Tokyo, Japan – Izakayas, the Japanese equivalent of Western pub houses, are a staple in Tokyo, providing late-night snacks and relatively cheap drinks in one of the most expensive cities in the world. As someone with very limited Japanese skills, it also offered a sure way of getting a tasty snack and a cold beer to combat the humid Tokyo summers. This one, tucked away in the alleyways of Shibuya, offered traditional Japanese takoyaki (deep fried octopus covered in onion flakes and seasoning), good music & ambiance, and a cheerful smile.