Caf� de Furukawa, Shōhei-cho 2360 (on a flagstone-paved side street linking two similar streets leading into the top tourist attractions, Ashikaga Gakkō and Bannaji Temple), tel. 0284-42-1151. Open Th-Tu (closed W and half-day Tu) 6:30 am to noon, 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Founded in 1975 and run by a middle-aged couple who roast their own beans and make their own blends, Furukawa caters to those who want to savor their coffee while reading, listening to classical music, or conversing softly in an elegant, library-like atmosphere. No smoking, cell-phones, laptops, or cameras. A cup of coffee costs about �600.
Cafe Furukawa in Ashikaga
Cafe Mocha, Ise-cho 3-chome, 9-9 (at the far-end, lefthand corner of the third block of Grand Avenue, which runs north from JR Ashikaga station). Open F-W (closed Th) 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. Founded in 1974 and run by a father and his two sons who roast their own beans and make their own blends ranging from soft to bitter, Mocha is family-friendly, conversation-friendly, and smoker-friendly. The background music is most likely to be jazz. A cup of coffee costs about �450.
Izakaya Shōhei (居酒屋昌平), Shōhei-cho 2364 (on the righthand side near the start of the flagstone-paved street leading into Bannaji), tel. 0284-41-4828. Open Th-Tu (closed W) 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. Specialty snacks include various udon, donburi, and curry dishes for �600-800, horse sashimi (ba-sashi) for �1200, and giant umeboshi for �100 each. The beer of choice is Sapporo and the cold sake is Akagi, at �500-800, depending on size.
Le Vent Vert, Tōri 3-chome (on the ground floor of the former Ashikaga Bank building that is now a city museum). Founded in 1995 but reopened in the new city museum in 2006. A cup of coffee costs about �500.
Yakitori-kun (やきとり君), Tōri 2-chome, Nakabashi-dōri (in the middle of the first block north of the Watarase River bridge called Nakabashi; the Tōbu Ashikagashi station complex lies at the opposite end of the bridge). Open daily 6:00 to 10:00 pm. A well-known hangout for neighborhood regulars throughout the week, and for English teachers and other foreigners on weekends and on Wednesdays when most other small eateries and drinking spots take their regular day off. In warmer weather, tables appear on the sidewalk in front of the small stand.
Yanagi-ya (柳店), Eiraku-cho 4-3 (on the right in the first block of Route 293 after it crosses main street running north through the heart of town), tel. 0284-41-2724. Open M-Sa (closed Su) 5:30 to 9:30 pm. This is a combination fresh seafood restaurant, izakaya, and sports bar, especially for fans of the Hanshin Tigers (and sumo). All the sake glasses, even those for Tiger sake, have the names of sumo wrestlers on them. The dishes are well presented and tasty, but there is no English or picture menu. Just ask for the day's specials (osusume) or point to the more reasonably priced items on the wall menu. Snacks range from �500 to �1200; glasses of Tiger or local sake are �500.
Heart and Roses, on tori ichi cohume 2689 (From the JR station head west two blocks on the main road. On your left next to the route inn). 9:00 P.M. until 2:00 A.M. Closed Sunday and on Holidays (except Golden Week). A relaxed, small bar great for having a chat. The atmosphere is rich and warm and the Bartender friendly and English capable. Prices range such that one can spend as much or as little as they like. Food menu varies depending on availability but is always good. Frequented by the local foreign English speakers on weekends for central location, pleasant atmosphere and lack of table charge.drinks from 500. Snacks from 300 to 700 yen. Meals from 600 to 1400 yen. �
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