10 Most Popular Izakaya Chains Across Japan

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In Japan, the center of social life beats within the izakaya, and no journey to Japan is full with out visiting one. These buzzing, boisterous pubs are the center and soul of Japanese social life, the place locals collect to unwind after an extended day, meet up with associates, drink, and feast on a mountain of scrumptious bites. With izakayas scattered all through the nation, you’re by no means removed from a vibrant ambiance and a mouthwatering menu. However with so many choices, the place do you even start? 

Let’s take a look at the ten hottest izakaya chains throughout Japan and see what number of you possibly can go to in your subsequent journey!

1. Torikizoku 

Torikizoku is a beloved Japanese izakaya chain the place the aroma of grilling yakitori fills the air from the second you step by the doorways. They’re well-known for serving the freshest Japanese rooster skewers with their signature sauce, a secret recipe unchanged since Torikizoku first opened. Their super-simple pricing is much more interesting as a result of every thing on the menu is identical! From their well-known yakitori to comforting rice bowls and even candy dessert treats like their ice cream parfaits, it’s all the identical, making it a budget-friendly feast. 

With round 620 areas throughout Japan, from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the colourful Kansai area, and menus obtainable in Japanese, English and Chinese language, Torikizoku presents a welcoming and scrumptious expertise for everybody, with some areas even throwing in distinctive, location-specific dishes for an additional shock.

Web site: Torikizoku

2. Kushikatsu Tanaka 

Craving crispy, golden goodness washed down with ice-cold drinks? Then Kushikatsu Tanaka is your spot. This energetic izakaya chain, born from the soul meals of Osaka, is a haven for individuals who respect the straightforward pleasures of fried skewers and boozy enjoyable. You’ll be able to count on a bustling ambiance crammed with the glad chatter of associates, frosty beers, highballs, and shochu sours flowing freely, and plates piled excessive with completely fried cutlet skewers. Kushikatsu Tanaka takes this beloved Osaka meals and elevates it with a secret household dipping sauce, a recipe handed down by generations. 

Kushikatsu Tanaka can be a success with households, creating a singular ambiance the place everybody can benefit from the scrumptious meals and energetic ambiance. For a additional kick of enjoyable, problem your luck with a sport of “Chinchiro,” a cube sport that might win you discounted and even free drinks.

Web site: Kushikatsu Tanaka

3. Tsubohachi 

Tsubohachi’s roots stretch again to 1973 in Sapporo, Hokkaido. From its humble beginnings in a tiny, eight-tsubo house (roughly the scale of two tatami mats!), Tsubohachi has blossomed right into a beloved establishment with areas in over 30 Japanese prefectures and even throughout Southeast Asia. The identify itself, a mix of “tsubo” (the unit of measurement) and “hachi” (eight), is a nod to its origins. Greater than only a place to seize a drink, Tsubohachi is famend for its hearty, Hokkaido-inspired delicacies, providing a menu of over 150 dishes, from premium salmon sushi and scorching steak to comforting baked rice and crispy tempura. Whether or not you’re there for the meals, the pleasant ambiance, or a enjoyable gathering with family and friends, Tsubohachi guarantees a very genuine and unforgettable izakaya expertise with good vibes, wonderful service, and a smoke-free setting for everybody to get pleasure from.

Web site: Tsubohachi

4. Shirokiya 

Once you step into Shirokiya, you’ll be transported to a haven of calm amidst the bustling metropolis. This in style izakaya chain, that means “home of white wooden,” presents a contemporary but distinctly Japanese ambiance, excellent for unwinding with associates or colleagues. From sake and shochu to refreshing comfortable drinks, their in depth drink menu caters to all tastes, particularly with tempting all-you-can-drink choices. Pair your beverage with a various array of delectable dishes, ordered conveniently from a pill with English language help – a welcome contact for worldwide guests. Since its first opening close to Nakano Station’s south exit in 1983, Shirokiya has develop into identified for its tranquil setting, typically drawing teams of ladies for energetic “joshikai” (women’ nights out), proving it’s a spot the place everybody can chill out and revel in themselves.

Web site: Shirokiya

5. Watami 

Watami is a Japanese eating empire that has conquered each prefecture in Japan and even opened eating places throughout Asia, from Korea and mainland China to the Philippines and Singapore. This isn’t your typical boisterous, shout-across-the-table izakaya, although. Taking its identify, that means “Harmonious Populace,” Watami presents a extra relaxed, refined ambiance. Whilst you’ll nonetheless discover all of the traditional Japanese pub fare and drinks you crave, Watami prides itself on its dedication to contemporary, protected produce, typically sourced from its personal farms, which is some extent of satisfaction for them. And in an enthralling contact of Japanese hospitality, employees kneel to take your order, making certain a snug, respectful interplay. This mix of high quality, consolation, and consideration makes Watami a very distinctive eating expertise.

Web site: Watami

6. Yoronotaki 

Boasting over 60 years of historical past, Yorotaki is a welcoming spot for solo diners or giant boisterous teams. Their menu is a pleasant mixture of easy-to-grab bites and shareable platters, making certain nobody leaves hungry. Many areas transport you again to Japan’s Showa period with a nostalgic ambiance; the comfortable counters are excellent for sipping sake alone, and spacious rooms are perfect for energetic gatherings. Yoronotaki has masterfully balanced custom with innovation, preserving traditional flavors whereas introducing thrilling new dishes. And talking of drinks, don’t miss the “Yorono Beer,” a small bottled brew that made historical past in 1971 as Japan’s first private-label beer. With over 200 areas throughout the nation, ordering is a breeze even with menus primarily in Japanese, as useful images allow you to merely level and revel in.

Web site: Yoronotaki

7. DOMA-DOMA 

In conventional Japanese houses, the doma is a kind of earthen ground space that’s the coronary heart of the house, a spot for households to assemble and share tales. DOMA-DOMA recreates this heat, nostalgic ambiance, inviting you to expertise a style of outdated Japan. Their menu is a pleasant mixture of traditional izakaya fare, like crispy fried rooster and savory grilled dishes, alongside enjoyable, internationally impressed creations like their playful “Nan de Pizza!!” (Why Pizza?!). With a big selection of beers, sake, highballs, and even lighter, beer-flavored choices, there’s one thing to quench each thirst. And with round 50 areas, largely in Tokyo and Kanagawa, plus English and Chinese language menus and a few English-speaking employees, DOMA-DOMA makes it straightforward for everybody to get pleasure from a style of conventional Japanese consolation.

Web site: DOMA-DOMA

8. Hanbey 

Hanbey is one other pleasant time warp that takes you proper to the Showa period at this in style chain with 17 areas scattered all through Tokyo. Retro posters plaster the partitions, classic toys line the cabinets, and traditional tunes fill the air, creating an extremely photogenic and immersive ambiance. However Hanbey isn’t simply concerning the eye-catching décor; it’s additionally a implausible place to get pleasure from reasonably priced drinks and engaging bites. From traditional highballs and happoshu to quirky chocolate banana cocktails and customizable chu-hi, the drink menu presents one thing for everybody. Pair your beverage with a wide range of dishes like yakitori, yakisoba, and fried treats. A complimentary soup starter and free ice cream for the women sweeten the deal, and even the small seating cost (which incorporates cabbage and dip) seems like a steal, contemplating the distinctive expertise and the possibility to purchase nostalgic Japanese candies.

Web site: Hanbey

9. Shoya 

“Positive, with pleasure!” is the enthusiastic welcome, now an indicator of Shoya’s pleasant service. Greater than only a native izakaya, Shoya units itself aside with expert cooks at each location. These culinary artists supply the freshest catches from throughout Japan, remodeling them into beautiful sashimi and delicately simmered fish. Shoya additionally excels within the artwork of yakitori, providing numerous skewers that rival even specialty yakitori retailers. And for a style of comforting residence cooking, don’t miss their signature nimono, a flavorful Japanese simmered dish. With 126 nationwide areas and menus in English and Chinese language (plus multilingual employees at choose areas), Shoya presents a welcoming and scrumptious expertise for everybody.

Web site: Shoya

10. Miraizaka

Craving crispy, juicy fried rooster in a energetic ambiance? Look no additional than Miraizaka, the Japanese izakaya chain famed for its colossal parts of karaage. Marinated in a secret mix of spices and fried to golden perfection utilizing a singular technique, every chew delivers an irresistible crunch adopted by a burst of savory, moist rooster. Pair this star dish with a refreshing highball or zesty lemon bitter for the final word taste mixture. However Miraizaka presents extra than simply unimaginable rooster; from completely grilled yakitori skewers to soul-warming motsu nabe sizzling pot, their menu is a treasure trove of Japanese tavern classics. Cozy interiors, some even that includes conventional sunken kotatsu tables, create the right setting for catching up with associates over good meals and drinks, simply ordered through a handy pill system that additionally showcases stunning delights like their in style carbonara rice.

Web site: Miraizaka

Japan Surprise Journey Meals Excursions 

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From non-public strolling excursions to scrumptious Meals and Drink excursions, we might help manage one of the best excursions only for you! If you wish to discover Japan and study extra concerning the historical past and backstories of every space you might be touring in, our educated and pleasant guides will fortunately take you to one of the best spots! 
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