DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
DEEPTOKYO
magazine
EN
2025.06.10
A unique tavern in Nakameguro where food, drinks, and culture come together
Nearest Station
"Rutsubo" is a cozy izakaya tucked away in a quiet residential area of Nakameguro. It offers creative Japanese dishes that pair perfectly with natural wine and craft beer. The space attracts a wide variety of people, from local regulars to artists. Popular menu items include pork cutlet sandwiches with homemade sauce and sardine rolled in seaweed. To top it off, fresh soba noodles imported from Aizu, Fukushima, are popular. With its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, it's an easygoing place even for solo diners.
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Inside "Rutsubo," the warmth of wood blends seamlessly with the clean, sharp texture of stainless steel, creating a minimalist interior. The space is centered around a counter and incorporates the Japanese "kaku-uchi" standing bar style, making it accessible and casual for everyone. The shop's logo is inspired by a traditional sumo wrestler ranking chart (banzuke), combining a sense of "wa" (Japanese aesthetics) with a modern, playful touch.
The wood-and-steel interior offers a casual, standing-bar atmosphere where conversations with staff and regulars naturally emerge.
A hand-crafted oil drum placed outside serves as the shop's landmark.
“I wanted to create a space where people of all ages and backgrounds could mingle naturally,” says owner Nishimura. In line with that vision, "Rutsubo" brings together locals and people from diverse creative fields like music, fashion, and art. One notable highlight is a collaboration with tattoo artist TAPPEI. To mark the opening of the shop, Nishimura—born in the Year of the Tiger—teamed up with TAPPEI to create an original T-shirt themed around "tiger and wine," symbolizing good fortune and prosperity.
Owner Nishimura and TAPPEI, who met through the fashion industry, are longtime friends. They created a special "tiger and wine" T-shirt to commemorate the opening of "Rutsubo."
The collaborative T-shirt is available in limited quantities at the shop. Sizes: M/L/XL. ¥5,500 (tax included).
Owner Nishimura carefully selects over 50 kinds of natural wine from Japan and abroad based on a simple principle: “What do I want to drink right now?” He sources bottles from wine shops across Japan and from importers specializing in natural wines. “I don’t focus on countries or regions. What matters is whether the wine can be enjoyed casually,” he explains. The selection is light, approachable, and perfect even for those new to wine.
The shelves are stocked with over 50 kinds of natural wine.
These natural wines have a clear, elegant hue and a perfect balance of fruitiness and acidity, making them ideal with Japanese cuisine.
The eye-catching labels add to the appeal of the craft beers. From left: “We Octave” from Mangosteen Brewing Lab (Hokuto, Yamanashi), “Submarine Forest” with its woodland aroma, and a bitter West Coast-style IPA from Pacific Brewing.
Nishimura trained at the well-known Japanese restaurant "Nakamura," forming the foundation of his solid cooking skills. He adds a playful touch to traditional Japanese flavors, creating dishes that go surprisingly well with natural wine. Alongside pork cutlet sandwiches and pickled sardine rolls, the most popular final dish is the handmade soba noodles from a noodle maker in Aizu, Fukushima. It’s the perfect way to end the night.
Trained in Japanese cuisine, Nishimura combines tradition with creativity. At the counter, you can watch his skillful preparation and plating up close.
“Chuka Soba” is a perfect dish to finish with its gentle “dashi（soup stock）” and subtle “homemade soy sauce”. The tender and flavorful “charsiu pork, carefully prepared to match the broth, is a must-try. ¥1,300
The “Pickled Sardine Seaweed Roll” combines pickled ginger, shiso, cucumber, and yellowtail into a refreshing seafood roll. Its balance of acidity and umami pairs wonderfully with craft beer. ¥1,200
The “Pork Cutlet Sandwich” features a rich, house-blended Worcestershire-style sauce and a dab of spicy Japanese mustard. The contrast between the crisp pork cutlet and soft bread goes surprisingly well with natural wine. ¥1,500
The information contained this article was correct as of 06/10/2025 (the time of publication)
