The 11 Best Izakayas in Japan
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The best izakayas in Japan, according to the experts: The Infatuation and the Michelin Guide have both weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. Kiha comes out on top, and the good stuff runs deepest in Tokyo.
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Tsukada Suisan and Kushiwakamaru hold the next two places. The Infatuation shows up on more of this list than any other guide, with the Michelin Guide next.
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Kiha is a train-themed standing bar where the decor commits harder than most commuters do. Ambient rail sounds play, empty ekiben boxes line the staircase, and upstairs there's a full replica of a train car, with conductor outfits for photos. You pay by the clock rather than the drink, so the snacks stay simple: canned sardines under cheese, karaage, fries. It's The Infatuation's pick for both Tokyo's best bars and izakayas.
The awards
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Bars In Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Best Bars In Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
A Tie
Two places have the exact same Score, so they share #1. We don't pick a winner we can't back up.
- #1 Kiha (this place) 66.520
- #1 Tsukada Suisan 66.520
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Rank 1. Tsukada Suisan
Japanese
By day this is a fishcake shop with trays of neatly arranged product and no particular interest in your evening plans. At 7pm it flips into a standing-room oden bar tucked into Harmonica Yokocho, where you eat simmered fishcakes off your feet and drink sake in cheap, small cups. Tell the staff when you're halfway through and they'll top it off with oden broth, which locals insist helps the hangover. Nobody has verified this, but it's warm.
The awards
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Bars In Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Best Bars In Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
A Tie
Two places have the exact same Score, so they share #1. We don't pick a winner we can't back up.
- #1 Kiha 66.520
- #1 Tsukada Suisan (this place) 66.520
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Rank 3. Kushiwakamaru
Yakitori Japanese
The awards
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: Where To Eat When You’re Visiting Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
- The Infatuation Where To Eat When You’re Visiting Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
A Tie
Nine places have the exact same Score, so they share #3. We don't pick a winner we can't back up.
- #3 Kushiwakamaru (this place) 61.728
- #3 Mimasuya 61.728
- #3 Nakame No Teppen Honten 61.728
- #3 Nowhere 61.728
- #3 Sanya Meguro 61.728
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Rank 3. Mimasuya
Japanese
The awards
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
A Tie
Nine places have the exact same Score, so they share #3. We don't pick a winner we can't back up.
- #3 Kushiwakamaru 61.728
- #3 Mimasuya (this place) 61.728
- #3 Nakame No Teppen Honten 61.728
- #3 Nowhere 61.728
- #3 Sanya Meguro 61.728
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Rank 3. Nakame No Teppen Honten
Japanese
The awards
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
A Tie
Nine places have the exact same Score, so they share #3. We don't pick a winner we can't back up.
- #3 Kushiwakamaru 61.728
- #3 Mimasuya 61.728
- #3 Nakame No Teppen Honten (this place) 61.728
- #3 Nowhere 61.728
- #3 Sanya Meguro 61.728
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Rank 3. Nowhere
Vegan Izakaya
The awards
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
A Tie
Nine places have the exact same Score, so they share #3. We don't pick a winner we can't back up.
- #3 Mimasuya 61.728
- #3 Nakame No Teppen Honten 61.728
- #3 Nowhere (this place) 61.728
- #3 Sanya Meguro 61.728
- #3 Shinpo 61.728
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Rank 3. Sanya Meguro
Modern Japanese
The awards
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
A Tie
Nine places have the exact same Score, so they share #3. We don't pick a winner we can't back up.
- #3 Nakame No Teppen Honten 61.728
- #3 Nowhere 61.728
- #3 Sanya Meguro (this place) 61.728
- #3 Shinpo 61.728
- #3 SŌWADŌ 61.728
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Rank 3. Shinpo
Izakaya
The awards
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
A Tie
Nine places have the exact same Score, so they share #3. We don't pick a winner we can't back up.
- #3 Nowhere 61.728
- #3 Sanya Meguro 61.728
- #3 Shinpo (this place) 61.728
- #3 SŌWADŌ 61.728
- #3 Toridosi 61.728
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Rank 3. SŌWADŌ
Japanese
The awards
- Michelin Guide Michelin Guide: Selected Restaurant
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
- Michelin Guide Selected Restaurant
- The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
A Tie
Nine places have the exact same Score, so they share #3. We don't pick a winner we can't back up.
- #3 Sanya Meguro 61.728
- #3 Shinpo 61.728
- #3 SŌWADŌ (this place) 61.728
- #3 Toridosi 61.728
- #3 Tsukada Nojo 61.728
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Rank 3. Toridosi
Japanese
The awards
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
A Tie
Nine places have the exact same Score, so they share #3. We don't pick a winner we can't back up.
- #3 Sanya Meguro 61.728
- #3 Shinpo 61.728
- #3 SŌWADŌ 61.728
- #3 Toridosi (this place) 61.728
- #3 Tsukada Nojo 61.728
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Rank 3. Tsukada Nojo
Southern Kyushu Japanese
The awards
- The Infatuation The Infatuation: The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
- The Infatuation The Best Izakayas In Tokyo
A Tie
Nine places have the exact same Score, so they share #3. We don't pick a winner we can't back up.
- #3 Sanya Meguro 61.728
- #3 Shinpo 61.728
- #3 SŌWADŌ 61.728
- #3 Toridosi 61.728
- #3 Tsukada Nojo (this place) 61.728