If you're drinking in Gunma Prefecture, start here! 20 popular recommended izakaya (Japanese pubs)

Photograph:トゥドール太郎

Hoderi is a Japanese-style pub located a 5-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Takasaki Station. Surrounded by natural solid wood, stone, and other raw materials, it offers a stylish and warm space where you can enjoy tasty food and drinks.

It is a popular place, so making a reservation is recommended. It has both counter and table seating.

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They offer 3 courses including options with All you can drink, and you can also order from the à la carte menu. They have a wide selection of drinks, including local sake from Gunma Prefecture, Japanese sake, and wine.

The photo shows their signature "gyu-motsu nabe (beef offal Hot Pot)," which pairs well with Japanese sake. It is made with plump Gunma-produced beef offal and vegetables, finished in a special soup.

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The "katsuo no wara-yaki (straw-seared bonito)" is another house specialty, made by boldly searing bonito from Kochi Prefecture over rice straw. Each slice is thick, and it has a great taste that lets you enjoy more umami the more you chew. It also goes well with drinks.

Both specialties are available a la carte, and you can also enjoy them in any course menu.

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Excellent Gunma Food Sanzu is on the second floor of a building, a 3-minute walk from the West Exit of JR Takasaki Station, where you can enjoy creative dishes made with ingredients from Gunma Prefecture and a wide selection of local sake from Gunma Prefecture.

The calm interior also comes with fully private rooms, and every seat is Sunken kotatsu seating.

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They offer three courses with All you can drink that let you enjoy delicious food from Gunma Prefecture, along with a wide selection of à la carte dishes including izakaya menu favorites.

The photo shows their homemade "Joshu-gyu (Joshu beef) Hamburger Steak," made with 100% Joshu-gyu, one of Gunma Prefecture’s signature branded beefs. It is said to be excellent, with juices overflowing from the meat.

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The photo shows the most popular item, the "Ebara Herb Pork Yoganseki (lava stone) Steak," made with pork raised without medication in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, and it is said to have a nice natural sweetness from the meat itself.

It is served with steak sauce or with salt and wasabi, depending on your preference, and because it comes out on a Teppan-yaki plate, you can enjoy it hot and tasty.

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Nihon no Sake to Uma no Niku Uma○ Takasaki Ekimae Ten is a horse meat specialty izakaya near JR Takasaki Station, where you can enjoy local Gunma Japanese sake as well as Japanese sake from around Japan with horse meat.

The Japanese modern interior has Sunken kotatsu seating and fully private rooms. It is said to be a comfortable, relaxing space where you can settle in and unwind.

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They offer a wide range of courses with all you can drink and a la carte options. There is also an all you can drink course on its own, as well as a tasting menu where you can compare 3 Japanese sake varieties of your choice.

They have a rich selection of dishes made with grilled horse meat. The photo shows the “baniku-kushi (horse meat skewer),” which pairs perfectly with Japanese sake. The juicy “Tokusei Baniku Hamburger Steak” is also popular.

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"Baniku no Sukiyaki" horse meat sukiyaki lets you enjoy fresh horse meat in a piping hot pot. If you like, dip it in raw egg for a Japanese style taste. They recommend not overcooking it.

The drinks are also very unique, including options like "Japanese sake × cream soda," which lets you enjoy Japanese sake almost like a dessert drink.

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Kaisen Ichiba Karakkaze, where you can enjoy Premium fresh seafood and local sake from Gunma Prefecture, is a seafood izakaya popular with locals as well.

It is located right near the West Exit of JR Takasaki Station, inside Central Hotel Takasaki along Symphony Road. The interior has a Japanese feel and offers both table seating and zashiki (tatami floor seating).

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At the back of the photo is the most ordered item, "Choose Your Favorite! 9-piece 3-item sashimi assortment." The super fresh sashimi is said to be great, and it also pairs really well with local sake from Gunma Prefecture.

They offer both All you can drink courses and an a la carte menu, so you can enjoy it however you like. A sake tasting menu featuring local sake from Gunma Prefecture is also recommended.

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The signature dish, "jikasei motsu-nabe nikomi (house made offal Hot Pot stew)," has kept the same flavor since the restaurant first opened. The motsu simmered for a full day is said to be very tender with deep flavor. It is such a popular menu item that it sells out, so going to the restaurant early is recommended.

Besides that, you can also enjoy a wide range of izakaya menu items and daily specials.

Located near JR Takasaki Station on the second floor of a building along Higashi Sanjo-dori, Gyutan Umakoi Takasaki Ekimae Ten is a popular izakaya where you can enjoy Beef Tongue shabu-shabu and carefully selected horse meat dishes.

With thoughtful lighting and wallpaper, the interior has a warm Japanese style, and every seat is in a fully private room.

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The photo shows the restaurant’s signature "Beef Tongue shabu-shabu," with each slice of meat beautifully arranged, and it is also well liked for how it looks.

You enjoy the Beef Tongue by dipping it in a collagen-rich soup Hot Pot. It also comes with an original dipping sauce and yakumi (condiments).

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The photo shows the "Whole Seared Beef Tongue Sushi," which lets you fully enjoy the rich flavor of Beef Tongue and is said to be so good you can eat it just as it is, without adding anything.

Horse meat is said to be low in calories and fat while also pairing well with alcohol. As one of the restaurant's specialties, it is served in a wide range of dishes.

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Located just steps from JR Takasaki Station, Jidori to Amiyaki Koshitsu Izakaya Torisho Takasaki Ten is a popular izakaya where you can enjoy Japanese food made with carefully selected jidori (local chicken).

The interior is a refined Japanese-modern space, and all seats are in Private rooms, with Semi-private room and fully private room options, making it easy to use for different occasions and group sizes.

Photograph:ハングリーくん

The photo shows the restaurant's signature jidori (local chicken) chicken suki Hot Pot, which lets you enjoy fresh jidori in an iron pot. It is popular because the more it simmers, the more the soup soaks into the chicken and makes it taste great.

They offer courses with All you can drink and an à la carte menu. A nice point is that the All you can drink option lets you order every drink on the menu.

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The photo shows the generously sized and very filling "Chicken Kara-age," which is said to have a crisp, fragrant coating and juicy meat inside, making it a great dish.

Reviews also said that dishes other than the jidori (local chicken) specialties are all tasty and go well with drinks.

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The variety of “takujou hamayaki (tabletop seaside grill)” is extensive, and you can enjoy a wide range of seafood, meat, and vegetables grilled over a net, either as a course or à la carte.

The photo shows “eihire-yaki (grilled stingray fin).” Eihire is the fin of a stingray, a popular delicacy often enjoyed as a snack with alcohol. If you are not sure what to order, the “Omakase Hamayaki Manzai Set” is recommended.

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The drink selection is extensive, with options like jizake (local sake), beer, and sours. They also offer plenty of dishes that pair well with alcohol, so you can take your time and enjoy them together.

The photo shows the "Bukkake Sushi Kobore assortment," a rolled sushi topped with a generous amount of sashimi. It is not only fresh and delicious, but also appealing for its bold presentation.

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Taishu Shokudo Yasubee Takasaki Eki Higashiguchi Ten, an izakaya right outside the East Exit of JR Takasaki Station, is known for its slowly simmered niku-dofu (simmered meat and tofu), the house specialty lemon sour, and a wide selection of tasty, reasonably priced snacks.

The interior is bright and clean, and they say it feels very comfortable. It is fully equipped with table seating in various sizes and Private rooms.

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At this restaurant, you can of course order your favorite drinks and food à la carte, but if you want to enjoy a good drinking occasion at a great price, the All you can eat and All you can drink plan is recommended.

For drinks, "Yasubee Lemon Sour" is a popular choice, along with lemon sour and others. The photo shows the "Tower Lemon Sour," known for its bold look.

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The photo shows the restaurant’s top recommended dish, Niku Dofu "Kuro". This rich and flavorful dish features tendon and tofu simmered in a soy sauce and miso based dashi broth.

They also offer Niku Dofu "Shiro," a lighter option made with beef belly and tofu simmered in a bonito flavored dashi broth. Both are said to be excellent dishes that pair well with drinks.

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Niku Jizake Koshitsu Izakaya Yui Takasaki Ekimae Ten is a creative izakaya on the 4th floor of a building along Kannon-dori, close to the station. Even while in Gunma Prefecture, you can enjoy local dishes from the Kyushu region.

The modern interior is fully equipped with table seating, Sunken kotatsu seating, and Private room options. Every seat is said to offer a spacious and relaxing setting.

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The courses are popular because you can enjoy Kyushu ryori (Kyushu cuisine) at a good value. You can also enjoy fresh basashi (horse sashimi). Every course comes with All you can drink, so they are recommended for people who want to drink a lot.

The contents vary depending on the course price and ingredient availability, but you can choose the main dish from 3 options.

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The "Nakatsu Kara-age" in the photo is Kara-age that originated in Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture, known as a holy land of Kara-age. It is known for its light coating and crisp fry, which lets you enjoy the natural flavor of the chicken.

Each piece is large and satisfying, and it is said to be juicy and delicious, making drinks go down easy.

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Robata to Oden Koronagirai Takasaki Ten, where you can enjoy All you can eat oden and robatayaki (fireside grilling), also offers a wide selection of drinks including Special Japanese sake from around the country.

The interior is a calm Japanese style space, with counter seats, table seats, and Private room seating. The restaurant is a 4-minute walk from the West Exit of JR Takasaki Station.

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The otoshi (small appetizer served at the start) offered when you enter an izakaya is oden (Japanese hot pot items in broth) at this restaurant.

People are talking about how good a deal this place is because that oden comes as All you can eat, and you can enjoy about 10 kinds of ingredients such as daikon radish, konnyaku (firm yam cake), and eggs.

At first, they serve one of each kind, and after that, you go to the dedicated counter to pick whatever you like.

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The menu is packed with izakaya dishes that go well with alcohol, and you can order either courses with All you can drink or from the A la carte menu. They also offer an All you can drink course on its own.

The photo shows “ginsake (coho salmon) no ikura oroshi-gake,” which is perfect as a snack with drinks. It features nicely grilled ginsake topped with ikura (salmon roe) and grated daikon radish.

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Just outside the south exit of JR Maebashi Station, Hakata Taishu Sakaba Sacchan Maebashi Eki Minamiguchi Ten is a casual izakaya where you can enjoy specialties from Hakata (a district of Fukuoka).

The cozy, homey interior is comfortable and always lively, they say. It has counter and table seating.

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This place is run by the famous and popular Hakata ramen shop Hakata Ikkosha, so its Hakata ramen is said to be very good.

Along with the classic Hakata ramen, the menu also offers a range of options such as Hakata Wantanmen (Hakata ramen with wontons) and Hakata Chashumen (Hakata ramen with plenty of chashu pork).

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They offer a wide selection of drinks, including local sake from Fukuoka Prefecture. Every dish is tasty, and all of them pair well with drinks.

The popular menu item “Stamina Teppan-yaki Yakiniku” is known as a dish that goes perfectly with beer. The staff also put on a fun performance by mixing the oil and seasonings on the iron plate right in front of you to make the sauce.

Ureshii Gyoza Baru Ribaaru is a gyoza bar within walking distance of Chuo-Maebashi Station, on the corner of Jibabagawa-dori and Chiyoda-dori in central Maebashi.

With its casual atmosphere, you can enjoy gyoza (dumplings), a wide range of Chinese dishes, and drinks.

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They offer courses with All you can drink and A la carte options, and there is also an A la carte All you can drink course that is great for people who want to enjoy plenty of drinks while ordering the dishes they like.

The "Ureshii Gyoza (Happy Dumplings)" in the photo is made with 80% vegetables and 20% meat, and it gets good reviews for its crunchy cabbage texture and the tasty flavor that comes from the vegetables.

The "Amazu Negi Dare Gyoza" on the left in the photo, deep-fried gyoza topped with house-made green onion sauce, is said to be a light and refreshing dish that also goes great with drinks. The "Ureshii Chahan," which is perfect to finish the meal, is also popular for its hearty portion.

They also offer a wide range of classic izakaya dishes that pair well with drinks.

About a 5-minute walk from Chuo-Maebashi Station, Tenten Ten on the busy Ginza-dori street is a casual tempura izakaya where you can enjoy Special Japanese sake and shochu from around Japan with freshly fried tempura.

The interior has a warm, homey feel with the comfort of wood, and there are counter and table seats.

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The limited-time "Ten-san Set" is an extremely good-value set that comes with up to 3 drinks and 5 kinds of tempura.

The tempura is said to be light, crisp, and tasty, and the ingredients seem to vary depending on the day. The wide selection of drinks is also popular, including beer, shochu, wine, and sours.

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The "motsuni" made by slowly simmering motsu (offal) has a great reputation for being tasty and perfect as a snack with alcohol. It also comes with usuage (thin deep-fried tofu).

A rare find in Gunma Prefecture, one standout feature here is "Jaguchi Shochu All you can drink," where shochu comes right out of the tap. You can enjoy plenty of shochu with the 1-hour All you can drink option.

"Kushiyaki Noragorira" is an izakaya where you can enjoy kushiyaki (grilled skewers) slowly cooked over charcoal along with drinks. They offer a wide selection of Japanese sake and shochu.

The interior, with counter and table seating, is said to be a modern and stylish space. It is located in front of the taxi stand below the stairs at the east exit of JR Shin-Maebashi Station.

You can order either a course with All you can drink or from the a la carte menu. There is also a 2-hour All you can drink course for A la carte orders, with an otoshi (small appetizer).

The photo shows the hearty "French fries." They come out freshly fried and tasty, and they pair perfectly with drinks like beer.

The charcoal grilled skewers made with carefully selected Domestic ingredients are said to be crisp on the outside and juicy inside. If you are not sure what to order, the "Pork and Chicken Omakase 5 Skewer Platter" in the photo is a good pick.

You can also enjoy a wide range of other grilled skewers, including seafood and vegetables.

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Sankai Shubo Akaneya is a popular izakaya where you can enjoy dishes made with fresh seafood and vegetables from Gunma Prefecture.

The interior has a calm Japanese modern feel and spans two floors, with a range of spaces including counter seats, Sunken kotatsu seating, and Private room options. The restaurant is located in Honmachi, Isesaki City, about a 15-minute walk from Isesaki Station.

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Because the seafood is delivered fresh every day from Tokyo's wholesale market, it has outstanding freshness. The fish and shellfish on offer vary depending on what they can source, but reviews say the sashimi is fresh and delicious.

If you are not sure what to order, the "otsukuri assortment" is a good choice. You can order it from 1人前.

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The "ika-geso tempura (squid tentacle tempura)" in the photo is a perfect dish to go with drinks.

They are also known for a good selection of Japanese sake to enjoy with the tasty snacks, and if you want to try sake from Gunma Prefecture, the "sanshu nomikurabe (three-sake tasting set)" is recommended because you can casually compare three local sakes from the area.

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Kushiyaki Kumehachi is a kushiyaki restaurant where you can enjoy charcoal grilled skewers made with Akagi-dori (Akagi chicken) from Gunma Prefecture and vegetables. It is about a 10-minute walk from Isesaki Station, on a side street just off Honmachi-dori.

Inside, the warm wooden interior creates a Japanese-style space, with counter seats, table seats, and Private room Sunken kotatsu seating.

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They offer multiple courses, including courses with All you can drink, as well as an à la carte menu. They also have a wide selection of drinks, including Special Japanese sake and shochu, so you can enjoy kushiyaki (grilled skewers) in a casual izakaya style.

Among the kushiyaki, the yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) is especially popular for being so good. They use Akagi-dori (Akagi chicken), known for its low fat and firm meat.

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This is a meat maki (meat-wrapped skewer) dish with vegetables wrapped in meat and served on skewers, and you can enjoy a total of 5 kinds, including tomato and cheese.

They also offer skewers of Akagidori (Akagi chicken), a Gunma specialty, along with vegetable skewers and seafood skewers. You can take your time and enjoy the wide selection of skewers with a drink.

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Yakitori Izakaya Koshin is a popular spot where you can enjoy yakitori made with Date-dori (Date chicken) from the Tohoku region, along with a la carte dishes made with seasonal ingredients.

The interior is a stylish Japanese modern space that feels very comfortable. It has both counter and table seating.

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The photo shows "kashiwa," made with Date-dori (Date chicken) and said to be packed with its rich flavor, and "kashira," a cut from the pig's head.

By carefully grilling them over charcoal, the inside turns tender and juicy while the outside gets nicely browned and fragrant. You can also really taste the full flavor of the Date-dori.

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The menu item in the photo is the daily "sashimi three-item assortment," made with morning-caught fresh fish shipped directly from Tokyo's wholesale market, and every selection lets you enjoy seafood with outstanding freshness.

The drink lineup is also extensive, featuring Japanese sake and wine personally selected by the owner, and the restaurant is known for offering a great range of yakitori and sashimi that pair perfectly with the drinks.

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Saitamaya, located on Jizo-dori just a short walk from Yubatake (hot water field), the symbol of Kusatsu Onsen, is an izakaya where you can enjoy carefully prepared dishes made with Special ingredients, mainly sourced from Japan.

The building has a Japanese feel, and the interior is clean with a calm atmosphere. It has counter seats and table seats.

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They offer a wide range of dishes that pair well with beer, Japanese sake, and local sake.

The “5-skewer pork assortment” in the photo is a popular dish that lets you enjoy 2 kinds of skewers made with Joshu Mugi Buta (Joshu Barley Pork), a brand pork from Gunma Prefecture, and 3 kinds of skewers made with Domestic pork. Joshu Mugi Buta has no off notes and is known for its light sweetness.

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Shown in the photo, "Joshu Meibutsu Motsu Nikomi" is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy local food from Gunma Prefecture. Recommended by the owner, this dish lets you savor slowly simmered motsu (offal).

They also offer local sake from Gunma and fruit liqueurs from Gunma, which you can enjoy with the food.

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Shunsen Washoku Fukuichi is a Japanese-style izakaya known for its fresh seasonal seafood.

The interior has a calm, modern Japanese feel, with counter seats, table seats, and zashiki (tatami seating). Even though it is away from the station, it has many repeat customers, so it is best to make a reservation if you already know your plans.

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You can order both course meals and A la carte. The menu seems to change depending on the day, and the seafood dishes in particular have a reputation for being very good.

The sashimi, said to be extremely fresh, comes in a wide range of A la carte options. If you are not sure what to order, the "osashimi assortment" available from 1人前 is recommended.

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Along with seafood, they also serve meat dishes such as Wagyu and chicken. The presentation is beautiful too, and it is well reviewed as a place where both your eyes and your taste buds can feel Manzoku.

They also have a full lineup of drinks that pair well with their carefully prepared dishes, including rare Japanese sake and Domestic wines. They offer many kinds of Japanese sake, and they also have assorted varieties available beyond what is listed on the menu.

Yakitori Yukidori is a yakitori restaurant located just a short walk from JR Annaka Station. They also offer a wide selection of local sake from Gunma Prefecture, and you can casually enjoy yakitori here like at an izakaya (Japanese pub).

The interior is stylish, compact, and calm, with both counter and table seating.

The popular yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) is slowly grilled over charcoal. It is said to be fragrant on the outside, tender on the inside, and full of flavor, making drinks go down easy. They also offer skewers of pork and vegetables.

They also have a wide lineup of drinks that pair well with kushiyaki (grilled skewers), including beer, shochu, and Japanese sake.

Photograph:食は結びだね

The "Chicken Shio Ramen" in the photo is a popular menu item that many people order to finish the meal. It has a rich, tasty soup, the portion is just right, and it is so easy to eat that people finish it in no time.

They also serve special dishes made with vegetables from Gunma Prefecture. Each one is carefully prepared and said to be very good.