Izakaya restaurants in Japan
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Tori Tori Tei
This chain of izakaya centred on Nagoya chicken is a great introduction to local cuisine, with boisterous, smoky atmosphere and lots of beer going around. The standard is tebasaki (fried chicken wings; ¥150 each); other plates include chikin namban furai (Namban-style fried chicken; ¥680), and daikon salad. Look for the sign with black lettering behind the Royal Park Inn Nagoya.
reviewed
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A
Tori Kizoku
The name means 'chicken nobility', but the prices at this casual yakitori (chicken cooked on skewers) are decidedly common. Look for the gaudy yellow and red sign and the number 280 (indicating that all skewers cost just ¥280).
reviewed
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Tenkin
One of the oldest izakaya in town, Tenkin is a box-shaped hall with wood trim that is marked by large golden characters. The menu is broad, but the recurring themes are winter warmers such as nabe (stew cooked in a cast-iron pot) as well as all manner of seafood – check out the tanks near the entrance to see what's fresh.
reviewed
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Pōcha Tatsuya
Just off McCrum-dōri, this hospitable izakaya serves delish local fare like kobushime-yawaraka-ni (steamed cuttlefish; ¥730) and sūchiki (vinegared pork with bitter melon; ¥630). From McCrum, go past the National store on your left. Look for the green latticework over the windows and a seahorse curled around the sign above the door.
reviewed
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B
Paikaji
No relation to Naha's Paikaji, this local favourite serves all the Okinawan and Yaeyama standards. Both the atmosphere and kitchen get top marks. Try the ikasumi chahan (squid ink fried rice; ¥650), the gōya-champurū (gōya stir-fry; ¥700) or the sashimi moriawase (sashimi assortment; ¥750/1300/1800 depending on size). There's no English sign or menu. Look for the traditional front, coral around the entryway and a red-and-white sign.
reviewed
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C
Orijin
This wonderful local izakaya located a minute from the station has the usual kushiyaki and tofu steak, plus original dishes like sardines rolled in yuba (tofu skin), or big-as-a-beer-can grilled daikon in miso sauce. Or go for broke with Hida beef (¥1575). Look for the bamboo poles out the front.
reviewed
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D
Nami Nami
This friendly counter bar has a retro vibe and an inventive menu. Local fish (honjitsu no sakana) and assorted delicacies, like quail eggs (uzura no tamago) and camembert (kamanbēru chīzu), are served yakitori style or breaded and fried. It's right next door to Ōizu Ryokan, with a yellow sign.
reviewed
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Marutora Ikka
This happy spot is festooned with an eclectic collection of Shōwa-period (1926–89) pop-culture memorabilia, where young Japanese come to hang out over a few rounds of beer and comfort food like bite-sized hitokuchi-gyōza (20 pieces for ¥750!). Look for the dark wooden street frontage and staircase leading upstairs.
reviewed
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E
Maru
A relaxed and modern young people's izakaya, Maru features the local beef, kenran-gyū (見蘭牛), available as sashimi (¥850), sushi (¥1000) or garlic steak (¥650). It also serves all the usual izakaya favourites. Try the Hagi no kuramoto udedameshi setto (¥1000) for a tasting set from six local sake breweries. Look for the large wooden door marked with a circle.
reviewed
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F
Kyōya
This relaxing, atmospheric traditional eatery specialises in Hida regional dishes such as hoba-miso (Hida beef served on magnolia leaf, ¥1800). Seating is on tatami mats around long charcoal grills and under a cathedral ceiling supported by dark timbers. Look for the sacks of rice over the door; it's located by a picturesque canal near the Kusakabe Mingeikan.
reviewed
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Koyume
This tiny izakaya serves a variety of food and sake, and is a good place to rub shoulders with the locals. There are a few counter seats and some tatami mat seating. It's on the small street behind Jizo-yu and Yanagi-yu. There is no English sign, so find it by looking for the script listed here.
reviewed
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G
Kome no Kura
This black-walled quietly chic izakaya, with cosy private booths and hori-kotatsu (well in the floor for your feet) seating, has a whole menu of Kumamoto specialities in addition to more standard fare. Tsukune (ground chicken) is served pressed around a bamboo pole. Look for 'dynamic kitchen' on its sign.
reviewed
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Kawa-kyō
You can count on a friendly welcome at this izakaya-style restaurant, which specialises in the 'seven delicacies' from Shinji-ko. Look for the white sign with black lettering and the bamboo-roofed menu display outside.
reviewed
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H
Hozumi-tei
This formal izakaya has been serving up local food for over 70 years. The menu is all in Japanese, but if you say the words 'Kyōdo ryōri' (郷土料理) – meaning 'local cuisine' – the friendly owner should unlock his secrets. A course of the local tai-meishi is ¥2100.
reviewed
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I
Hōuntei
Patrons have been ordering the hito-kuchi gyōza (one-bite gyōza; ¥360 for 10) at this rustic establishment since the 1970s. Also try butaniratoji (pork and shallots cooked omelette style; ¥520).
reviewed
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J
Fish Man
Fish Man's decor is all post-industrial minimalism with lacquered plywood and big windows, the better to show off the deft, unconventional presentations of seafood fresh from the Nagahama market across town: kaidan-zushi (sushi served on a wooden spiral staircase), tsubotai no misoyaki (miso-grilled snapper) or a maguro hamburger served on a steel plate.
Afterwards, stop for dessert at Fish Man's adorable affiliated cake shop Henry & Cowell, just down the street.
reviewed
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Dō-rai
In the centre of Sonai is this delightful little Okinawan izakaya that serves local specialities like ishigakigyū-sutēki (Ishigaki-style steak; ¥1300) and rafutē (gingered, stewed pork; ¥700). It's about 100m southeast of the post office in Sonai. Look for the blue and white sign on the brick wall.
reviewed
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Chūzan
This popular izakaya is a great spot that offers a variety of locally caught seafood. You can't go wrong with the sashimi-moriawase (sashimi assortment; ¥1000), which washes down perfectly with a tall glass of nama-biiru (draught beer; ¥250). Service can be a little slow. Look for the green carpeted steps outside.
reviewed
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Aoba
Behind the yellow noren (door curtain) two-minutes' walk left of the station, this cheery shop serves satisfying kurobuta roosukatsu (black pork cutlet) teishoku (¥1320) or, if you dare, Satsuma jidori sashimi (raw sliced chicken, ¥780).
reviewed
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K
Gompachi
The Glien Passage theme-park is home to every conceivable type of restaurant, though this traditional izakaya gets top marks for its sweeping views and delicious robatayaki (grilled skewers). There is an English menu here, though with wafting aromas of roasting meats, chickens, fish and seafood filling the air, it's not necessary to look at a menu to figure out what you want to eat.
reviewed
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