Toritama

A red lantern at a cheap shack under the train tracks may be what Tokyoites associate with yakitori but Toritama gives this something of a twist.

Toritama's original shop in Shirokane may be cozy, and it be located under a highway, but otherwise it couldn't be further from a typical “red lantern."

Called kakurega, or secluded, Toritama gives you an excuse to wander the posh Gaien Nishi-dori -- a.k.a. Platinum Street due it's resemblance to Milan -- in Shirokanedai.

According to Tokyofoodcast.com writer Etsuko Nakamura, “Toritama offers good nihonshu to go with every edible part of the chicken, including its tasty heart.”