Furarito: Asahikawa’s Drinking and Dining Alley

Furarito, a former vegetable market in downtown Asahikawa, has morphed into a late-night drinking and dining alley. Its tight confines, wooden signboards, and hanging lanterns make it feel a product of a forgotten era, but these also imbue the alley with a lively and charming vibe. A plethora of small restaurants line either side of the walkway, serving various forms of classic Japanese cuisine. You’ll find izakaya (gastro pubs), ramen shops, sushi restaurants, yakitori (grilled chicken) joints, and liquor stores specializing in nihonsu (rice wine, often called sake).