Local Guide
Sake is a must for everyone from beginners to aficionados. Five izakaya where you can enjoy Japanese sake in Otsuka, Tokyo

Otsuka, Tokyo, is a unique area where people's lives and culture intersect. Many izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) serving carefully selected sake are gathered here, and the area is also known as a "mecca for sake. In this article, we introduce a carefully selected selection of recommended restaurants where you can enjoy the profound charm of sake, from long-established masterpieces to up-and-coming brews. We hope that both connoisseurs and sake beginners will find this information useful and enjoy their visit.

The restaurant that led Otsuka to be called "sake town

The second-generation proprietress, who has inherited her predecessor's passion, warmly welcomes you in front of the Kansai brazier on the second floor.
The second-generation proprietress, who has inherited her predecessor's passion, warmly welcomes you in front of the Kansai brazier on the second floor.

Founded in 1980, this is a famous izakaya that stocks a wide variety of famous regional sake. The steady efforts of the predecessors, such as preparing a refrigerator exclusively for unpasteurized sake, which was rare at the time of establishment, and visiting local breweries to learn about sake, bore fruit and enabled the restaurant to purchase sake directly from the breweries. Eventually, they were the first to introduce Yamagata Prefecture's "Jyushidai," which is now a rare sake. The store's lineup of excellent sake has led Otsuka to be called a "sacred place for sake.
Sake directly shipped from 28 to 30 breweries around Japan is available in 45 types, from honjozo to junmai daiginjo. The sake is also good to enjoy with "horse sashimi" or "Kushikoma persimmon butter.

Croquettes with a fun texture go great with sake!

Kushikoma hand-rolled croquette
Kushikoma hand-rolled croquette" 500 yen per piece

The menu features a wide variety of dishes made with seasonal ingredients that make you want to drink sake. One of the most popular dishes is the "Kushikoma Temakomaki Croquette," which was created by the head chef of a famous hotel using ingredients brought in from the hotel. The ingredients are rolled in spring roll skin, coated with breadcrumbs, and deep fried. The ingredients are lotus root, pork & onion sauteed in olive oil to a rich flavor, and steamed potatoes. The lotus root's crunchy texture accentuates the dish, and despite being deep-fried, it is not heavy, making it a perfect accompaniment to sake.

Local Guide Comment
The "Ishiri Mochi" (rice cakes) made of rice cooked in Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture's fish sauce "ishiru" is a hidden specialty of this restaurant, and is carefully grilled on a brazier on the second floor by the proprietress. If you visit in winter, be sure to try it.
Kushikoma
  • address (e.g. of house) 1-33-25 Kitaotsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo MAP
  • Direction 4 minutes walk from JR Otsuka Station
  • Business Hours 18:00-23:30, Sat. and Sun. 17:30-23:00
  • Closed Mon.
  • TEL 03-3917-665
  • Parking None
  • Memo Reservations are required for all seats, so please call before visiting.

The "Sake-Tamago Miso Stew" is the perfect accompaniment for sake!

The
The "konjak skewer" 220 yen and the "thick fried bean curd skewer" 220 yen, both simmered in sake-thief miso, will warm you up!

This izakaya offers more than 30 kinds of sake and fish dishes. The "Sake-Tobi-Miso Stewed Fish" is served with sake, and is made by simmering ingredients in two kinds of miso and sake steal for at least two days. You can choose from about 10 different kinds of ingredients, including "Tuna Hoho" and "Egg Tempura," with the most popular ones being "Konyaku Skewer" and "Thick Fried Skewer. The rich broth that spreads in your mouth as you bite into it makes both sake and chopsticks go down a treat. We recommend enjoying them with "Shinmasa" from Akita or "Tobiroki" from Fukushima, both of which have a subtle sweetness.

Small portions are available, so even sake beginners can feel at ease!

Counter seating is also available, making it easy to use the restaurant alone.
Counter seating is also available, making it easy to use the restaurant alone.

The menu posted on the walls of the restaurant features recommended dishes made with fresh fish. In particular, the "Omakase Five-Piece Sashimi Platter" is a particular dish that allows you to enjoy seafood directly shipped from all over Japan. The sashimi is served with fresh wasabi from Shizuoka Prefecture, which is grated by the chef himself.

Sake, ranging from seasonal to rare, is available in small (50 ml) and small (250 ml) portions, as well as all-you-can-drink with no time limit (no reservation required). From first-time sake drinkers to long-time sake lovers, everyone can enjoy sake to its fullest.

Local Guide Comment
The sake on the menu changes daily, so you will find something new every time you visit. The menu lists the place of origin and brand of sake as well as its flavor and other characteristics, but if you let them know your preferences, they will suggest the best match for you.
YODARE
  • address (e.g. of house) 1F Showa Building, 3-38-13 Minami-Otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo MAP
  • Direction 4 minutes walk from JR Otsuka Station
  • Business Hours 16:00-23:00 (L.O. 22:00, Drink L.O. 22:30)
  • Closed Closed on Mondays, Year-end and New Year vacations, and summer vacation
  • TEL 050-5486-1899
  • Parking None

A creative restaurant where you can enjoy both wine and sake

Appetizer set of three (persimmon with tofu paste, raw oysters with pear sauce, and chicken ham): 1,400 yen for two people. 100cc of fruity-tasting sake
Appetizer set of three (persimmon with tofu paste, raw oysters with pear sauce, and chicken ham): 1,400 yen for two people. 100cc of fruity-tasting sake "Shinmasa" for 1,200 yen.

A restaurant where you can enjoy creative food pairings with sake carefully selected by Staff/staff members after actually drinking it. There are about 20 types of sake, and several types of "orange wine," which is brewed with the skin and seeds of white grapes, are available, from light to heavy.
The first thing to order is the "three appetizer set" that incorporates seasonal ingredients. The menu changes monthly except for the "Chicken Ham" wrapped with apples and bell peppers, but these appetizers go well with fruity and refreshing sake, white wine, or light orange wine. Many people add potato salad for an extra 400 yen.

Special creative cuisine that looks and tastes great in a hideaway space!

The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere with six seats at the counter and four tables.
The restaurant has a relaxed atmosphere with six seats at the counter and four tables.

Located on the fifth floor of a building, this hideaway-style izakaya is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet moment away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. The chef here is the former owner of a creative Japanese restaurant that was selected as a Michelin Bib Gourmand. The restaurant offers a la carte and course meals that are first-rate in both taste and appearance.

The popular menu item, "Deep Fried Japanese Young Chicken with Salt," is made by coating chicken marinated in salt water with a batter containing carbonated water and deep frying it to create a crispy texture on the outside. Served with Earl Grey tea salt, it goes even better with sake.

Local Guide Comment
In addition to enjoying a course meal, the restaurant also offers a selection of cold and hot dishes that can be lightly picked up, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions. Call before visiting as the restaurant may close when they run out of ingredients.
Wine and Sake Izakaya Hana
  • address (e.g. of house) The City Otsuka 5F, 3-45-7 Minami-Otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo MAP
  • Direction 3 minutes walk from JR Otsuka Station
  • Business Hours 17:00-23:00 (last entry by 21:30)
  • Closed Closed on Wednesdays and irregular holidays
  • TEL 090-4211-5850
  • Parking None

Enjoy the combination of sake and ramen for lunch.

The
The "Hamaguri no Ushio soba" (Hamaguri clam tidal soba) is 1,300 yen, which was born from the "Hamaguri no Wadashi (Japanese soup stock)" served as an appetizer. The optional oil with a choice of ginger or hana-sansho (Japanese pepper) is also available.

Located along the Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line), this restaurant serves sake and creative Japanese cuisine. It serves seven kinds of "non-chemical ramen" during the day and mainly Japanese food at night. The best item on the lunch menu is the "Hamaguri no Ushio soba," a sumptuous dish topped with large hamaguri clams from Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures. The soup, made from bonito, kelp, and three types of shellfish, is light, but the umami of seafood fills the mouth. The noodles are made with whole wheat flour from Hokkaido, and the water content is increased to leave a chewy texture. Sake can be ordered from lunch time, so be sure to enjoy it with sake.

For dinner, enjoy a course of creative Japanese cuisine using seasonal ingredients

The atmosphere of the restaurant changes from day to night. Counter and table seating is also available.
The atmosphere of the restaurant changes from day to night. Counter and table seating is also available.

The sight of sake bottles lined up in the restaurant heightens the anticipation for sake. We always have more than 35 brands carefully selected according to the season, and you can order from 100cc to enjoy a variety of flavors at your leisure.
In the evening, reservations are required, and the restaurant offers two types of menus: the "snack course" and the "course," which allows you to fully enjoy the owner's original Japanese cuisine, and for parties of three or less, you can order a la carte items such as "adult potato salad" and "assorted fresh fish" instead of a course.

Local Guide Comment
For dinner, be sure to order the "Sake (5 kinds) Pairing" for 3,500 yen. You may find a brand you would not normally choose for yourself.
Miyaho
  • address (e.g. of house) 1F Daimei Building, 3-48-5 Minami-Otsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo MAP
  • Direction 3 minutes walk from JR Otsuka Station
  • Business Hours 17:30-22:00
  • Closed Sunday
  • TEL 03-3988-3577
  • Parking None

Sashimi and grilled fish from Toyosu

Today's sashimi
Today's sashimi" for 3,600 yen (left) and "Today's fish (grilled fish)" for 3,000 yen (right)

A Japanese-style izakaya located in Kitaotsuka. Fresh fish directly shipped from Toyosu is available as sashimi, grilled, or boiled. The owner prepares a gorgeous "today's sashimi," which comes with not only the standard condiments such as wasabi, but also homemade ponzu (Japanese citrus juice) and kanzuri (a type of citrus fruit vinegar). Please enjoy it with a generous serving of aromatic vegetables. We recommend serving it with sake such as "Okunoto" from Ishikawa Prefecture, which is characterized by its gentle sweetness, or "Eiko-Fuji" from Yamagata Prefecture, which has a strong sweetness of rice.

Sake from all over Japan carefully selected by the manager.

The manager handwrites the menu, blackboards, and signboards.
The manager handwrites the menu, blackboards, and signboards.

The interior of the restaurant has a nostalgic feel as if it were a renovated old private house. With counter, table, and semi-private room seating, the restaurant is comfortable for both solo diners and large groups. We always offer five kinds of sake, including "Onogawa" from Akita Prefecture and "Drunken Whale" from Kochi Prefecture, as well as one or two limited editions recommended for the season. 100ml minimum order is available, so why not choose the sake that best suits the season and cuisine?

To top off the meal, we offer freshly grated yam yam yam and freshly cooked rice in a rice cooker. The gentle taste of yam and white rice will soak into your body after drinking.

Local Guide Comment
Don't miss the dishes using ingredients from Hiroshima Prefecture, the manager's hometown. The menu features seasonal dishes that make use of ingredients that are rare in Tokyo, such as "seared pine mushrooms," a mushroom that originated in Hiroshima.
Kitaotsuka Lamp
  • Address 3-25-11 Kitaotsuka, Toshima-ku, Tokyo MAP
  • Direction 5 minutes walk from JR Otsuka Station
  • Business Hours 11:30-15:00, 17:30-22:00 (Food L.O. 21:00, Drink L.O. 21:30)
  • Closed Open daily (closed occasionally for company events)
  • TEL 03-6903-6393
  • Parking Coin-operated parking available in front of the restaurant

MAP

Hoshino Resorts facilities nearby
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The information in this article is current as of the date of the update. Please check before visiting as they are subject to change.