[Aomori Prefecture] 18 Recommended Izakaya by Area

Photograph:川井 潤

Shunzakana Hideka, an easy stop near Aomori Station, is an izakaya Japanese-style pub popular for its homey atmosphere that keeps local customers coming back.

They also offer a wide selection of local sake that you can enjoy along with fresh seafood and Aomori Prefecture’s regional dishes.

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Aomori has a wide variety of local dishes made with regional ingredients, and one of them is “hotate no kaiyaki miso (miso flavored egg dish cooked in a scallop shell).”

This miso flavored egg dish is served in a hotate shell and is said to be perfect as a snack to go with drinks.

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With a focus on local Aomori Japanese sake such as Denshu and Houhai, they offer about 100 kinds of Japanese sake.

For snacks, the super fresh seafood is also recommended, including the catch of the day in the tsukuri assortment and hon-maguro (bluefin tuna) sashimi.

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At the izakaya Sakana Dining Kokoro, you can enjoy a wide range of dishes, from standard options made with fish and meat to creative cuisine.

The chic interior offers counter, table, and zashiki (tatami seating) seats, as well as Private rooms available for 2 people and up.

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The “Kuroge Wagyu (Japanese Black Wagyu) Steak with Wasabi” has been a popular menu item since the restaurant first opened, and lets you enjoy the rich flavor of Special meat.

They also recommend dishes made with seasonal fresh seafood, including sushi hand-formed with the day’s top pick of seafood.

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In addition to Japanese sake that pairs well with washoku (Japanese cuisine), they offer a wide selection of drinks including wine and cocktails, so you can match them with each dish.

Besides local Japanese sake from the Tohoku region, they also carry well-known labels such as Dassai from Yamaguchi.

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Shuko Shun Mittsuishi is an izakaya known as a relaxing space where you can enjoy drinks at a leisurely pace, with lighting made from Tsugaru Kanayama-yaki (Tsugaru Kanayama ware) pottery and a warm wooden feel.

It has Private rooms that can accommodate anywhere from small groups to larger parties, making it useful for many different occasions.

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In Aomori Prefecture, which faces the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan, and Mutsu Bay, a wide variety of seafood is landed.

The "sashimi assortment" adds color to the table and also makes a great snack with drinks. Be sure to enjoy it with a glass from an Aomori sake brewery.

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Among the dishes made with local ingredients, regulars especially recommend kaiyaki miso (miso grilled in a shell). Since you finish cooking it yourself, you can enjoy it fresh off the grill.

The “Nihon no Takara Mutsuwan-san Hotate (Katsu Hotate) Kaisen Kaiyaki Miso” is said to be a luxurious dish topped with sea urchin and crab.

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Nebuta no Kuni Takakyu is a popular restaurant known for its live performances of Tsugaru shamisen, which has its roots in the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture, and nebuta-bayashi (festival music performed during the Aomori Nebuta Festival).

As this restaurant is by reservation only, it is best to book for a time that matches the performance schedule.

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At live events where you can experience the music and culture of Aomori (Aomori Prefecture), the staff and guests all get into the fun together.

Reviews highly praise the service, and in the pleasant atmosphere, you can enjoy local specialty izakaya dishes.

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"Iwaki-san Meibutsu Dakekimi Tempura" is a local dish made by coating and deep-frying brand corn grown at the foot of Iwaki-san (Mount Iwaki) in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture.

To go with local sake, they also highly recommend "Hirosaki Densho no Aji Igamenchi," made by deep-frying ika geso (squid legs) and vegetables together in oil.

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At Izakaya Shinemon, they serve seasonal ingredients throughout the year, creative Japanese cuisine, and a wide range of alcoholic drinks.

The interior has counter seats, zashiki (tatami seating), and Private room seating, making it a good fit for solo diners and groups alike.

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Seafood picked that day by a pro at the market. The sashimi assortment features fresh seasonal fish, with the varieties said to taste best at that time.

For drinks, they offer Special Japanese sake labels from Aomori and other regions, plus shochu and wine, making it a great fit for a night when you want a drink.

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The photo shows a whole fried bulb of the Aomori Prefecture Tago Town brand garlic, Tago ninniku (Tago garlic).

Each bulb is large, with a soft and fluffy texture. At this restaurant, you can take your time enjoying blessings from the sea and the mountains.

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"Sengyo Sosaku Diningu Hoido-ya" is a well-reviewed place known for its lineup of fresh fish dishes that pair perfectly with drinks. The restaurant name "hoido" apparently means "greedy" in a dialect from the Tohoku region.

This izakaya has a wide range of A la carte dishes and courses with All you can drink. It also has Private room options available for groups of 2 or more, making it easy to use for many different occasions.

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The assortment of fresh fish, brought out at its best with top level bleeding techniques and careful aging, is a dish that lets the quality of the ingredients shine.

For seafood dishes, there are menu items that go well with Japanese sake, such as the local specialty hotate kaiyaki miso (grilled scallop miso) and hokke aburi-yaki (seared Atka mackerel).

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They have a great selection of alcohol, including beer and the world’s five major whiskies, with assorted varieties available. On the All you can drink menu, you can choose from about 150 kinds of drinks.

The course with All you can drink is a plan that lets you enjoy dishes made with seasonal flavors.

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Sakena Shunsai Rikari is an izakaya (Japanese pub) loved by regulars, with Private room options that make it easy to use for anything from small groups to meals with friends.

They offer courses with All you can drink so you can enjoy a wide range of alcohol, making it a great fit when you want to have a fun night out together in Aomori.

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The recommendation is meat dishes from Aomori Prefecture. Among them, the brand beef Kuraishi-gyu (Kuraishi beef), served on the restaurant's original kawarayaki (tile grilling), is especially popular.

For kawarayaki, they heat kawara (traditional Japanese roof tiles) often used on Japanese house roofs, and diners grill the ingredients on top just the way they like.

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Aomori Prefecture is famous for making Japanese sake. Its culture of Japanese sake, rooted in the region through the use of locally produced rice and water, is said to be highly regarded.

The menu features local Japanese sake selected by the owner, and you might come across a rare bottle.

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Sushi Teppan-yaki Hiiragi is a restaurant that serves a wide variety of dishes, from seafood and Teppan-yaki made with Domestic Wagyu to izakaya menu items.

In addition to à la carte options, they offer multiple courses that are easy to choose from depending on the occasion.

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From the counter seats, you can watch the chefs at work, and people love the live feel that lets them enjoy the experience with all five senses.

Reviews also say that the atmosphere created by the owner and staff is great, and their lively conversation keeps the laughter going.

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You can enjoy sashimi and sushi made with fresh fish delivered from markets in Aomori and Sapporo.

At this restaurant, where you can drink Japanese sake from around Japan, they also serve a la carte dishes that pair well with drinks, such as the richly flavored geso-goro miso-yaki (grilled squid legs with squid innards miso).

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Shiki no Aji Hajime is a popular spot that is perfect when you want to enjoy Japanese sake by yourself at the counter.

It also has Private room and table seating, so you can relax and enjoy great food while talking. Reviews were very positive, saying everything was delicious and that they would like to come again.

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Seafood dishes are popular as snacks to go with drinks. Many customers order sashimi, and sometimes seasonal fish with rich fat or maguro (tuna) appears on the menu.

Besides seafood, they also serve meat dishes, and the Sakura-hime-dori (Sakura Princess chicken) tatsuta-age (Japanese-style fried chicken) is said to have a nicely crisp and fragrant coating.

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The izakaya menu includes local specialties from Aomori and Japanese dishes that pair well with Japanese sake.

The Japanese sake selection is Special and comes from both inside and outside the prefecture. Reviews also said that if you share your preferences, the staff will suggest recommended labels.

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Sandai-me Amimoto Uosen Suisan Aomori Ekimae Shinmachi Ten is an izakaya located about a 4-minute walk from JR Aomori Station, in a spot with easy access. The menu has so many options that, according to reviews, you may not be able to try everything you want in one visit, making it a place that will have you wanting to come back.

With box seats and Private room available for everyone from pairs to large groups, it is also recommended when you want to prioritize a sense of privacy.

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The menu features seafood dishes centered on maguro (tuna). Among them, the sashimi of hon-maguro (Pacific bluefin tuna), considered a premium tuna, comes recommended.

In the assortment that includes hon-maguro, you can enjoy flavors of aosa (green laver), soy sauce, and sesame sauce.

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In addition to food menu items such as Aomori (Aomori Prefecture) local dishes and Special farm-to-table dishes, they also offer a wide selection of alcohol.

The lineup is extensive, with sours mixed with local specialties from around Japan, Japanese sake from both inside and outside the prefecture, and the manager's top recommended wines.

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Hirosaki City in Aomori Prefecture is an area with a long history of thriving as a castle town. It is home to Hirosaki Park, a famous spot for cherry blossoms.

In Hirosaki City, about a 3-minute walk from Hirosaki Station on the JR Ou Main Line, Tsugaru no Sakedokoro Watami is an izakaya where you can enjoy ingredients from Aomori and local dishes.

They offer a wide selection of sake, including well-known local Aomori labels such as Houhai and Mutsu Hassen, as well as famous brands from across Japan.

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When it comes to local gourmet food, there are menu items that make great snacks with drinks or dishes To finish, such as Hirosaki igamenchi (squid fritters) and Jusan-ko shijimi ramen (freshwater clam ramen).

The Kara-age and Hot Pot dishes made with Aomori Prefecture's premium jidori (local chicken), Shamrock, are also recommended, and are said to have a rich, savory taste.

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You can also take your time and enjoy the drinks with the All you can drink option or a seasonal tasting set.

The local sake lineup includes more than 100 varieties, from well-known labels to bottles that are not widely available, making it hard to resist for Japanese sake lovers.

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Near Hirosaki Castle, Ishi to Sakana Jiraiya Hirosaki Ten is an izakaya serving ishi-yaki (stone grilled dishes) and fresh seafood dishes.

Private room are available even for small groups, so you can enjoy your meal in a relaxed atmosphere without worrying about other guests watching you.

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The restaurant’s specialty ishiyaki (stone-grilled) dishes are served piping hot on a lava plate. They use a range of ingredients including Wagyu, Domestic beef, live hotate (scallops), and vegetables.

In addition, local dishes such as the “Aomori-produced whole deep-fried garlic,” seasonal flavors, and creative dishes with thoughtful twists are also recommended.

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The owner carefully selects the ingredients, and the seafood brought in daily is also popular.

They also offer a wide range of alcoholic drinks, including shochu, Aomori local sake, and fruit liqueurs, with enough variety to match your taste and the food.

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Sushi to Jizake Jiraiya Hirosaki Ten is an easy-to-use izakaya (Japanese pub) with Private rooms of various sizes. Inside, indirect lighting and the warmth of wood create a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

The Sunken kotatsu seating, where you take off your shoes, looks like a great place to unwind and relax after a long day.

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The seafood dishes use plenty of fish and shellfish from Aomori Prefecture.

Sushi made with Special toppings such as fish that are in season right now. There is a wide range of sushi, including nigiri and makimono (rolled sushi), and among them is the "Kiwami! Nama Uni Maki (Ultimate Fresh Sea Urchin Roll)," limited to two per table.

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For seafood dishes and local Japanese cuisine, Aomori-style Japanese sake is highly recommended.

Along with local sake that suits the season, shochu from different regions is also available. Be sure to check out the several courses that come with All you can drink, which you can choose based on the contents and your budget.

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Kaisen Sakaba Hamayaki Gyoko is an izakaya popular for its hamayaki (seaside-style grilled seafood), where you grill the seafood yourself at the table.

The interior is made up entirely of Private rooms, making it a good fit for everything from solo drinks to lively group gatherings with family and friends.

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One big draw of hamayaki (Japanese seaside-style grilled seafood) is that you grill the seafood yourself on the tabletop stove, so you can enjoy it with all five senses, from the aroma to the way it sizzles as it cooks.

They also offer the "Kai no Housekibako Set" with scallops and shiro hamaguri (white hard clams), as well as the "Ika Marugoto Set," which lets you enjoy squid from Hachinohe, Aomori, together with its wata (innards).

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These are ocean delights with outstanding freshness, caught just this morning. The sashimi assortment made with local seafood and the kaisen-don (seafood Rice bowl) "Kaisen-don (with today's sashimi)" are also recommended.

For Japanese sake, they offer everything from standard picks to rare local labels.

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Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture, facing the Pacific Ocean, is one of the prefecture’s leading port towns, and Nanbu Mingei Ryori Kura in Hachinohe is known as a place where you can dine around an irori (traditional sunken hearth) and enjoy a meal in a distinctly Japanese setting.

It is also in a convenient location about a 10-minute walk from Hon-Hachinohe Station, and some reviews said that if you stop by here while sightseeing in Aomori, you can enjoy a full range of local specialties all in one place.

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Ichigo-ni (sea urchin and abalone clear soup) is a clear soup made with premium sea urchin and abalone. It has no off notes, and the Fresh Scent of the Ocean is said to be wonderful.

This traditional dish from Hachinohe is often eaten at celebratory gatherings such as New Year in the local area.

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senbei-jiru (cracker soup) is also one of the local specialty dishes loved in Hachinohe. It is made by simmering Nanbu senbei (traditional wheat crackers) in broth.

They also serve Japanese sake from Hachinohe, so you can enjoy it like an izakaya. One Tabelog reviewer mentioned drinking it from a Nanbu tetsubin (cast iron kettle).

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Izakaya (Japanese-style pub) Hachinohe Sakaba Ginga, in the center of Hon-Hachinohe, has a glass-front entrance that gives it an easy, walk-in feel.

Some guests enjoy spending time on their own at the counter seats. The restaurant offers many dishes that get high marks for taste, and it also has a wide selection of Japanese sake.

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A recommendation is the thick cut maguro (tuna) sashimi, with its beautiful lean red meat. The moist, melt-in-your-mouth maguro is said to spread rich umami and sweetness across your palate.

Besides A la carte options, a gorgeous sashimi assortment that includes hon-maguro (Pacific bluefin tuna) is also popular.

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They offer not only local Japanese sake from Aomori Prefecture, but also carefully selected labels from outside the prefecture.

Japanese sake served generously in a masu (wooden sake cup), or slowly enjoyed from a tokkuri (traditional sake flask) with a narrow spout and rounded body, also has a nice traditional Japanese feel.

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Sumibiyaki Tori Gochi is a yakitori restaurant with a hideaway feel, tucked away a little from the busy downtown area.

Reviews say the owner and staff are friendly and easy to talk to, so you can enjoy a comfortable meal at the counter. The restaurant also has tatami seating and fully private rooms.

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Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) is a dish made by skewering cut pieces of chicken, seasoning them, and grilling them.

At this restaurant, each skewer is prepared by hand one by one, and the heat is adjusted based on the condition of the meat and charcoal. For seasoning, you can choose either their additive-free homemade tare (sauce) or salt.

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In addition to yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), they offer a wide range of izakaya dishes, including root vegetables and motsu (offal) simmered with spicy miso in the dish called "motsu-nikomi (offal stew)".

There is also a large selection of drinks, including highballs with extra-strong carbonation and seasonal Japanese sake, making it easy to choose something that suits the food or your mood.

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"Matsuzen" is an izakaya known for its good seafood dishes and Japanese sake.

About a 3-minute walk from JR Hachinohe Station, it looks like an easy stop even while waiting for the Shinkansen. There are counter seats and a koagari (raised tatami seating area), so you can use it according to your group size.

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The “Namida-maki (tears roll) 1 roll” is a nori roll with chopped wasabi inside. It’s said to be a popular item with a strong wasabi kick that lives up to its name.

Another recommended dish is the “shime saba (cured mackerel) sashimi 1 plate” made with brand mackerel. It is house-made using the simple method of salt and vinegar, which brings out the quality of the fish.

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Some reviews say they have a wide selection of Japanese sake, and some guests chose this restaurant specifically for the Japanese sake.

They offer a broad range of local Hachinohe Japanese sake, including well known labels, so it is also a good idea to taste small amounts of different brands at the same time and compare them.