Shoku Kobo DOI: Shikoku Fish Izakaya on the Owner's Pottery

Shoku Kobo DOI (食工房 DOI) has been open since 2001 at the back of the second floor of the Emaru Building in Kawaramachi, Takamatsu. The owner, Junji Doi, is also a potter, and much of the food and sake arrives on tableware he made himself. The kitchen treats Shikoku produce, fish above all, with the care of a kappō counter. The setting is a quiet izakaya with jazz playing.

Nearly every review praises the sashimi platter. It usually includes local octopus, flame-seared sawara (Spanish mackerel) and nishigai, a sea snail reviewers compare to abalone. The dish most often called outstanding is satoimo karaage, fried taro in a thick dashi sauce, and one guest ordered it twice. Reviewers also name Awaodori chicken grilled with salt until the skin crackles, a dashimaki omelette with tiny dried fish, sakura-shrimp kakiage and shiso-wrapped beef. They describe the service as calm and attentive, with well-paced dishes.

Criticism is minor. The handwritten food menu carries no prices, which several guests found nerve-wracking. A few thought the sake list short, the salad plain and the lighting too dim for photos.

Dinner typically runs ¥4,000–5,000 per person, and one 2026 diner spent about ¥7,000 with drinks. Reviewers in 2023–2025 paid around ¥1,430 for a one-person sashimi platter, ¥880 for the satoimo karaage and ¥638–693 for a draft beer. Shōchū was ¥660 and local Kawatsuru sake ¥880. One solo bill for beer, sashimi and taro came to ¥2,948. Set courses are available, some with all-you-can-drink. There is no lunch service, as the restaurant opens only in the evening.

Reviewers consistently call it good value for kappō-level cooking. Those worried by the unpriced menu found the bill lower than they feared. Portions are modest, but the sashimi is generous.

• Getting there: about 7 minutes' walk from Kotoden Kawaramachi Station. The restaurant is on the 2nd floor of the building opposite Shoko Chukin Bank, on Route 11 between the Washington Hotel and the Royal Park Hotel. Manabe kimono shop is on the ground floor. Google Maps may route you to the rear of the building.
• Hours: Mon–Sat 17:00–23:00 (last order 22:30), closed Sunday.
• Booking: needed. The restaurant is often full, and some guests book more than a month ahead. Call 087-834-5688. One solo diner got in without a reservation, but do not count on it.
• Payment: VISA, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX and Diners are accepted. Electronic money and QR code payments are not accepted.
• Seating: tables only, no counter. There are no private rooms, but the whole restaurant can be hired for up to 20 people.
• Smoking: all seats are non-smoking. Heated tobacco (IQOS) is allowed only in a designated area.
• Parking: none.
• Menu: the food menu is handwritten in Japanese with no prices. Drinks are priced.