7 Izakayas in Kanazawa Katamachi Where You Can Enjoy the True Pleasure of Gourmet Food
Located in the heart of Kanazawa, the Katamachi area is one of the largest entertainment districts in the Hokuriku region, home to thousands of restaurants. From among the many izakaya, we introduce 7 carefully selected spots chosen by Hoshino Resorts staff who know the local area inside and out.
A lineup of renowned establishments where you can fully enjoy local specialties like blackthroat seaperch (nodoguro), fresh seafood, piping hot "Kanazawa Oden," and local Hokuriku sake. From trendy spots with fun presentations to beloved local favorites, you are sure to find a place you'll want to "take a detour" to on your next trip to Kanazawa.
1Shungyo Kisai Totozakura
Enjoy a bucket of local sashimi and a whole grilled nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch)
The signature menu item is the "Sashimi Tub Platter," featuring the best local fish of the day. Beautifully arranged with eight types of fresh seafood, including sweet shrimp, whelk, and kelp-cured swordfish, you can taste the rich bounty of the Hokuriku sea all at once. Another specialty is the "Whole Grilled Nodoguro (Blackthroat Seaperch)." By slowly grilling the whole fish over charcoal, the skin becomes crispy and the meat becomes fluffy, creating an exquisite texture that allows the elegant flavor of the Nodoguro's fat to spread throughout your mouth. You can also watch it being grilled in the open kitchen, making for an immersive dining experience.
We are committed to Kanazawa-style, from local sake and cuisine to the tableware.
We stock about 15 types of sake, all from Ishikawa Prefecture, and also offer a tasting set of three. It is a pleasure to find your favorite brand while trying out different pairings with the food.
Our oden, which focuses on homemade ingredients such as white shrimp dumplings and sardine fish balls, is made with a broth thatIshiru(fish sauce) is added to give it a flavor characteristic of Ishikawa Prefecture. Thoughtful touches that allow you to experience Kanazawa's traditional culture, such as the use of Kutani ware, are also included. From local sake and oden to the tableware, this is a place where you can experience the food and culture of Kanazawa.
Local
Supporter
While many restaurants offer nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) at market price, it is a relief to be able to order with peace of mind as the prices are clearly stated here. The attentive hospitality, such as taking the bones served with the "seared nodoguro sashimi" and turning them into fragrant bone crackers later, is also a highlight.
- Shungyo Kisai Totozakura
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2-5-5 Katamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
Approx. 15 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Katamachi," and walk about 5 minutes.
17:00–23:30 (L.O. 23:00)
December 31, January 1
076-222-8724
None *Paid parking available nearby
Online reservations recommended
2Taishu Kappo Ozeki
Exquisite seafood dishes where you can taste seasonal local ingredients and river fish.
A kappo-style izakaya founded in 1957 (Showa 32). The refined, aged interior exudes a Showa-era retro atmosphere. The policy of "using the best local ingredients possible while keeping prices affordable for the public" has remained unchanged since the time of its founding. Starting with the "Assorted Sashimi" featuring seasonal local ingredients, the restaurant focuses not only on seafood but also on river fish dishes. The fragrant salt-grilled sweetfish, deep-fried gori (a type of river fish), and grilled eel, which is filleted and grilled right in front of you after you order, are all highly regarded. The thick, fluffy horse mackerel fry and the rolled omelet with its gentle, spreading flavor are also popular.
Oden featuring a decisive fish-based broth is also popular.
Another signature menu item is Kanazawa oden. Instead of kelp, the broth is made with a blend of shaved flakes from sardines, mackerel, and bonito, creating a deep flavor unique to this restaurant that has been loved for many years. They are also particular about their oden ingredients; for example, they only use Gensuke daikon, a Kaga vegetable that does not easily fall apart when simmered. For this reason, the daikon is only available for a limited time from late October to March, when Gensuke daikon is in season. On the fourth Monday of every month, they hold an "Oden Appreciation Day," where oden ingredients are offered for 150 yen (with some exceptions).
Local
Supporter
The warm atmosphere created by the couple who run the restaurant is charming. With many local customers, it is a precious place where you can feel the traditional daily life of Kanazawa. You will be drawn to their friendly personalities, and the restaurant is so full of charm that as soon as you leave, you will think, "I definitely want to come back!"
- Taishu Kappo Ozeki
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1F Nakaizumi Bldg., 1-5 Kiguramachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
Approx. 15 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Korinbo," and walk for about 5 minutes.
16:30–21:30 (L.O. 21:00); Sundays and holidays 16:30–21:00 (L.O. 20:30)
Tuesdays, 1st, 3rd, and 5th Mondays
076-221-9450
None *Paid parking available nearby
Reservations recommended (especially on weekends)
3Itaru Honten
Enjoy dishes that lock in the umami.
A popular restaurant with many repeat visitors who travel from outside the prefecture and abroad. It is a highly acclaimed izakaya that fills up quickly with reservations. The "Osashimi-tei Nihonkai Sashimi Oke-mori," where you can taste fresh sashimi delivered daily from fishing ports in Kanazawa, Noto-Ushitsu, and Toyama-Shinminato, is a delight, as it comes with vinegared rice so you can also enjoy it as sushi.
The "Nodoguro Sake-mushi" (steamed blackthroat seaperch in sake) is a blissful dish that lets you savor the pure flavor of the fish. The "Amaebi Pari-nokke," featuring white fish and sweet shrimp on bread infused with olive oil and garlic, offers a crispy texture followed by the rich flavor of the sweet shrimp.
A popular restaurant that fills up quickly with reservations.
Dining at the counter, where you can watch the lively open kitchen, is a unique experience at the main branch. With a desire to only carry sake that brings out the best in the ingredients, they offer 20 types of junmai sake. Among them, the "Tengumai Kuradashi Mini Tank" is a rare drink you can only find here.
Poured directly from a tank sent from the renowned Ishikawa brewery "Shata Shuzo," this sake is unbottled, allowing you to experience the freshness as if you were drinking at the brewery, along with a mellow, clean taste and a fruity aroma. This incredibly luxurious drink is very easy to enjoy and is something we highly recommend even for those new to sake.
Local
Supporter
Reservations are accepted from noon two months in advance, but they are so popular that weekend slots fill up in about an hour. A few seats are sometimes left open for same-day walk-ins, so if you couldn't get a reservation, we recommend inquiring on the day.
- Itaru Honten
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3-8 Kakinokibatake, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
Approx. 15 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Korinbo," and walk for about 5 minutes.
17:30–23:00 (L.O. 22:30)
Sundays (If Sunday and a public holiday fall on consecutive days, closed on Monday)
076-221-4194
4Iwashigumi
Kanazawa Oden, which can be enjoyed all year round, is now available.
A specialty restaurant serving sardines in a variety of ways. Once you take a bite of the "Sardine Tataki" mixed with mountain yam, green onion, scallions, and ginger, you are sure to be captivated by its exquisite balance. The tataki is served in a style where you wrap it in seaweed and enjoy it with two types of sauce: homemade dried sardine soy sauce and salt-sesame oil.
Newly added to the menu is Kanazawa Oden, which can be enjoyed all year round. The "Oden Assortment" contains six types of ingredients. It features the chef's daily recommendations, including sardine fish balls, daikon radish, and kuruma-fu (wheat gluten). The broth, rich in seafood, is made from dried sardines, kelp, bonito, mackerel, and a generous amount of sardines, resulting in a clean and refreshing flavor.
A variety of dishes that bring out the full potential of sardines.
The owner says they have created between 200 and 300 types of sardine dishes to date. Currently, they have narrowed it down to about 20, offering dishes that bring out the full potential of sardines, such as "Sardine Salad Yukhoe" and "Sardine Plum and Shiso Spring Rolls."
Although sardines can generally be harvested all year round, the fat content varies by season, so there are cooking methods suited to each time of year. For those who want to enjoy seasonal dishes, we recommend ordering from the blackboard menu. As for drinks, we offer a selection of sake that pairs well with sardines, focusing on junmai sake from the Hokuriku region.
Local
Supporter
With the hope that guests will relax and enjoy themselves, the restaurant is full of fun little touches. The sign at the entrance says "Fishing" instead of "Open," and the chopstick wrappers double as fortune slips. These thoughtful details are sure to warm your heart.
- Iwashigumi
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1-7-13 Katamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station and get off at "Katamachi"; about a 1-minute walk
17:30–21:30 (L.O. 21:00) *Closes when sardines run out
Sundays (However, if there are consecutive holidays, the last day of the holidays)
*Closed on days when no sardines are in stock
076-224-1493
5Meshiya Gyokaijin Ura-Katamachi Branch
Experience a new style that stimulates the five senses.
A stylish izakaya for adults that has just opened on a back street in Katamachi. We pride ourselves on creative Japanese cuisine using incredibly fresh fish that rivals our impressive presentation and staging.
Our signature "Sashimi Hassun Assortment" arrives enveloped in dry ice smoke. On a Kutani ware plate, the day's fresh fish, such as sea urchin, sweet shrimp, and fatty tuna, are beautifully arranged. We source high-quality seafood that is a cut above the rest, and its freshness is outstanding. Another appeal is that you can experience the culture of Edomae sushi while enjoying the delicious flavors, such as brushing soy sauce onto the tuna.
The luxury of spending a slightly special night.
The interior, inspired by Showa-era discos, is themed around "onko-chishin" (learning from the past). It is a space where nostalgia and urban vibes coexist comfortably, creating an interesting contrast. You can also choose the patterns of your Kutani-ware chopstick rests and sake cups, which is sure to lift your spirits.
All alcoholic drinks are supervised by "Souryu," a popular bar in Katamachi. The appeal lies in being able to enjoy bar-quality drinks. We also offer original signature fruit cocktails. Our sake lineup features selections from the three prefectures of the Hokuriku region. We also have hidden sake selections, so please ask our staff if you are interested.
Local
Supporter
We also recommend the dedicated oden counter, which opened next door as a branch of the main restaurant. You can drop by casually to enjoy Kanazawa oden.
- Meshiya Gyokaijin Urakatamachi
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1F Ginga Kaikan, 2-2-25 Katamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station and get off at "Katamachi"; about a 1-minute walk
16:00–24:00
Irregular holidays
076-255-3070
6Ichiba Chokusou Kaisen Sakaba Sakanayasake
A menu with incredible impact that you will never forget once you see it.
This seafood izakaya offers not only reliable flavors but also dishes that are a feast for the eyes. While there are many simple dishes that highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients, the real highlights are the menu items with impactful names and appearances. Our signature "Avalanche Sushi" features tuna and salmon piled high on top of thin sushi rolls. It is topped with an overflowing amount of salmon roe, making it highly satisfying in both taste and volume.
Also, our hand-rolled sushi "Kimi to Tsunagaritai" (a pun on "I want to connect with you" using the ingredients: egg yolk, tuna, pickled ginger, and sea bream) will make you chuckle at the name. The egg yolk, tuna, ginger, and sea bream are beautifully arranged on a sheet of nori. The staff brings it to your table before rolling it so you can take a photo, then they roll and cut it for you to enjoy.
The bliss of stuffing your cheeks with piping hot oden
The 125-tsubo, 140-seat restaurant is equipped with various types of seating. The private room overlooking the courtyard garden is particularly special. Another great point is that you can enjoy oden from our sister restaurant, "Izakaya Gappa," which has been ranked number one in national oden rankings on gourmet websites.
The popular "Oden Pot" contains about 11 types of ingredients soaked in a broth slowly simmered with seven types of dried fish flakes, including bonito and saury, and Oono soy sauce. Every table is equipped with a tabletop stove, allowing you to enjoy hot oden at a leisurely pace while keeping it warm.
Local
Supporter
The "Kimi to Tsunagaritai" and "Nadare Sushi" are quite voluminous, so we recommend sharing them with two or more people.
- Ichiba Chokusou Kaisen Sakaba Sakanayasake
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B1F Chuo Core Bldg., 2-23-12 Katamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station, get off at "Katamachi," and walk about 2 minutes.
17:00–23:00 (L.O. 22:30)
Sunday
076-255-6167
None
7Ganso Kanazawa Robata Appare Kanazawa Katamachi Branch
Surprise and delight in flavors that you can enjoy from the moment they are presented
An izakaya where you can enjoy dishes packed with love for the Hokuriku region. The "Dynamic Sashimi Boat Platter" was born during the COVID-19 pandemic out of a desire to energize Kanazawa. You are sure to feel the intense energy in the presentation, which is brought out with a loud shout of "The ship is coming!" and high-volume music.
The thickness of the sashimi is just as impactful as the flag. The incredibly satisfying sashimi, which you won't be able to forget after just one bite, is sure to leave a lasting impression. The "Echizen Crab Cream Croquette," which contains Echizen crab, cream sauce, and crab miso inside a crab shell, is also popular.
A front-row seat where you can fully enjoy oden
With the desire to "increase the number of Kanazawa fans around the world," this restaurant proposes delicious food every day to share the flavors of Kanazawa and the three Hokuriku prefectures with as many people as possible. The menu features dishes that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients while incorporating elements of entertainment.
Kanazawa, where the umami has been carefully drawn out over time,is also characterized by its oden. The U-shaped counter seat, commonly known as the "President's Seat," serves as the oden counter and is a prime spot that fills up quickly. While oden is usually only available as a platter, this seat offers the special privilege of being able to order individual items.
Local
Supporter
Based on the concept of "gathering the best of Hokuriku," you can enjoy dishes that make abundant use of local ingredients carefully selected by the staff themselves, who travel to the source. We recommend trying the truly delicious local sake, discovered after visiting 37 breweries in Ishikawa Prefecture, as a tasting flight.
- Ganso Kanazawa Robata Appare Kanazawa Katamachi Branch
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B1F Hokkoku Building, 2-2-15 Katamachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
Approx. 10 minutes by car from JR Kanazawa Station
Take a bus from JR Kanazawa Station and get off at "Katamachi"; about a 1-minute walk
Mon–Thu 17:00–23:00, Fri 17:00–24:00, Sat 16:00–24:00, Sun & Holidays 16:00–23:00
Irregular holidays
076-256-0182
MAP





