separate smoking area only for e-cigarette use is available |
| Official website | https://www.instagram.com/kamosusake/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of August 2025.
