20 Recommended Izakaya in Nagano Prefecture! By area, including Matsumoto and Nagano

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Yamazato is a restaurant run by Shuraku Co., Ltd., a company headquartered in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, that operates izakaya serving local cuisine and more.

The stylish Yamazato has a U-shaped counter and zashiki (tatami seating), where you can enjoy Shinshu (Nagano) local cuisine and game meat.

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In Matsumoto, "sanzoku-yaki (garlic soy-marinated fried chicken)" made by marinating chicken thigh in garlic soy sauce is a local favorite. The restaurant's "Meibutsu Matsumoto Sanzoku-yaki" is said to be a hearty bone-in dish.

Regional specialties from around Shinshu (Nagano) and local game such as venison and wild boar are also popular.

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They offer Japanese sake and shochu that go well with Japanese food. There is also a wide lineup of alcohol such as wine and umeshu (plum wine), many with ties to Shinshu, so you can enjoy pairing them with the food.

They also have restaurant-limited kuradashi tokubetsu-shu (freshly released Special sake from the brewery) in an easy-to-finish 300ml size.

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Kura no Mukou is an izakaya that people say offers a wide variety of Shinshu (Nagano) sake and ingredients, and it stands in an easy-to-stop-by location just a 1-minute walk from Matsumoto Station.

The interior, designed with the image of a sake brewery, has a purely Japanese feel, with counter seats and tatami rooms with Sunken kotatsu seating.

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This restaurant lets you enjoy all kinds of Shinshu (Nagano area) specialties, and the noodle dish that is perfect To finish a night of drinks is the soba (buckwheat noodles) in the photo.

Here, they use finely milled Azumino flour from the production region to make thin noodles that go down smoothly and taste great.

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Of course they serve basashi (horse sashimi), and they also offer a wide range of horse meat dishes and menu items made with local ingredients, including otaguri (horse offal stew) simmered in Shinshu miso (Shinshu-style miso).

The drinks selection also has a strong Shinshu touch, with a full lineup that includes Japanese sake, shochu, as well as wine and whisky.

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This izakaya is operated by Kabushikigaisha Shuraku and is known for local sake, regional cuisine, and fresh seafood.

The cozy interior has a warm wooden feel, with counter and table seating, plus Semi-private room options for groups.

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There are many menu items made with Special ingredients, and the Domestic basashi (horse sashimi) as well as fresh fish delivered from the Kanazawa Port production region in Ishikawa are also recommended.

For local specialties, they also offer the classic “Meibutsu Matsumoto Sanzoku-yaki” and a dish featuring Nozawana (Nozawa mustard greens), which is counted among Shinshu’s traditional vegetables.

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Nagano Prefecture, with its good water and abundant nature, is also known as a region where Japanese sake brewing thrives.

At Matsumotohan Sakaba Shuraku, they serve Shinshu local Japanese sake, and you can also enjoy limited arrivals of sake from outside the prefecture.

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The "sutamina-yaki (hearty grilled meat)" is a dish of chicken and pork motsu (offal) boldly grilled over charcoal until fragrant.

It is said to have an addictive flavor thanks to the special stamina sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, and ichimi (Japanese chili pepper). The charcoal grilled dishes also include classic yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).

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The first beer is served with foam art. You can choose from a wide selection of drinks, including Nagano craft beer and Shinshu local sake.

Basashi (horse sashimi), which pairs well with alcohol, is also popular. Shinshu has a long-standing culture of eating horse meat, so it's also recommended to enjoy them together.

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Shinano no Teppen is an izakaya (Japanese pub) that is popular for its lively atmosphere and energetic service from the staff.

From the counter facing the open kitchen, you can watch the cooking in action, and some reviews say that this live feel is one of the seasonings that makes the food and drinks here taste even better.

For group visits, table seating is recommended, along with good value courses that come with All you can drink.

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You can enjoy Teppan-yaki dishes at this izakaya (Japanese pub). They serve Japanese egg dishes like dashimaki tamago (rolled omelet with dashi), made by adding dashi to beaten eggs before cooking, and tonpeiyaki, where pork and cabbage are wrapped in a thin egg crepe.

At Shinano no Teppen, both the food and drinks are said to be hearty and tasty.

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Nagano Prefecture is counted alongside Kumamoto Prefecture and Fukushima Prefecture as one of the three major production regions for basashi (horse sashimi).

Because basashi also pairs well with alcohol, you can find it at many izakaya in Nagano Prefecture. If you are getting together with people who enjoy drinking, the top recommendation is to pair local sake with basashi.

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Hanzo Matsumoto Ekimae Ten is a popular izakaya in a convenient location just a 2-minute walk from the Oshiro Exit of Matsumoto Station, where you can take your time and enjoy Nagano specialties and drinks in a calm atmosphere.

The clean and relaxed interior has Private rooms with Sunken kotatsu seating and fully private rooms with doors, available to suit different group sizes.

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Basashi Akami (lean horse sashimi), enjoyed with garlic and ginger yakumi (condiments), is a standard local specialty at izakaya in Shinshu (Nagano).

Along with the hearty Nagano local dish tori momo sanzoku-yaki (grilled chicken thigh), you can enjoy a wide range of flavors unique to the area.

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The drink menu features a lineup of more than 100 options, including local sake, highballs, and sours.

In addition to courses that come with All you can drink, they also offer a premium All you can drink plan that lets you add draft beer and Japanese sake.

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The izakaya (Japanese pub) Yogan-yaki Nesshin, near Matsumoto Station, is known for its lava grilled Nagano jidori (local chicken) and pork.

The menu features Nagano gourmet food, Shinshu (Nagano area) ingredients, and local sake, attracting a wide range of diners.

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The yogan-yaki (lava stone grilling) here uses a lava plate from Mt. Fuji, which slowly cooks the meat over low heat so it turns out juicy, full of flavor, and nicely plump.

They offer (Each) cut of Shinshu Ougon Shamo (Shinshu Golden Gamefowl) and Shinshu Kometon (Shinshu Rice-Fed Pork), and you can also enjoy thinly sliced Beef Tongue.

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For drinks, they offer about 10 kinds of local sake from Nagano Prefecture, including dry and light styles, and you can enjoy labels that change with the seasons.

They also have a good selection of shochu (Japanese distilled spirit) that pairs well with lava-grilled dishes, mainly sweet potato shochu, with standard picks, well-known labels, and limited editions to choose from.

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Rakuzo Utage Matsumoto Ekimae Ten is an izakaya (Japanese pub) near JR Matsumoto Station, known for its careful service and fully Private room seating.

The restaurant is fully equipped with Private rooms available even for small groups, and guests can enjoy their meal in a calm, upscale atmosphere without worrying too much about the people around them.

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They offer a wide range of menu items, including creative dishes and the local specialty available only at Rakuzo Utage Matsumoto Ekimae Ten, "Hearty sangayaki (grilled chicken thigh)".

They also have a good selection of To finish dishes you will want after drinks, including "ochazuke (salmon tea rice)".

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Shochu (Japanese distilled spirit) is a Japanese distilled liquor. This restaurant offers shochu made from sweet potato, barley, and brown sugar, and you can enjoy it by the glass or bottle.

The premium All you can drink plan is recommended, with a wide selection that includes branded shochu and Japanese sake.

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Shusai Yamazaki Ekimae Ten is a popular place where you can take your time and enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine in a cozy setting.

It is often fully booked, so making a reservation in advance gives you peace of mind. There is a wooden counter and Private rooms (available for 2 or more people) that are mainly reserved for course meals.

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Nagano Prefecture may not face the sea, but Sakana Yamazaki Ekimae Ten is known for its good seafood.

They serve the day's top picks, such as hon-maguro (bluefin tuna) and nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), so you can enjoy very fresh sashimi and sushi.

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Be sure to try the motsuni (stewed Horumon) as a snack with drinks. The motsu (Horumon) is simmered just right, with a rich yet refined seasoning.

They also serve meat dishes such as basashi (horse sashimi) and local dishes like Shinshu kinoko no tempura (tempura of mushrooms from Shinshu), which you can enjoy with their wide variety of drinks.

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Speaking of Nagano, Banikuman is an izakaya where you can enjoy a full lineup of basashi (horse meat dishes) and local cuisine that lets you experience Nagano’s traditional food culture.

It is popular with locals and busy even on weekdays, so if you know your schedule, it is best to make a reservation before visiting.

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The beautifully presented assortment of basashi (horse sashimi) features the recommended cuts of the day, so you can enjoy the differences in texture and flavor.

Because the meat is so fresh, not only the basashi but also horse meat dishes such as "[Inadani specialty] otaguri (horse offal simmered in miso)" and steak are said to be excellent.

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Oyaki (stuffed wheat flour dumplings), a local Nagano specialty, is a healthy slow food made by wrapping fillings in a wheat flour dough. At this restaurant, they use nozawana (pickled Nozawana greens) and seasonal vegetables for the fillings.

They offer a wide range of alcoholic drinks, including fruit liqueurs unique to Shinshu, known for its high fruit production, as well as sommelier Special local sake.

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Hida Shokujidokoro, with easy access from Nagano Station’s west exit, is a popular restaurant furnished with folk craft style pieces that give it a sense of local history and charm.

During the day, it mainly serves meals, and at night people use it for dinner or as an izakaya (Japanese pub).

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The dish in the photo is hoba-yaki (magnolia leaf grill), a local specialty loved in the Hida region, made by grilling miso, mushrooms, and sansai (mountain vegetables) on a magnolia leaf.

People say every dish is tasty, and there is a wide range of menu items that go well with drinks, including basashi (horse sashimi) and fresh seafood.

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The drinks menu is broad, including Seishu Hida no Onikoroshi (Hida Demon Slayer sake) (350ml), a slightly dry honjozo in a ginjo style, along with Junmai Ginjo Daishinshu (180ml) and wines from Nagano Prefecture.

Be sure to enjoy good drinks and Shinshu soba (buckwheat noodles from Nagano) to round out your day.

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Monzen Sakaba Yamazato is an izakaya where you can fully enjoy Shinshu (Nagano)'s local food, including rare cuts of whole horse meat and local jibie (game meat).

There are counter, table, and zashiki (tatami seating) seats, and Private room options are also available.

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The vivid and beautifully presented assortment of basashi (horse sashimi) is a fitting dish to start the feast. You can also enjoy unusual ways of eating horse meat, such as organ meats and gyoza (dumplings).

They also offer ingredients that let you feel the local nature, such as Shinshu river fish and insect cuisine.

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They offer more than 30 kinds of Shinshu Japanese sake and shochu, so you can choose based on your taste and what pairs well with the food.

Drinks made with Shinshu specialties are also popular, including “Kusabue Tomato Shochu” and “Shinano Daichi Shinshu Apple Sake.”

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Shinshu Sumibi Robata Suehiro, about a 2-minute walk from the Zenkoji Exit of JR Nagano Station, is an izakaya where you can fully enjoy the flavors of Shinshu with authentic charcoal grilled dishes, local ingredients, and local sake.

Its calm atmosphere, modern counter seating, and Private room with a sense of privacy give it the feel of a hidden retreat.

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The charcoal grilled dishes that show off the chefs' skill include Shinshu Premium Gyu (Shinshu Premium Beef) and skewers. The charcoal grilling uses far infrared heat, giving the outside a crisp finish while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

Some reviews also say they were happy to get grilled ayu (sweetfish) or nijimasu (rainbow trout) as the otoshi (small appetizer served before the meal) while waiting for the dishes they ordered.

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They carry local Japanese sake from more than 12 breweries in Shinshu, and the seasonal labels for each time of year come recommended.

Along with Shinshu, they also offer local Japanese sake from Niigata Prefecture, which is known as a major rice-producing region. The premium All you can drink plan is said to include Japanese sake and shochu selected by the owner.

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Uo's Man (Uo's Man) is a seafood izakaya (Japanese-style pub) known for its good selection of professionally selected seafood and Japanese sake from different regions.

The lively interior offers Semi-private room-style table seating and counter seats for small groups.

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At this restaurant, where good seafood arrives from all over Japan, you can enjoy the bounty of the sea prepared in a variety of ways.

The sashimi is especially popular. The slightly thick slices bring out the texture and flavor, and let you really taste how fresh it is.

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They have a wide drink selection, and customers also seem to like the unique system where the price stays the same, but the glass gets bigger with each refill.

For Japanese sake, they offer carefully selected bottles from Nagano and other regions, and there is also a set where you can choose 3 kinds.

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Nagano Ekimae Sakaba is just a 1-minute walk from the Zenkoji Exit front of Nagano Station, and even though it is close to the station, its second-floor location gives it a hidden gem feel.

This izakaya offers fresh local ingredients, regional dishes, and local sake, and it is easy to visit whether you are dining alone or with friends.

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A popular item in reviews is the tatsuta-age (Japanese-style deep-fried) nagaimo (Japanese yam), a local specialty from Matsushiro-machi in Nagano City. It comes in easy-to-eat bite-sized pieces and is perfect as a snack to go with drinks.

For meat dishes, the restaurant also highly recommends its charcoal-grilled "Shinshu Premium Beef Top sirloin Aburi-yaki (lightly seared) (80g)."

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The course with All you can drink includes Shinshu gourmet dishes that let you enjoy the local flavor, such as salt grilled Azumino-produced rainbow trout.

This plan also lets you fully enjoy Yona Yona Ale, a craft beer born in Nagano and Karuizawa, along with 10 kinds of local sake.

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Located just a short distance from Nagano Station, Shinshu Icchome Sakaba Nagano Ekimae Ten is an izakaya that is popular for letting you fully enjoy Shinshu (Nagano region) traditional local food and local sake.

Inside, the restaurant has the homey and approachable feel of a casual neighborhood izakaya. It is a great pick when you want to relax with friends and have a lively time.

The Shinshu cuisine menu offers a variety of dishes, including the fresh and tender "Special basashi (horse sashimi)" and "Shinshu-gyu (Shinshu beef) steak," made with a Nagano Prefecture branded beef.

The "Shinshu on-soba (hot soba)" is said to have a nice firmness and really brings out the good flavor of the dashi broth.

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The self serve drink bar with All you can drink is popular because you can freely enjoy it with your favorite combinations.

They offer beer, wine, and other assorted varieties available, and by paying an extra fee you can also get All you can drink Japanese sake.

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A 1-minute walk from Nagano Station, Jidori to Amiyaki Koshitsu Izakaya Torisho Nagano Ekimae Ten is on the 3rd floor of Nacs Suehiro, where you can also dine and stay overnight. This izakaya is known for its wide variety of Japanese dishes that make the most of quality ingredients, including jidori (local chicken) dishes.

It also has fully private rooms, so it is a great choice when you want to prioritize a sense of privacy.

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A wide range of chicken dishes is popular here, including jidori (local chicken) with the added fragrant aroma of charcoal grill net cooking. Some dishes are also served with yuzu kosho (spicy citrus pepper paste), which adds a fresh flavor and a bit of heat.

The sukiyaki (Japanese sweet savory Hot Pot) is also recommended, and this restaurant uses jidori thigh meat in it.

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They offer assorted varieties available courses with All you can drink, which is a nice plus since you can choose based on your budget and the menu content.

The 9-course "Mankitsu Course" is said to be popular, featuring jidori (local chicken) Teppan-yaki and a closing dish you can choose from either chicken Clay Pot rice or seasonal Clay Pot rice.

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Yakitori Higumo is a yakitori specialist in Karuizawa (a popular highland resort area), in eastern Nagano Prefecture.

It is a stylish single-story standalone house. The refined and calm interior includes counter seats in front of the grill, making it a great place to enjoy like an adult izakaya (Japanese pub).

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The yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) here is said to be delicious, with careful prep that includes how the chicken is cut and skewered. The heat is handled just right, bringing out the quality of the ingredients.

The tsukune soup, known for its tasty dashi broth, and charcoal grilled vegetables from Nagano Prefecture are also recommended..

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You can enjoy Japanese sake, including local labels from each season, starting with sake from Tomono Shuzo in Saku, Nagano Prefecture.

They also offer a solid lineup of alcohol, including whisky and glass or bottle wine (assorted varieties available). To finish, their house-made chicken broth shio and Shoyu Ramen really hit the spot.

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Ishokuan Enishiya in Naka-Karuizawa is a well-regarded restaurant where you can fully enjoy Shinshu (Nagano regional) cuisine made with a strong focus on local production for local consumption.

During the day, many local people stop by for lunch, and at night it seems to shift into the atmosphere of a casual izakaya (Japanese pub).

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The recommended local specialty is Shinshu meibutsu tori no sanzokuyaki (Shinshu specialty mountain bandit-style fried chicken), available in portions ranging from half to 4 pieces.

The chicken, marinated in a house-made sauce, has a nice garlic aroma, and paired with the special sweet vinegar sauce, it seems perfect with a drink.

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They offer a wide drink selection, including Japanese whisky and Japanese sake from Shinshu.

There are selectable All you can drink courses with different lineups and time limits, and if you want to drink at a relaxed pace, the "Gatsubero Plan 120 minutes," which even includes draft beer and Japanese sake, is the top recommendation.

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Shinshu Soba Miyoshiya, near the north exit of Karuizawa Station, is known for its delicious teuchi soba (handmade buckwheat noodles), and at night you can use it like an izakaya dining bar.

The stylish interior, with its finely crafted wood details, and the warm service from the staff create a cozy atmosphere.

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This Shinshu soba (buckwheat noodles from Shinshu) is made with buckwheat flour from Nagano Prefecture. The soba goes down smoothly, and the dipping sauce, made with Nagano soy sauce, mirin, and dashi, is said to be excellent.

They also serve sobako no pizza (buckwheat flour pizza), which is popular for its toasty aroma, and the rich Shinshu miso sauce is said to pair well with it.

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The restaurant serves Japanese and Western small plates that pair well with drinks, including the often sold-out Sea Bream and shungiku (garland chrysanthemum) carpaccio.

For alcohol, they seem to have a full lineup including local sake from Nagano Prefecture, cocktails, and whiskey.