You can count on a friendly welcome at this small izakaya, which specialises in the 'seven delicacies' from Shinji-ko and is a good place to try some local sake or homemade umeshu (plum wine). The owner's daughter speaks English. Look for the bamboo-roofed menu display outside. Weekends get busy so book ahead.
Kawa-kyō
Top choice in Western Honshū