Shibuya is a sleepless town with a huge variety of izakaya (Japanese pubs), ranging from casual watering holes to classy establishments. With countless options available, it's so hard to make a choice, which is why you'll find this list of 10 izakaya picks useful. Before you head back to your hotel, stop by one of these spots for a couple of after-dinner drinks!
1. Tenku no Tsuki (Shibuya)
The evocative Tenku no Tsuki will truly make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time and ended up in the ancient capital. Its private rooms of various sizes can cater from 2 to 44 customers, making them suitable for dates, business meetings, parties, and any other occasion. Examples of their delicacies include the [Wild-Caught Fish Assortment], which features the best selection of fish according to your budget and the number of people in your group, and the [Kinme Kabuto Nitsuke] (splendid alfonsino head simmered with soy sauce), which the head chef will prepare with great mastery only after you've ordered it. Their food goes great with their sake, carefully selected from various parts of Japan, and from time to time, they even host a sake fair! Enjoy the atmosphere reminiscent of the townscape of Kyoto, along with delicious seafood and sake.
Tenku no Tsuki
Open: Dinner
: 5:00 pm - 12:30 am (last order at 11:30 pm) *Operating hours end at 2:00 am on Fridays (last order 1:00 am), and 12:30 am on Saturdays and eves of national holidays / [Monday - Friday] Lunch: 11:30 am -2:00 pmClosed:
NoneAverage price:
[Dinner] 4,000 JPYAccess:
A 7-minute walk from the JR Shibuya station or 2-minute walk from Shinsen station on the Inokashira line. The restaurant is on the 3rd floor of the Dougenzaka square building, near the Dougenzaka-jo police box.Address:
Dogenzaka SQUARE 3F , 5-18 Maruyama-cho , Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (
Map)
More Details Reservation
2. Shibuyabatake (Shibuya)
It takes as little as 1 minute on foot from Shibuya Station to get to Shibuyabatake, a laid-back place where you can relax and enjoy shabu-shabu (sliced meat parboiled with vegetables). There are private rooms with 2 to 30 seats, and you can book the entire restaurant for parties of 50 people or more. For their affordable all-you-can-drink course, you can choose your main dish from [Shabu-Shabu], [Sukiyaki] (hot pot stew), or [Seiro-Mushi] (ingredients steamed in a bamboo basket). In particular, the [Tsuyu Dashi Shabu-Shabu] allows you to enjoy meat and vegetables cooked in rich and refined dashi (broth) prepared by the chef every morning. The drinks menu has over 80 items, so it's the perfect option for a night out with friends or business meetings.
Shibuyabatake
Open:
[Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays] Generally 4:00 pm - 12:00 am[Monday - Wednesday, and Friday] Generally 5:00 pm - 12:00 amClosed:
NoneAverage price:
[Dinner] 3,500 JPYAccess:
A one minute walk from JR Shibuya Station Hachiko ExitAddress:
Marudai Building 6/7F, 1-23-13 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (
Map)
More Details Reservation
3. Izakaya Kushiroya (Shibuya)
With its retro yet homey atmosphere, Kushiroya is the perfect place for enjoying a few drinks along with delicious Hokkaido cuisine. There are both counter and table seats, and you can also book the entire restaurant for a private party of 10 - 12 people. The most frequently ordered menu item is [Gotappe], a Hokkaido specialty that consists of saffron cod salted and dried overnight. Although the combo of salted fish entrails and potato may sound weird, the [Shiokara Potato Butter] (600 JPY) has a truly addictive flavor as well. If you book beforehand, they can even procure raw oysters or crab, so feel free to inquire.
Izakaya Kushiroya
Open:
[Weekdays/Saturday/holidays] Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pmClosed:
SundayAverage price:
[Dinner] 3,500 JPYAccess:
Five minute walk from JR Shibuya station. Take Hachiko exit and turn right at the intersection down Dogenzaka road. Take a left at Dogenzaka 2-Chome interection, and it is located 50m futher on the left hand side. Address:
Koike Bldg. B1, 2-23-1 Dogenzaka , Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (
Map)
More Details Reservation
4. MYSH Sake Bar (Shibuya)
Located fairly close to Cat Street, MYSH Sake Bar is a lovely place where you can enjoy a selection of delicious sake (Japanese alcohol) selected by the proprietress. In its classy Japanese-style interiors, you'll find seats by a U-shaped counter, private rooms for 8 to 15 people, and tea rooms that can hold 2 to 4 customers. They have daily special sake stocked from all over the country, which taste amazing with the proprietress' selected [Assortment of 3 Sides]. There are also other reasonably priced snacks like the [Tobei with Wasabi and Soy Sauce] (pickled tofu) (600 JPY) and the [Pork Cartilage] (500 JPY). Additionally, if you're hungry and haven't had dinner yet, the menu also includes full course meals. Don't worry if you're new to the world of sake, as they have English-speaking staff that will explain everything to you!
MYSH sake bar
Open:
Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm / Dinner 3:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm) Closed:
NoneAverage price:
[Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPYAccess:
5 minutes walk from the exit No.13 of Shibuya StationAddress:
2F, New Art Bldg., 5-30-3, Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
5. Imabari Teppan Yakitori Yamadori Shibuya (Shibuya)
Imabari in Ehime Prefecture is renowned as the city of yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), and this restaurant, with a branch in Dogenzaka, Shibuya, is the talk of the town there. Other than tables, they have spacious counter seats where diners are welcome to stretch their legs. A distinctive feature of Imabari yakitori is that they're grilled on a teppan (iron griddle), rather than over a direct fire as with other forms of yakitori. The most recommended menu items for having a full Imabari experience are the [Skin] (350 JPY), the [Senzanki] (550 JPY), which is Imabari-style deep-fried chicken, and the [Imabari Grilled Pork and Egg Rice] (780 JPY). There's also a varied drinks menu centering on ji-zake (Japanese local alcohol), but make sure to taste and compare the junmaishu (sake made without adding alcohol), cold nigori-shu (cloudy sake), and shochu (another kind of Japanese alcohol) by the popular original brand Iyosuigun. Everything is directly delivered from Ehime, so pick this place if you want to relish regional food and drinks!
Imabari Teppan Yakitori Yamadori Shibuya
Open: 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (last order 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,800 JPY
Access: 5 min. walk from Shibuya Station's Hachiko Exit. 3rd floor of the building in front of the entrance to Hyakkendana, on top of Dogenzaka.
Address: Dogenzaka SUN J Bldg. 3F , 2-28-5 Dogenzaka , Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
6. Imakoko (Shinsen)
Imakoko is a famous Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy kaiseki (Japanese banquet cuisine with alcohol) in a casual atmosphere. It's equipped with counter seats, tables, and semi-private rooms for up to 7 people. Here, you can have various Japanese dishes like the [Seasonal Kama-Takigohan] (rice cooked in an iron pot) (from 2,800 JPY), as well as [Noto Seafood Sashimi] and other dishes made from ultra-fresh seafood directly delivered on a daily basis from the Noto Peninsula. As for drinks, they have a large array of select sake stocked from a liquor store that works with over 50 different breweries. Every sake on the menu includes a description of its main features, which will make it much easier for you to make your choice. Here, food and drink enhance each other's qualities to offer you an unforgettable experience.
Imakoko
Open:
[Tuesday - Sunday, Day before National Holidays] Dinner: 6:00 pm - 12:00 am (Last order: 10:30 pm) *Reservations required for course meal[Tuesday - Friday] Lunch: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm (Last order: 2:30 pm)Closed:
NoneAverage price:
[Dinner] 8,000 JPYAccess:
1-minute walk from Shinsen Station. Head west from the South Exit, and take the second left. Go straight for about 120 meters (400 feet) and it will be on the left corner.Address:
Bichon Dogenzaka, 25-8 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (
Map)
More Details
7. Shibuya Udagawacho no Himono-ya (Shibuya)
"Himono" means dried fish, and at Shibuya Udagawacho no Himono-ya, you can taste plenty of it stocked from Japan and various parts of the world. The interiors are so quiet, you won't believe you're still in the lively shopping district of Shibuya, and they're divided into numerous private rooms with a capacity of 2 to 50 customers. They serve not-so-easy-to-find delicacies like the [Kobore Ikura-meshi] (1,590 JPY), a mouthwatering rice bowl overflowing with salmon roe, and the [Tsubodai no Hiraki], made with Japanese boarfish stocked from Japan's top himono manufacturing company. You can pair them with [Juyondai], [Jikon], and many other premium sake brands available on the menu. Head here if you want to treat yourself to a special evening!
Shibuya Udagawacho no Himono-ya
Open: Normal hours: 4:00 pm to 5:00 am
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY
Access: Four minute walk from Shibuya Station
Address: Emerald Bldg. B1F, 12-7 Udagawa-cho , Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
8. Kakureya Shibuya Branch (Shibuya)
At Kakureya, you'll get to admire the skills of a chef who gained his experience at a highly-acclaimed restaurant. Whatever your purpose is, you can get comfortable in their private rooms that range from 2 to 60 seats in capacity. The wide menu offers different types of delicacies from various cuisines that are made with seasonal products, such as the [Top Seafood of Shibuya!!], the [Colorful Seafood Carpaccio] (970 JPY (plus tax)), and the [Assortment of Ingredients Smoked In-house] (1,800 JPY (plus tax)). In addition, they stock their sake from all around the country, from well-known brands to rare bottles, so you'll definitely discover something new!
Kakureya Shibuya Branch
Open: [Monday - Saturday, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 5:00 am (L.O. 4:00 am)
[Sunday] 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: 4,000 JPY
Address: B1F, No.1 Shibukan Bldg., 1-7-1, Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
9. Nogiguchi - Kumamoto Kushiyaki (Shibuya)
With its lovely modern Japanese design, Nogiguchi oozes elegance down to the finest detail. You can choose between counter seats and semi-private rooms for 2 to 4 customers, or head to the loft on the 2nd floor that can host up to 10 people. The restaurant boasts a large number of dishes made with premium products from Kumamoto, among which you should try the [Charcoal Grilled Horse Flank], thoroughly grilled on binchotan (high-grade charcoal). Another popular option is the [Chef's Recommended Yakitori], wherein everything is made with a brand of chicken from Kumamoto called "Amakusa Daio." Their sake comes from Kumamoto as well, making this restaurant a true paradise for Kumamoto fans!
Nogiguchi - Kumamoto Kushiyaki
Open:
[Weekdays] Lunch 11:45 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm) / Dinner 6:00 pm - 0:00 am (L.O, 11:00 pm)Closed:
NoneAverage price:
[Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPYAccess:
10 minutes walk from [Shibuya Station] on JR Yamanote Line. From Exit 3a, pass the front of Yamada Denki, then go straight along the streetAddress:
1F, 11-11 Maruyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
10. Shibusan Uokin (Shibuya)
You can drop by Uokin for a drink on your way home from work, for a night out, with your family and kids, or even just by yourself. Sit at the counter if you want to see the chef prepare your food before your eyes, or pick a table if you prefer to get more comfortable. Make sure to order their signature dish made with fresh fish stocked every day from the market - the luxurious [Sashimi Assortment] (from 1,280 JPY). Alternatively, the [Stuffed Horsehair Crab Shell] (from 1,580 JPY) is also highly recommended. They have a wide range of sake, including limited-edition liquors that are not included on the main menu. This restaurant is renowned as a sophisticated hideaway.
Shibusan Uokin
Open:
[Weekday] Normal Hours 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm[Saturday] Normal Hours 4:30 pm -11:30 pmMore Details Each one of these izakaya has its own special features, so you'll definitely find something suitable for you and your mates. You can either just drop by for a few drinks or sit back and treat yourself to a filling dinner. Pick your favorite and enjoy!
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.