[Tottori Prefecture] Recommended izakaya (Japanese pubs)! 14 picks in Yonago and Tottori City

Photograph:ち～ぴん

Washoku Izakaya Shunmon Yonago Honten is an izakaya about a 3-minute walk from Yonago Station, where you can enjoy Japanese food and drinks made with plenty of local ingredients.

The interior, designed in the style of a traditional kominka (old Japanese house), includes counter seats, table seating, and Private rooms, making it suitable for a wide range of occasions.

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Sakaiminato, next to Yonago, has the highest landed catch of zuwai-gani (snow crab) in Japan, known for its beautiful deep red shell, tender and delicate meat, and strong sweetness.

The hama-yude beni-zuwai-gani (freshly boiled red snow crab) is available in limited quantities. It is one dish you should definitely try when you visit Yonago.

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The photo shows the "Shironegi Ippon-yaki". This popular item features one whole white onion grilled and served with yaki miso (grilled miso).

The area around Yonago City is a well-known production region for shironegi (Japanese long onion). The grilled shironegi is said to have a sweet, melty texture that pairs perfectly with Japanese sake.

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Bishu Kakou Yuraku, located about a 2-minute walk from Yonago Station in Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, is a well-rated izakaya where you can enjoy delicious dishes made with ingredients from Tottori and local sake.

The interior, which makes use of wood-grain decor, has a calm Japanese-style atmosphere. In addition to counter and table seating, there are also fully private rooms, so you can enjoy your meal at a relaxed pace.

Photograph:キザ兄ちゃん

The popular saba-shabu (lightly swished mackerel hotpot) lets you swish thin slices of mackerel in a broth filled with plenty of thinly sliced onions.

You can fully enjoy the rich flavor of mackerel from the Sea of Japan. They also offer a tasting comparison of wild and farmed mackerel. Being able to enjoy the different flavors is part of the appeal.

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The "Beef Steak" uses Tottori Wagyu Olein 55, which contains 55% or more oleic acid in its beef fat.

Because oleic acid has a low melting point, it gives a melt-in-your-mouth texture when you take a bite. The finely textured meat with rich flavor and its sweet fat are well liked.

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Kafura is about a 2-minute walk from Yonago Station and serves alcohol, seafood dishes, and robatayaki (fireside grilling). They offer local gourmet food made with plenty of gifts from the sea and mountains of Sanin (the Sanin region).

From the counter seats, you can see the kitchen and enjoy watching the cooking right in front of you.

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The “Gaina Funamori” is an assortment of sashimi, boldly plated with seafood shipped directly from Sakaiminato (Sakai Port).

With a volume that goes far beyond the listed 2 to 3 servings, it is very filling. It is limited to just 3 orders a day and cannot be reserved, so ordering early is recommended.

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The sushi, made with very fresh toppings, is also well liked. The photo shows the "Nami 9-kan assortment," and the rice is kept small, making it a great match with drinks.

Another popular touch is the way the taisho (head chef) serves the sushi on a large wooden paddle.

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Located in Kakubancho, Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, about a 7-minute walk from Fujimicho Station on the JR Sakai Line, Uorobata Kaiza is a restaurant where you can enjoy Japanese cuisine made with seasonal ingredients from Sanin. At night, you can also enjoy it as an izakaya (Japanese pub).

The interior is a calm space with a touch of elegance. The menu values seasonal flavors and changes with the seasons.

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The "otsukuri (sashimi assortment)" packed with seasonal seafood is extremely fresh. It features fresh fish from around the Sanin region, prepared in the morning, according to reviews.

The sashimi has a firm texture, thick cuts, and rich fat content. The salad topped with sashimi is also popular.

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The popular menu item ara-ni (simmered fish head, collar, and bones) is a dish made by simmering fish head, kama (collar), and bones in a sweet and savory soy sauce broth. It has a rich, deep flavor with plenty of good fish stock coming through.

It is available in limited quantities. Reviews also say that even though it is very filling, it goes down easily.

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Located in Yonago, Tottori, about a 2-minute walk from Yonago Station, Niku to Sakana no Sushi yokaichi Yonago Ekimae is a restaurant where you can enjoy sushi made with fresh seafood and meat.

They also offer wine and Japanese sake, so you can use it as an izakaya as well. In the stylish cafe-like interior, you can enjoy not only sushi but also Western-style dishes such as ajillo.

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The "Exquisite Honjitsu Saiko no 5-kan assortment" is nigiri sushi made with the best seafood and meat procured On-the-Day. The selection changes depending on the day.

The fish is all thick-cut and fresh. As for the meat, they serve Tottori Wagyu, and sometimes horse meat as well.

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The "Umi no Zeitaku na TKG" is rice lavishly topped with uni (sea urchin), ikura (salmon roe), and kani (crab), finished with an egg yolk on top. Break the yolk and mix it in as you eat.

The salty taste of the seafood and the mellow egg yolk come together in perfect harmony. It is said to have a smooth texture that almost melts in your mouth.

Photograph:立ち呑みのりぴー

Taishu Sakaba Futaba Tottori Yonago Ten, located in Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, about a 4-minute walk from Yonago Station, is an izakaya (Japanese pub) where you can enjoy a wide variety of appetizers and drinks.

The retro-modern interior has a bright and lively feel, and with an open terrace and Private room options, it is easy to use whether you are on your own or with a group.

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The "Ebi Shumai (shrimp dumplings)" are popular for their plump, springy shrimp texture. The restaurant makes them Homemade in-house and steams them only after an order is placed.

They are served piping hot, so steam gently rises the moment you open the lid. They are said to be a tasty dish both hot and even after they cool down.

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One of the popular menu items, the "Chicken Kara-age," comes in three flavors: "Honey Soy Sauce Tare (sauce)," "Korean Style Yangnyeom," and "Salt."

All of them pair well with drinks. They are well loved for being hearty and very filling.

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Izai Kamifukuhara Ten is a standalone restaurant in Kamifukuhara, Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, with a large parking lot.

This restaurant serves creative Japanese cuisine made with seasonal ingredients, and it also has a wide selection of Japanese sake, so you can also use it as an izakaya during dinner time.

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The kaiseki course made with seasonal ingredients is well reviewed for being both beautiful to look at and delicious. The contents change depending on what comes in that day.

Along with seafood from the Sea of Japan, the menu features a wide range of carefully crafted dishes using vegetables and meat as well. Part of the appeal is the excitement of not knowing what will come out next.

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The popular "jika-sei potato salad (house-made potato salad)" is a dish topped with tobikko (flying fish roe). You can enjoy its cake-like beautiful look and the unique popping texture of tobikko.

It is great whether you enjoy it alone or share it, and it also pairs perfectly with Japanese sake.

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Shinkatsu, located in Asahimachi, Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture, about a 9-minute walk from Fujimi Station on the JR Sakai Line, is a homey izakaya (Japanese pub) tucked away in a narrow back alley of the entertainment district.

The interior, which feels like an old private home, has a nostalgic and unpretentious atmosphere, and some reviews say it makes you feel as relaxed as if you were at home.

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The fresh "sashimi assortment" is a popular menu item. It comes with a wide variety of very fresh cuts, and people say both the taste and volume are deeply satisfying.

You can also order the sashimi menu A la carte, so it may be nice to mix and match your favorite fish.

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The tender, melt-in-your-mouth "beef tendon stew" has a rich, full-bodied flavor. People love its Homemade taste.

Made with Wagyu and slowly simmered over time, it is also available as the "beef tendon stew Rice bowl" served over rice.

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Located in Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, about an 8-minute walk from Yonago Station, Kakoi is a hideaway-style izakaya with only 10 counter seats.

They serve creative dishes centered on Japanese cuisine, designed to pair well with Japanese sake. In its warm atmosphere, you can fully enjoy great drinks and good food.

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All course meals are available only as Omakase menus. If you let them know in advance, they will also accommodate allergies.

The dishes, based on Japanese style, are beautiful and elegant, with careful attention to the tableware and presentation. They will also suggest Japanese sake that pairs well with the food.

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The “kaki (oysters) and blue cheese tsukudani (food simmered in soy sauce)” is an inventive dish that combines strongly savory ingredients such as oysters, blue cheese, and nama-nori (fresh seaweed).

It gets good reviews for being a flavor that goes great with drinks. They recommend pairing it with Japanese sake that has rich umami and a soft mouthfeel.

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Gyoza Stand Daruma Yonago Kakuban Ten is a Chinese restaurant tucked away in a narrow back alley of the entertainment district, about a 10-minute walk from Fujimi Station on the JR Sakai Line.

The popular menu item is yaki-gyoza (pan-fried dumplings). It is also a place you can enjoy like an izakaya, snacking on gyoza and Chinese dishes.

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The yaki-gyoza (pan-fried dumplings) is a popular item, known for its strong meaty flavor, juicy bite, and taste that goes great with alcohol. The skin is said to have a smooth, slippery texture.

Since it is already well seasoned, they recommend eating it with just a little chili oil.

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The "chuka soba (classic soy sauce ramen)" has a nostalgic old-school soy sauce flavor. The chashu is made with "Daisendori chashu".

The soup made from Daisendori has a sweet, mellow, gentle taste. The clear amber-colored soup clings well to the noodles, making for reliably good flavor.

Photograph:うさぎ☆★

Sandaimeme Amimoto Uosen Suisan Yonago Ekimae Ten is an izakaya chain on the 2nd floor of Yonago Ekimae Parking Building, about a 2-minute walk from Yonago Station, where you can enjoy a wide range of appetizers and drinks.

The interior has a Japanese style, and in addition to table seating, it also offers fully private rooms, making it easy to use for many different occasions.

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The "shiroika (white squid) no sugata-zukuri (whole sashimi presentation)" made with Tottori Prefecture's specialty shiroika is popular for its sticky texture and strong sweetness.

The body is served as sashimi, while the fin and tentacles are made into tempura. The tempura is more fragrant, letting you enjoy the rich squid flavor even more.

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The "Sashimi assortment with hon-maguro (bluefin tuna)" is a plate packed with very fresh seafood, starting with hon-maguro.

The selection changes daily. You can choose the number of sashimi varieties and slices, so it is easy to order based on your group size and budget.

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Sanin Kaisen Robata Kaba Tottori Ekimae Ten is a robatayaki (fireside grill) restaurant located in the arcade shopping street in front of the station, about a 5-minute walk from the north exit of Tottori Station. Here you can enjoy seafood and mountain foods from Tottori and Shimane.

There are many Private room options that can be used for different group sizes, making it a convenient izakaya where you can relax and enjoy drinks in a private space.

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The "sawara (Spanish mackerel) no shio tataki" is a dish made with sawara from Tottori, lightly seared over charcoal to give the surface a rich, toasty aroma. It is served with Okinawan salt, lemon, and wasabi.

The rich, fatty sawara has an almost melting texture. With the added aroma of the charcoal fire, it is said to be so good you will not be able to stop reaching for another bite.

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"Horumon yakisoba" is a popular menu item and a well-known B-grade gourmet dish from Tottori, made with plump beef Horumon.

The "nori-jiru (seaweed soup)" served on the side, packed with plenty of seaweed, is also said to be very good. Both are filling and generous, so you can leave nice and full.

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Aburiya is a hidden izakaya (Japanese pub) tucked away in a narrow alley, about a 4-minute walk from Tottori Station.

This restaurant lets you enjoy seafood from Tottori as sashimi and sumibiyaki (charcoal grilling). The drink menu is also extensive, and you can even find rare local sake.

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The "Kaisen Aburi-yaki Set (assorted flame-grilled seafood set)" is a popular menu item in which five kinds of seafood are fragrant grilled over charcoal. The contents change daily.

The seafood on this day was said to be "sazae (turban shell), hotate (scallop), mocha ebi (Mosa shrimp), hata (grouper), ika (squid), and aji (horse mackerel) overnight dried fish." They cook it to just the right doneness to bring out the flavor of the seafood, and it pairs well with alcohol too.

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The "unagi no kabayaki (grilled eel)" is made Kansai style, with fresh eel grilled over charcoal. People love the crisp skin and the way it is cooked to keep a nice springy texture in the flesh.

You can also have it over rice as an "una-don (eel Rice bowl)." The light, slightly sweet soy-based sauce also brings out the flavor of the eel.

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Kaisen Izakaya Nigiri no Cho-ten is a sushi restaurant on the first floor of an apartment building, about a 5-minute walk from Tottori Station. You can enjoy seasonal seafood landed in Tottori Prefecture.

The interior has a calm Japanese style atmosphere. It is also popular as an izakaya where you can relax and spend your time comfortably.

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You can enjoy a wide range of menu items, including the seasonal "ozukuri assortment (assorted sashimi)," "Daisendori Kara-age," and tempura made with local ingredients.

In summer, they serve Natsuki (a branded oyster from Tottori), and in winter, crab is available. The "shun no kaiseki course (seasonal kaiseki course)" is also popular for giving a sense of the changing seasons.

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The photo shows "Matsubagani (Matsuba crab) sashimi." Matsubagani is a branded crab that colors winter in Tottori, known for its satisfyingly firm texture and rich umami.

The sashimi has a clear, glossy, beautiful look. It is said to taste sweet and melt in your mouth. You can order it either A la carte or as part of a course meal.