The 15 Best Izakaya in Ueno for a Glass of Delicious Sake On Your Way Home from a Busy Day Sightseeing Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 06 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Sake Ueno

The 15 Best Izakaya in Ueno for a Glass of Delicious Sake On Your Way Home from a Busy Day Sightseeing

One of the central hubs for tourism in Tokyo, Ueno is home to a plethora of popular tourist sites, such as Ameyoko Shopping Street and Ueno Zoo. After a long day of sightseeing, what could be better than a delicious meal with a glass of sake (a kind of Japanese alcohol)? Here are the 15 best izakaya (Japanese pubs) in Ueno for this!

See full listings of Sake restaurants found in and around Ueno.

1. Yamazakura Ueno Main Branch

The 15 Best Izakaya for a Glass of Delicious Sake On Your Way Home from a Busy Day Sightseeing

This restaurant brings together a collection of sake from around the country and allows you to enjoy them in a modern and refined, but distinctly Japanese setting. From limited edition brands to staples, Yamazakura's rich lineup changes every season, meaning that you will always have the chance to sample the finest sake. On the culinary side of things, there are more than 20 types of nabe (hot pot), seafood, skewers, and other treats to be enjoyed individually. One particular dish, the [Kaidan Mori] (1,580 JPY), is especially popular for how Instagrammable it is. It features as many as 8 types of specially selected seasonal seafood, all beautifully served up together. A glass of sake and sashimi are a match made in heaven, so be sure to try it if you stop by.

Yamazakura Ueno Main Branch

Open: 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: 4,000 JPY
Address: 4F, Nandaimon Ueno Ekimae Bldg., 7-2-1, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

2. Saka no Ue

This restaurant serves up a plethora of culinary delights, all of which go perfect with a glass of sake. Within its stylish Japanese interiors, it offers more than 20 varieties of sake, as well as a number of specially selected seafood items, such as shellfish, as well as meat, hot pot, and other a la carte options. One of the most popular items on the menu is the [Seared Liver] (599 JPY). This liver is quickly seared and is delicious with sesame oil, salt, and a healthy serving of spring onions. The unique richness of the liver is simply divine when enjoyed with a glass of sake.

Saka no Ue

Open: [Weekdays, Day before National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (Food L.O. 10:30 pm, Drinks L.O. 11:00 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 4:00 pm - 11:30 pm (Food L.O. 10:30 pm, Drinks L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: 4,000 JPY
Address: 3F, Gomi Bldg., 6-8-4, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

3. Toriya Okachimachi Branch

This restaurant offers a number of chicken dishes at a reasonable price. Using "Kaori", their original breed of bird known for the juiciness and consistency of its meat, they offer chicken skewers, chicken hot pot, and fried chicken. The item that goes best with sake is the [Nagoya-style Chicken Wings] (100 JPY per wing). These meaty wings are fried and served with a special sauce, making for a flavorful treat. There is a rich collection of sake available, featuring both the most popular brands as well as some rarer options, so why not try sampling a few different types to compare?

Toriya Okachimachi Branch

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY
Address: B1F, Velco Kuromon Bldg., 3-14-5, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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4. Torimichi Sakaba

This popular izakaya offers sake and food at reasonable prices. One of its selling points is its sheer size. Spread across three floors, it provides a number of seating options to meet customers' needs, with counter seats, seating areas for smaller groups, and also large table seating. Torimichi Sakaba has a rich and varied menu, from grilled skewers (all 100 JPY) to single-item dishes, sashimi, and fried goods. One particularly popular item is the [Seared White Liver] (490 JPY), considered to be the foie gras of chicken. To protect the flavor, only one side of it is cooked, giving rise to a deep and rich taste. There are approximately 10 varieties of sake available here at any one time, and the prices are reasonable when compared with other places. It is the perfect spot to pop into whenever you want!

Torimichi Sakaba

Open: 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: 2,000 JPY
Address: 6-13-5, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

5. Kamadoya Ueno Branch

This old-style restaurant serves up delicious Japanese food and sake. There are 9 private rooms in total which can be used by groups of 2-14. Kamadoya makes a point of getting its ingredients delivered directly from the source, and among all of its offerings, the [Steamed Abalone Liver with Bean Paste] (1,280 JPY) is particularly recommended. This luxurious dish combines the naturally soft texture of abalone with puréed abalone liver and bean paste seasoned with seaweed. If you order the [Today's Sake] (980 JPY), your server will select a recommended sake from the owner's specially curated selection, leaving you to enjoy a kind of culinary experience only available in Japan.

Kamadoya Ueno Branch

Open: [Weekdays] 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 10:45 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 2:00 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 10:45 pm)
Closed: Beginning and end of the year
Average price: 5,000 JPY
Address: 6F Shintonoda Bldg., 6-13-9, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

6. Ajitoyoya

Ajitoyoya provides a wide open-plan space in which to enjoy its selection of sake and culinary delights. The owner is a qualified sake curator and while naturally offering a wide range of sake, this establishment also has a selection of wine and shochu (another kind of Japanese alcohol). All of the varieties of alcohol here have been painstakingly selected, so it is highly recommended to take the time to compare a number of types while you're there. The food menu consists of elaborately crafted, traditional Japanese dishes. Amongst them, the [Boiled Splendid Alfonsino Pot] (680 - 1,200 JPY) is the perfect accompanying snack to any drink. The fish is shipped in directly from Kochi Prefecture and is boiled in a sweet and spicy sauce. It's the kind of dish that'll have you coming back, not just for more sake, but also for rice!

Ajitoyoya

Open: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am
Closed: Sunday
*Open the day before any national holidays
*Open on Sunday for special occasions only by prior reservation
Average price: 3,500 JPY
Address: 1-2-13, Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo

7. Enya Okachimachi Branch

Conveniently located just 1 minute from Ueno-okachimachi Station, this traditional izakaya is exclusively filled with private rooms. Its key selling points are the convenience of being able to book for just 2 people or 100 people and the value for money offered by its course meal options. All of these courses come with an all-you-can-drink option that, while of course including sake, also offers whisky, wine, and shochu for a total of over 30 options. The most reasonable package on offer is the [Super Value Course] which includes 8 different dishes and 3 hours of all-you-can-drink for a reduced price of 3,000 JPY (regularly retailing at 4,000 JPY). This feast provides for grilled skewers, egg rolls, dumpling hot pot, and even ramen to finish, is sure to satisfy.

Enya Okachimachi Branch

Open: 12:00 pm -12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
*From 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm, bookings are necessary
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 3F, Okachimachi Grandia Bldg., 5-25-8, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

8. Tosa Shimizu World Ueno branch

This izakaya lets you sample the regional dishes and sake of Kochi Prefecture, with seafood shipped directly from Kochi to the premises. There is also a rich collection of local sake varieties sourced from breweries in Kochi. Tosa Shimizu World is famed for the "warayaki" cooking method wherein food is impeccably grilled using straw. The [Tosa Shimizu Local Bounties Course] (4,980 JPY) that combines 9 food items and 2 hours of all-you-can-drink will allow you to sample food cooked in the warayaki style. Included in this package are chicken, bonito, and yellowtail dishes all grilled with straw, as well as sashimi, sushi rolls, and more. The multitude of regional dishes, prepared in a simple traditional way that brings out the true taste of the ingredients, make the perfect accompaniment to sake.

Tosa Shimizu World Ueno branch

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 0:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
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9. Ehigasa

Ehigasa allows visitors to enjoy both sake and "obanzai," a traditional type of side dish served in Japanese home cooking and a particular staple of Kyoto. A warm homely atmosphere is created by the sight of a counter topped with large plates of obanzai, and all made with organic ingredients harvested via natural farming methods and changed daily. In winter, hearty root vegetables will warm you up, while in the summer tomatoes and cucumbers will cool you down. Every dish is made to leave you with that warm and fuzzy feeling, with a mix of boiled dishes, salads, and aemono (chopped seafood or vegetables dressed in sauce), all made from seasonal vegetables like the ones mentioned above. A luxurious and incredibly Japanese way of passing the time is enjoying an order of [Set of 3 Obanzai] (950 JPY) with a glass of sake.

Ehigasa

Open: 5:30 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays
*If there are reservations, Ehigasa will be open on Saturdays
Average price: 4,000 JPY
Address: 1F, Haruka Bldg., 7-8-20, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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10. Takebun

This izakaya allows you to sample some regional varieties of sake with traditional Japanese food made from seasonal vegetables. Takebun is a small restaurant off the beaten track with a snug, homely atmosphere. Some of its key selling points are its selection of regional sake varieties from Toyama and Yamaguchi prefectures, as well as its vast array of wines that go perfectly with Japanese food. A number of simple dishes feature on the menu such as stews, fried dishes, grilled dishes, and sashimi, all designed to bring out the true taste of the ingredients used. The [Fried Japanese Glass Shrimp] (950 JPY) is particularly recommended. Known as the "Jewel of Toyama Bay," these shrimp are procured fresh off the boat and fried whole. The sweet and crunchy shell, combined with the plump and juicy innards, will have you reaching for another glass of sake!

Takebun

Open: [Weekdays] 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
[Saturday] 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: 5,000 JPY
Address: 2F, Takebun Bldg., 6-13-6, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

11. Jidori Bozu Ueno Branch

This izakaya offers patrons the chance to sample free-range chicken dishes and the delicacies of Nagoya in a stylish, designer space. One of the sources of its popularity is its number of courses that come with an all-you-can-drink option. There is also a vast array of sake options, with both sweet and spicy varieties. Among the food offerings, the [Cheese Dak Galbi] (1,280 JPY) is particularly recommended. It is made using Okumikawa, a special breed of chicken from Aichi Prefecture, and allows you to select from a variety of cheeses. The chicken, seasoned with tasty spices, and vegetables blend perfectly with the cheese to create something truly exceptional. A number of other items, such as the [Grilled Nagoya Cochin] (880 JPY), also make a great accompanying piece to a glass of sake.

Jidori Bozu Ueno Branch

Open: 3:00 pm - 12:00 am (Food L.O. 11:00 pm, Drink L.O. 11:30 pm)
*Entry from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm requires booking at least a day in advance
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 3,500 JPY
Address: 4F, POKKE Bldg., 6-8-8, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

12. Tohoku Shoten Ueno Ekimae Branch

Tohoku Shoten is home to regional delicacies and famous sake varieties from the Tohoku region. It offers customers a relaxed atmosphere thanks to its primarily horigotatsu (sunken kotatsu table) seating. Prized sake from Aomori, Akita, Yamagata, Miyazaki, Iwate, Fukushima, and Hokkaido prefectures can all be found here, and one of the charms of this restaurant is the ability to compare varieties from different regions. The [Seared Thick-cut Beef Tongue] (1,180 JPY) uses beef tongue, a specialty of Sendai in Miyazaki Prefecture, and comes particularly recommended. This expertly and carefully grilled beef tongue releases more of its delicious flavor with every bite. There are also a huge variety of other dishes that can accompany sake, such as sashimi, skewers and small side dishes.

Tohoku Shoten Ueno Ekimae Branch

Open: 3:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
*Entry from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm requires reserving at least a day in advance
Closed: None
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 2F, For Life Ueno Ekimae Bldg., 6-6-15, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

13. Nidaime Kei

Nidaime Kei offers customers the chance to sample only the freshest of seafood, chargrilled slowly over a sunken hearth. They pay equal attention to their choice of sake, with a rich selection of exquisite junginjo (high-quality sake brewed at a low temperature) and junmai (sake with no added sugar or alcohol). Their chargrilled items are served on large skewers, with the [Herbs and Butter Grilled Lobster] (900 JPY), [Butter Grilled Hokkaido Scallop Topped with Raw Sea Urchin] (900 JPY per scallop), and - if you are willing to splurge - the flavorful [Whole Shore Dottorel] (from 3,980 JPY) coming particularly recommended. You can be sure that you will create a perfect culinary memory here, tasting the delicious spoils of Japan with grilled fish and delicious sake.

Nidaime Kei

Open: 5:30 pm - 3:00 am (L.O.)
Closed: None
Average price: 4,800 JPY
Address: 1F, Kojima Bldg., 2-3-5, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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14. Ueno Issho

At Ueno Issho, you can enjoy creative takes on Japanese cuisine leveraging ingredients from Kyushu, as well as some regional sake. You will find staples such as [Offal Hot Pot] (1,138 JPY per person) and the famous [Hakata Blue Mackerel] (1,280 JPY), which arrives fresh every morning. However, don't miss out on the [Chicken Wing Skewers] (180 JPY) which are most renowned for their compatibility with sake. These wings are basted in a soy sauce based sauce and are cooked only upon order. The sake lineup is primarily focused around offerings from Fukuoka, Saga, and Oita prefectures. Ueno Issho will make you feel as though you have traveled to Kyushu, having never left Tokyo.

Ueno Issho

Open: 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
Closed: None
Average price: 4,500 JPY
Address: 8F, FUNDES Ueno, 7-2-4, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

15. Azuki

At Azuki, you can get your fill of the freshest meat and seafood, as well as specially selected sake. Among all the food on its menu, the sweet and spicy taste of the [Olive Beef Gold Label (Ribeye) Sukiyaki] (5,000 JPY per person) is particularly suited to be enjoyed with sake and is very popular. You are sure to be surprised by the softness and deliciousness of the uniquely light yet flavorful Olive brand beef the moment it hits your tongue. For the same price, there is also an option to have shabu-shabu (sliced meat parboiled with vegetables), so feel free to create an own meal! Another popular dish, the [Seafood Shabu-Shabu] (4,000 JPY per person), lets you choose 5 kinds of seasonal seafood for the shabu-shabu.

Azuki

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm -11:30 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
*Open on national holidays if there's a booking for a group of 10+ people
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Address: B1F, Kotobuki Bldg., 3-15-7, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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Fill your heart and body with delicious food while comparing a wide variety of sake at these izakaya!

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.