Cheers at izakaya in Saga Prefecture! 20 popular spots by area where you can enjoy drinks and otsumami (small plates)

Photograph:暇人サラリーマン

Yakitori Torifumi, about a 3-minute walk from Saga Station, is a yakitori restaurant where you can enjoy jukusei jidori (aged local chicken) and local sake brought in from all over Japan.

The stylish and calm interior has a hideaway feel, with elegant hinoki (Japanese cypress) counter seats.

Photograph:よし195016

The yakitori menu mainly uses jukusei kuro-satsuma-dori (aged Kuro-Satsuma chicken) and kuro-satsuma-dori (Kuro-Satsuma chicken). The owner, who trained for over 10 years in Tokyo and overseas, grills them over binchotan (high-grade charcoal).

Kuro-Satsuma chicken is rich and juicy, and it is said to taste good even after it cools.

Photograph:美味しいご飯好き0912

In addition to local sake from Saga, they also stock a wide selection of sake sourced from around Japan, so many people use it as an izakaya (Japanese pub).

They also offer many a la carte dishes that pair well with drinks, and the "leva mousse (liver mousse)" and "iburigakko cream cheese (smoked pickled daikon with cream cheese)" are said to be especially good as snacks.

Photograph:作業服の通販サイトワワワ━ク グルメ同好会

Sake to Meshi Mame-tan is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy standout dishes made with Saga-gyu (Saga beef) and料理 prepared with seasonal ingredients.

It is located a 4-minute walk from Saga Station. In addition to counter and table seating, the restaurant also has fully private rooms, so it works well for many different occasions.

Photograph:ポティー

You can enjoy fresh Saga-gyu (Saga beef) grilled right in front of you on a Teppan-yaki grill.

The "A5 Rank Saga-gyu Spencer roll Aburi" is juicy and packed with flavor. Topping it with uni (sea urchin) is said to boost the umami even more.

Photograph:あぜりあ

They also have a wide selection of carefully chosen lemon sours and local sake from Saga.

They also offer a wide range of izakaya-style dishes, and the nikushi (simmered skewers) that are slowly cooked let you enjoy the rich flavor of a slightly sweet and savory soy sauce based broth.

Photograph:tabelog.com

Yakitori Kadoya Saga Eki Kitaguchi Ten is a popular spot centered on yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) made with chicken from Kyushu, and it also offers a wide range of small plates and drinks.

The restaurant is in a great location just a 1-minute walk from Saga Station North Exit, and it has counter seats, sofa seats, and Semi-private room seating, making it a space where you can relax and unwind.

Photograph:takebeee

Yakitori made with chicken from Kyushu is popular here. Skilled chefs carefully grill each skewer one by one.

Another draw is the wide variety of yakitori, so you can enjoy many different cuts. The tsukune (chicken meatball skewer) has an elegant look and is said to taste fantastic.

Photograph:最終学歴幼稚園

In addition to a good selection of a la carte dishes that pair well with drinks, they also offer plenty of courses with All you can drink that are perfect for Banquets.

The "jidori (free-range chicken) tataki (lightly seared chicken)" comes with both breast and thigh, so you can enjoy the difference in flavor.

Photograph:グフゲルググ

Kushikatsu Imai is a restaurant about a 4-minute walk from Saga Station, serving kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), authentic shochu, and local sake as its main offerings.

The seating is mainly at the counter, with Sunken kotatsu seating. You can relax and enjoy your meal at an easy pace.

Photograph:シンさん43957

They serve freshly fried kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) made with carefully selected ingredients. Along with sauce, they also offer salt, ponzu sauce, and mayonnaise.

You can also order the skewers as Omakase. The batter is said to strike an excellent balance, neither too thin nor too coarse, making them easy to eat.

Photograph:シンさん43957

They have a wide selection of shochu (Japanese distilled spirit), and the 180-minute All you can drink course also includes Special recommended shochu.

The course meal comes with small side dishes such as refreshing hiyayakko (chilled tofu), which are said to be perfect palate cleansers between bites of kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers).

Photograph:tabelog.com

"Craft Shumai Sakaba NO STAND" is a restaurant that mainly serves original craft shumai (steamed dumplings) and about 50 kinds of drinks. It is located in the shopping complex under the elevated tracks at Saga Station, so access is excellent.

The interior is lined with stylish wood toned furniture, and comes with table seating, terrace seating, and counter seating.

Photograph:食べ歩きまねきネコ

The famous craft shumai (steamed dumplings) are carefully prepared one by one in-house and steamed only after you order them.

The “Shumai Tasting Set,” which lets you enjoy a variety of shumai, is said to be seasoned so well that you hardly need any sauce.

Photograph:shiiiiimo

They offer a wide range of drinks, including beer, highballs, and sours. The menu also has a full lineup of classic izakaya dishes that go great with both drinks and rice.

The "Uma-Kara Ebichiri (spicy chili shrimp)" is said to have a pleasantly spicy seasoning that keeps you coming back for more.

Photograph:tabelog.com

Taishu Kitchen Sumibiya Happou is a restaurant with a warm wooden interior that serves dishes made with ingredients from Saga, including fish, meat, and vegetables, and it also offers Saga Japanese sake and shochu from Kyushu.

The restaurant is on the first floor of the "Toko Building," a 1-minute walk from the north exit of Saga Station.

Photograph:やまちゃん3381352

Because they focus on local production for local consumption, they use ingredients that are almost all from Saga.

The charcoal grilled "Nikumori" is very filling. It is fun that you can compare beef, Kinsei-buta (Kinsei pork), and Arita-dori (Arita chicken).

Photograph:ペコちゃん♡

They also offer a set menu with a choice of kobachi (small side dishes) and a drink, which is great for people who want to stop by an izakaya (Japanese pub) for a quick drink.

The signature nikomi (stewed offal) has a tender, fall apart texture and is said to be so tasty that it goes perfectly with beer.

Photograph:最終学歴幼稚園

Irori Gin is a restaurant where you can enjoy Special red chicken, Kumamoto akaushi (Japanese brown cattle), and Saga beef around an irori (sunken hearth). Tucked away on the first floor of a building, it has a hideaway feel.

The calm interior has counter seats, plus zashiki (tatami seating) that can accommodate up to 26 people.

Photograph:最終学歴幼稚園

With charcoal in the irori (sunken hearth), you can cook and enjoy a range of dishes such as Yakiniku, Hot Pot dishes, and mizutaki (chicken hot pot).

The Horumon comes in two types, one with more fat and one with less fat. When you grill it slowly over charcoal, its toasty aroma really stands out.

Photograph:最終学歴幼稚園

They also offer a wide selection of izakaya-style menu items, including salads, sashimi, snacks, and rice dishes.

The “torikawa ponzu (chicken skin with ponzu sauce)” is said to have a mild citrusy tang from the ponzu that makes it easy to eat, with a flavor that goes well with beer.

Photograph:nicohul

Shunko Sakaba Kiyomizu is a popular restaurant a 2-minute walk from Saga Station, known for its carefully selected local sake and à la carte dishes centered on fish.

It has Private rooms and Semi-private rooms, so you can enjoy your meal in a private setting.

Photograph:とくたん

The signature fish dishes change based on the fresh catch brought in that day.

The sashimi assortment can be ordered from per person, and many reviews rate it highly for being fresh and delicious.

Photograph:とくたん

They have a full drink menu with highballs, sours, beer, and cocktails, so you can also use it as an izakaya (Japanese pub).

The "Tebasaki no Kara-age (deep-fried chicken wings)" goes perfectly with drinks, and the bones have been prepared so they are easy to eat.

Photograph:tabelog.com

Kame Otake is a well-regarded spot near Hakusan Arcade, known for its nice grown-up hideaway mood, where they serve seasonal ingredients in the chef’s Omakase course.

Inside, the calm Japanese-style space has both counter and table seating.

Photograph:トヨ1044

They offer Omakase courses with food only that you can choose by budget, as well as izakaya (Japanese pub) standard courses that come with All you can drink.

The sashimi assortment is served one portion per person. Every piece is fresh and said to be very good.

Photograph:かちろー 7700

In addition to local sake, they also offer shochu (Japanese distilled spirit), fruit liqueurs, and whisky.

The food they serve is also said to pair well with the drinks. The course content is also very Manzoku, and the volume is said to be just right.

Photograph:tabelog.com

Izakaya Kinkan Minamiguchi Ten is a restaurant where you can enjoy tasty food from Saga and Kyushu, including fish and meat dishes, and it is just a 3-minute walk from the south exit of Saga Station, so access is excellent.

They also have Private room seating, so if you want to relax and enjoy the food and drinks without worrying about the people around you, that is a good option.

Photograph:すーあーめい

They serve seasonal fish selected with a keen eye at the fish market, prepared in many different ways such as sashimi, fried dishes, and grilled dishes.

The sashimi assortment served in the course uses fish caught that day, so the freshness is said to be outstanding.

Photograph:VagrantDays

The drink menu offers a wide selection, including wine, chu-hai (shochu highball), Chinese liquor, and whisky.

Courses with classic izakaya dishes and All you can drink are popular. There are also courses where you can enjoy basashi (horse sashimi) from Kumamoto and Saga Kuroge Wagyu (Saga Japanese Black Wagyu), a local specialty.

Photograph:みぽりん6896

Kanouya is a restaurant that takes seafood from the fish tank installed inside the restaurant and cooks it on the spot. They also offer a wide selection of local sake from Saga Prefecture and other places across Japan.

The lively interior has counter seats, table seating, and Private room seating.

Photograph:みぽりん6896

Seafood from the Genkai-nada (Genkai Sea) is served here as creative cuisine.

Saga's local specialty, "ika no ikizukuri (live squid sashimi)," is said to have a stunning assortment of translucent slices. Diners are often surprised by its strong sweetness and umami.

Photograph:みぽりん6896

Course meals with fish dishes and All you can drink are also popular. They also have a wide range of à la carte dishes that pair well with local sake.

Uniku is a luxurious dish made with Saga gyu (Saga beef) topped with uni (sea urchin). The mix of bounty from the sea and the land is excellent, and it also goes perfectly with Japanese sake.

Photograph:sushibou

Sakanaya Dojo Saga Minamiguchi Ten is in a convenient location just a 4-minute walk from Saga Station. It focuses on fish dishes and Japanese sake, and serves fresh fish from the fish tank inside the restaurant.

With Sunken kotatsu seating and Private room options available, it can accommodate groups of all sizes, from small to large.

Photograph:mizu0585

They prepare and serve fresh fish that arrives that day.

The sashimi assortment goes perfectly with Japanese sake and shochu. It is said to have great fish flavor, and it is fun to enjoy a variety of different fish.

Photograph:ねりまる

A staple at izakaya in Saga, "katsuika (live squid)," is served on a black plate that makes the beauty of its translucent flesh stand out.

It is said to have a smooth mouthfeel and just the right amount of springy texture that keeps you coming back for more. It also pairs well with chilled sake.

Photograph:tabelog.com

Robata Hachikku is a well-reviewed restaurant known for its tasty wara-yaki (straw-fired dishes) and nikumaki (meat rolls). It also offers a wide selection of drinks, including beer, Japanese sake, and shochu. One popular interactive service is the draft beer, which comes with a 50円 discount if you pour it yourself.

With an open first floor where you can enjoy the live kitchen and a more private second floor, you can choose the space that fits the occasion.

Photograph:とくたん

Warayaki (straw-fire grilling), which makes katsuo (bonito) and Arita-dori (Arita chicken) even more delicious, is the signature dish.

Even izakaya menu favorites like edamame and yodare-dori (steamed chicken with spicy sauce), which go perfectly with drinks, are served warayaki-style. They say you can enjoy the aroma unique to warayaki.

Photograph:いまでしょう！

Reviews say the wide selection of drinks pairs well with the snacks, and that the menu ranges from standard izakaya fare to creative dishes, making you want to order all kinds of things.

Among them, the “potato salad” topped with curry takuan (pickled daikon) is a popular item with great visual impact!

Photograph:tabelog.com

"Fukudeba Saga" is a restaurant about a 10-minute walk from Saga Station where you can enjoy fukudeba (Saga's local chicken wings).

The clean interior is fully equipped with counter seats, Private rooms, and Semi-private rooms, so you can choose the seating to match the occasion.

Photograph:とくたん

The signature “fuku-teba (deep-fried chicken wings)” is a Special dish made by seasoning carefully selected ingredients with a secret sauce, deep-frying them, and then sprinkling them with a secret powder.

It is said to have a rich seasoning that goes well with alcohol and an addictive deliciousness.

Photograph:もももち

They offer a wide range of drinks, including beer, highballs, and chuhai, so you can also use it as an izakaya. Course meals with All you can drink are popular.

The signature motsu reta-shabu nabe (offal and lettuce shabu-shabu Hot Pot) features a tasty spicy soup, and you can enjoy it right through to the final dish.

Photograph:tabelog.com

Gyoza Shuka Tomoru is a popular restaurant where you can enjoy kurobuta (Berkshire pork) bite-sized gyoza and basashi (horse sashimi) along with local sake from Saga Prefecture.

The chic and stylish interior has a calm atmosphere, and with all seats being Sunken kotatsu seating and fully equipped with Private room options, you can relax and take your time.

Photograph:shirome-chan

The popular menu item is the "Kurobuta (Berkshire pork) Hitokuchi Gyoza," made with Kagoshima-produced region kurobuta and Domestic vegetables. They carefully make them Homemade in the shop.

Because they are bite-sized, they are said to be so tasty you can keep eating them one after another. They also go perfectly with the house-made special sauce.

Photograph:みぽりん6896

They have a wide selection of Saga sake served chilled or warm, along with all the classic izakaya dishes that go well with drinks.

The fresh basashi (horse sashimi) "tategami (mane cut)" shipped directly from Kumamoto is said to have a melt-in-your-mouth taste.

Photograph:tabelog.com

Camino is a restaurant where you can enjoy carefully made dishes finished with house-made sauces and dressings, and it is located a 10-minute walk from Saga Station.

It also has fully private rooms, so you can enjoy your meal in a private space.

Photograph:あさんどーるのりお

The popular dish here is "chicken Kara-age," eaten with the restaurant's original vinegar soy sauce.

They say the crisp fried coating and the juicy flavor overflowing with meat juices are excellent. It is a classic izakaya dish that goes perfectly with beer.

Photograph:はるか悠

The drink menu includes Saga Prefecture junmai ginjo sake such as "Nabeshima" and "Saki."

There is also a full lineup of snack style dishes. The pork steak comes with a rich sauce and is said to pair perfectly with drinks.

Photograph:tabelog.com

Shunsaidokoro Tachibana is a restaurant where you can enjoy Japanese cuisine made with ingredients from Saga Prefecture and more than 20 kinds of local sake.

The interior has a Japanese style that brings to mind a traditional Japanese restaurant. There are counter and table seats, making it easy to choose what works best for the occasion.

Photograph:ながい_

The signature dish is the “Homemade shumai (steamed pork dumplings),” carefully wrapped in-house.

They say the more you bite into them, the more juicy flavor spills out. Regulars have even left highly rated reviews saying this is a must-order item.

Photograph:meguです！！

They offer so many local sake selections that you can even do a tasting comparison. They also have a wide range of standard izakaya dishes, so you will have no trouble finding something to pair with your drink.

The sashimi assortment, centered on seafood from Saga Prefecture, is said to be outstandingly fresh.

Photograph:さちひで

Shuka Gyonikusai Nijibare is a restaurant that sources ingredients and drinks from across Japan, with a focus on Kyushu. It offers a wide range of Special Japanese sake with care, so you can also use it as an izakaya.

It is a 10-minute walk from Tosu Station, and the interior has Private rooms and Semi-private rooms.

Photograph:みん001

They focus on seafood freshness and serve fish purchased that day as a 5〜8-kind assortment.

The ika no ikizukuri (live squid sashimi) is said to have amazing transparency. It not only looks beautiful, but also tastes sweet and delicious.

Photograph:193-chan

Reservations are required by the day before for course meals made with fresh seafood and seasonal ingredients.

The main dish, Saga-gyu (Saga beef) steak ranked A5, is said to have rich meat flavor and a tender texture that makes it easy to enjoy.

Photograph:たこやきくん

Shokusai Kendama is a restaurant where you can enjoy creative dishes based on Japanese cuisine, located a 10-minute walk from Tosu Station.

The chic and calm interior features Private rooms throughout, making it easy to use for a wide range of occasions, from small groups to larger parties.

Photograph:みん001

The restaurant mainly serves classic izakaya favorites such as fresh sashimi and meat dishes.

As for Saga-gyu (Saga beef), you can order Sirloin cap or Chateaubriand depending on what they have in stock. Since the menu lineup varies by day, some reviews said that each visit brings something new to look forward to.

Photograph:やぴ0123

They offer a food-only course and Banquet courses with All you can drink.

Every dish is carefully prepared, and each one is said to be delicious. The "sashimi assortment" is said to stand out for its bright colors and freshness.

Photograph:tabelog.com

Tengu Chaya, about a 3-minute walk from Karatsu Station, is a restaurant where you can enjoy Karatsu specialties with local sake from Saga.

The interior of this three-story restaurant has a somewhat nostalgic feel. It offers zashiki (tatami seating), Private room, and Sunken kotatsu seating, so you can choose what suits the occasion.

Photograph:chiffonon

Karatsu meibutsu (Karatsu specialty) "ika shumai (steamed squid dumpling)" is said to be fun to eat because of the texture of the thinly sliced squid. It also goes great with karashi (Japanese mustard).

The otoshi (small appetizer) dashimaki tamago (Japanese rolled omelet) is also said to have a soft, fluffy texture that shows the care put into making it.

Photograph:ちび 唐津&東京

The lineup of Saga local sake, Specially selected by the owner, is appealing because you can enjoy it based on your mood and taste. They also offer a full range of izakaya menu items that pair well with the drinks.

The “kujira (whale) tatsuta-age (Japanese-style fried)” is said to be crisp and tasty.