7 japanese izakaya places in Osaka we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Osaka | Japanese Izakaya across every city.
The izakaya is where Osaka's eat-yourself-broke spirit lives, all small plates, cheap pours and shoulder-to-shoulder counters. The Hozenji Yokocho lane near Dotonbori and Namba is the scene in miniature, with its late izakayas and standing sake counters spilling out after dark. Nagahori brings a more considered, kappo-leaning version of the form in Kitashinchi and Fukushima, while the Tenma Izakaya Backstreets in Tenma and Tenjinbashi pack in the densest cluster of drinking spots in the city.
Nagahori ★ 4.6
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.
Okazu Izakaya Kuu ★ 4.4
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.
Nagahori ★ 4.6
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.
Hozenji Yokocho Izakayas Late ★ 4.0
Dotonbori and Namba · 1-8 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0076
The lantern-lit Hozenji Yokocho izakayas run until 01:00 or later, serving house sake and Osaka obanzai plates; most warm-lit well after midnight.
Hozenji Yokocho Sake Counter ★ 4.8
Dotonbori and Namba · 1-8 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0076
The dozen izakayas lining Hozenji Yokocho are visible from Dotonbori but entered by only a fraction of tourists. Moss-covered walls and lanterns.
Tenma Izakaya Backstreets ★ 4.7
Tenma and Tenjinbashi · 2-5 Tenma, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0043
Over 200 izakayas packed into the alleys behind Tenmangu Shrine; entered almost exclusively by local workers, largely unseen from Tenjinbashi-suji.
Nagahori Michelin Izakaya ★ 4.5
Kitashinchi and Fukushima · 1-3-9 Uemachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-0005
The world's first Michelin-starred izakaya, unknown outside Japan despite a star held since 2010. No English signage; booking requires Japanese.