Hirasawa Kamaboko Oji

This hole-in-the-wall, standing-only eatery right by the train tracks at Oji Station teems with locals from as early as noon, attracting followers with oden from Hirasawa Kamaboko, an Akabane-based fish-cake specialist with half a century of history. The offerings, of which there can be up to 40 different kinds on some days, are on display right by the entrance, making them really hard to resist during the cold season. The taste might not be spectacular and the shop interior is badly in need of a facelift, but Hirasawa’s grub works just fine when combined with some locally-made nihonshu or a highball.