11 japanese izakaya rooms worth the trip across Japan, editor-ranked. All cuisines in Japan.
Nagahori ★ 4.6 · Osaka
Kitashinchi and Fukushima · 1-3-9 Uemachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-0005
The world's first Michelin-starred izakaya (one star since 2010); Shigeo Nakamura cooks dashimaki tamago and roasted chicken to careful izakaya standard.
Nagahori ★ 4.6 · Osaka
Kitashinchi and Fukushima · 1-3-9 Uemachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-0005
Nagahori became the first izakaya in the world to earn a Michelin star in 2010 and retains it in the 2026 guide; chef Shigeo Nakamura serves heirloom.
Uoshin Nogizaka ★ 4.5 · Tokyo
nogizaka · Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
Uoshin Nogizaka in Tokyo is the seafood izakaya where the boat-shaped sashimi platter feeds four. Direct buying from the Toyosu auction floor each morning.
Tip: Walk-ins only after 17:00; bring cash for the cover charge. Other Uoshin branches in Shinjuku and Shibuya.
Okazu Izakaya Kuu ★ 4.4 · Osaka
Dotonbori and Namba · 1-8-22 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0076
A warmly lit Hozenji Yokocho izakaya serving Osaka obanzai small plates and house sake; hidden beside the moss-covered Fudo-Myoo altar in a lantern-lit alley.
Ponshya Santoku ★ 4.3 · Kyoto
karasuma-kawaramachi · Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8077, Japan
A standing-counter sake bar and oden room in a renovated Kyoto machiya. Chicken-paitan oden broth, 30-sake list and the Japanese-only blackboard menu.
Tip: Open until 01:00 weekdays, late dinner spot. Standing only, no reservations.
Isari ★ 4.2 · Sapporo
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0807, Japan
A Hosui-Susukino seafood izakaya leaning on the morning catch at Otaru and Hakodate. Sashimi platters, seasonal nabe and a Hokkaido sake list.
Tip: Counter and small private rooms; reserve a Friday seat a week ahead.
Kirakutei ★ 4.1 · Kyoto
karasuma-kawaramachi · Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-0843, Japan
An izakaya in Kyoto pairing fresh seafood from Maizuru Port with Kyotamba chicken plates. Karasuma-side address, almost everything under 1,000 yen.
Tip: Reservations recommended on weekends. Lunch from 11:30, dinner runs to midnight.
Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu ★ 4.1 · Tokyo
nishi-azabu · Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0031, Japan
Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu in Tokyo is the wood-beamed izakaya famous as the Kill Bill restaurant inspiration. Yakitori, soba and a dramatic two-floor room.
Tip: Reservations recommended. Open daily 11:30-03:30. Lunch sets are calmer and cheaper than dinner.
Gono Go Kawaramachi Sanjo ★ 4.0 · Kyoto
karasuma-kawaramachi · Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8004, Japan
A rare late-night izakaya in Kyoto that runs until 05:00 most days. Slow-cooked pork trotter, oden plates and the after-shift crowd from Pontocho counters.
Tip: Cash and card accepted. Walk-in seats easiest 03:00-05:00; closed lunch.
Hokkaido Seafood Izakaya Saburo ★ 4.0 · Sapporo
susukino · Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0806, Japan
A Hosui-Susukino izakaya pulling daily from multiple Hokkaido fishing ports. Sashimi platters, Ishikari nabe stew and grilled fish across a long menu.
Tip: Open 17:00-24:00; reserve a Friday seat a week ahead Walk-ins usually OK.
Torikizoku Shibuya ★ 4.0 · Tokyo
shibuya · Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0042, Japan
Torikizoku Shibuya in Tokyo is the value yakitori izakaya pouring 350-yen skewers and mega-highball jugs. Counter, tables, English ordering tablet.
Tip: All food and drink 350 yen plus tax. Reservations recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings.