Cheers at an izakaya in Himeji (Himeji)! 17 recommended spots to drop by while sightseeing

Photograph:ゆういっち39850

Shokusaiya Usagi Machinaka Himeji Ekimae Ten, about a 4-minute walk from Himeji Station, is a popular izakaya where you can enjoy creative dishes supervised by a vegetable sommelier in a refined setting.

The interior has a warm wood-toned space with a unified Japanese-style design. There are also Private rooms available for anywhere from 2 up to 70 guests, so it can accommodate groups of many different sizes.

Photograph:ラコちゃんコウちゃん

One thing you should order first when you visit is the morning catch sashimi assortment. This dish is a generous assortment of seasonal fish.

The fresh fish, Special selected for each season, has an excellent bite and plenty of flavor. You will want to enjoy it with the wide selection of Japanese sake and shochu.

Photograph:KUMAの素

One of the big draws is that you can enjoy not just seafood but also a wide range of classic izakaya dishes, including salads, fried items, and Hot Pot.

They also offer a full lineup of easy-to-enjoy grilled skewer dishes, and the tsukune (chicken meatball skewer) ordered that day had a light texture and a deep meaty flavor.

Photograph:ナナボウ

Himeji Chuka Bar Ka, about a 5-minute walk from Himeji Station, is an izakaya where you can enjoy authentic Chinese food and drinks, making it perfect for casually dropping in.

Despite its simple interior, it has a good atmosphere and gets great reviews. It stays open late into the night, so it is a great place when you want to relax and take your time in the evening.

Photograph:まーくんろ

The menu features a lineup of carefully crafted Chinese dishes, and many of them are pleasantly spicy and pair well with alcohol.

They offer as many as six kinds of their classic gyoza (dumplings), including creative options like mara gyoza (numbing spicy dumplings) and pakuchi gyoza (cilantro dumplings).

Photograph:masaaa.

The signature "Shisen Mabo Dofu (Sichuan mapo tofu)" is a must-try dish. It uses several spices including sansho (Japanese pepper), and is said to let you fully enjoy the taste of authentic Sichuan-style cooking.

It goes well with rice, of course, but they also recommend enjoying it with Shaoxing wine or fruit liqueur.

Photograph:ぐるパス

Gyoro Ura. is an izakaya (Japanese pub) about a 3-minute walk from Himeji Station, where you can enjoy robatayaki (fireside grilling) and Himeji oden (Himeji-style oden) along with a wide range of drinks.

The dim lighting creates a calm, grown-up atmosphere.
The counter seats let you feel the live excitement of robatayaki, while the second-floor seating has a modern feel.

Photograph:Ai Nishiuma

The drink menu is packed with options liquor lovers will love, including unique shochu (Japanese distilled spirit) and limited edition gin.

What you will want to enjoy with a drink in hand is the robatayaki (fireside grilling) cooked slowly over an irori (sunken hearth). The "Gottsui Toro Iwashi" is said to be tender, with just the right amount of salt.

Photograph:shin_924

The Himeji oden (Himeji-style oden), where you pick your favorite ingredients from a large pot simmering away, is also recommended.

The refined flavor of the dashi stands out, with ginger adding a nice accent. In addition to assortment platters, you can also order A la carte.

Photograph:CHA x2

Izakaya Gonta, about a 5-minute walk from JR Himeji Station, is an izakaya where you can enjoy local Banshu Harima specialties.

The interior is done in warm wood tones throughout, and its casual atmosphere, loved by locals, is said to be part of its charm.

Photograph:8i6ye

They offer a lineup of perfect dishes to go with drinks, including dishes made with Hyakunichidori (100-day chicken) raised on the land of Hyogo and akashiyaki (Akashi-style egg dumplings).

If you want to enjoy menu items unique to Himeji, Himeji oden (Himeji-style oden) is also a must. The piping hot oden is popular for its light and tasty dashi broth.

Photograph:てくてくもぐもぐ

The restaurant also offers a full lineup of meat dishes made with Tajima-gyu (Tajima beef), which is rarely available outside the local area. In particular, the menu items made with the rare seijuku Tajima-gyu (aged Tajima beef) come highly recommended.

The photo shows the "Seijuku Tajima-gyu Sumiyaki Aburi Steak Sirloin cap." It is said to have lighter fat than Tajima-gyu, along with a stronger savory taste and a firm bite.

Photograph:島玉夫

Men Sakaya Karakara Himeji Ekimae Ten, a 3-minute walk from Sanyo Himeji Station, is an izakaya where you can enjoy a wide range of à la carte dishes and ramen.

The 1st floor has counter seats, and the 2nd floor has table seating, so people say it works well whether you are dining alone or with a group. It is a great pick when you are looking for a comfortable izakaya with a bright atmosphere.

Photograph:葱油拌面＋青椒肉絲

The carefully selected a la carte dishes come in a wide lineup, with an overwhelming selection ranging from seafood and meat to fried items.

The menu also has a full range of alcoholic drinks and soft drinks. It is also a good idea to focus on drinks and enjoy them with snack style dishes.

Photograph:のむのむ☆

Among the more than 10 kinds of ramen, the addictive favorite is karamen (spicy noodles). It is the perfect bowl To finish a drink.

The soup, made by simmering chicken bones and vegetables, has chili pepper blended into it, and they say the balance of savory flavor and heat is just right. You can choose your preferred spice level.

Photograph:のむのむ☆

This izakaya is located inside Piole Himeji Omiyagekan, under the elevated tracks and just a 1-minute walk from the south exit of Himeji Station. It offers a wide range of seafood dishes that go perfectly with drinks.

The spacious interior is known for its cozy atmosphere, where you can relax and take your time. It is a great pick when you want to enjoy drinks in a lively setting with good company.

Photograph:レ★イ

In the cold season, you can enjoy luxurious Hot Pot dishes such as “hon-zuwaigani (snow crab) seafood Hot Pot” and “Japanese pufferfish chirinabe (Hot Pot).”

They also offer plans that include 2 hours of All you can drink, including draft beer, which makes the place easy to use for many occasions, from small group get-togethers to large Banquets.

Photograph:shinshin955

What instantly brightens up the table is the "Ichiba-mori with Sengyo (fresh market fish) assortment," an assortment of seasonal fresh fish from the market.

A nice point is that you can enjoy it not only with the standard soy sauce, but also with rich sesame sauce and wasabi sesame. It also comes with oysters selected from around Japan.

Photograph:コロタン

Denshinbo Himeji Honten, located in Shiomachi a 10-minute walk from Himeji Station, is an izakaya (Japanese pub) with 21 years of history and is popular for serving tasty dishes that make the most of seasonal ingredients.

The interior is a clean space with a Japanese feel, and it has Private room seating that offers privacy, as well as counter seats facing the open kitchen where you can watch the cooking.

Photograph:ウマ馬子

The menu features dishes made with seasonal Special ingredients throughout the four seasons, including sashimi moriawase (assorted sashimi) with fresh seafood and a high quality female wagyu beef tenderloin steak.

The 9 kobachi (small appetizer bowls) served in the course are perfect for starting the meal with a drink. They are popular for being enjoyable both to look at and to eat.

Photograph:shige78834

The “Curry Hot Pot,” with spices fragrant in a Japanese-style dashi broth, is one dish you will definitely want in the cold season. The Japanese-style curry dashi blends more than 30 kinds of spices.

Along with the set meat and vegetables, they also offer a full range of toppings such as gyoza (dumplings) and asari (short-neck clams), and To finish, you can choose either risotto or noodles.

Photograph:ラーメンダイスキグラム

Taishu Sakaba Maruhachi Himeji Honten, a 3-minute walk from Himeji Station and Sanyo-Himeji Station, is an izakaya with a wide selection of Himeji specialties. It is said to be a restaurant loved by locals.

The restaurant has seating on the 1st floor and basement level, and the relaxed atmosphere makes it easy for anyone to stop by.

Photograph:ラーメンダイスキグラム

With a menu of more than 100 dishes in total, this is the kind of place you can visit again and again without getting bored.

The wide range of alcoholic drinks is another big draw. Along with standard beer and Japanese sake, they also offer carefully made house sour cocktails and float-style sours.

Photograph:のむのむ☆

The restaurant offers a full lineup of local specialties, including hinépon (ponzu dressed aged chicken), one of Banshu (Harima region)'s signature dishes, and Himeji oden, which you eat with ginger soy sauce.

Reviews also praise the Himeji gyoza. They are packed with the good flavor of pork and vegetables, and they are said to go perfectly with ginger soy sauce.

Photograph:島玉夫

Himeji no Chiisana Washokuya-san Kuidokoro Otomatsu, located away from the hustle and bustle south of Himeji Station, is an izakaya where you can casually enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine.

Along with the food and drinks, its homey atmosphere and warm service are part of the appeal. It is said to be a popular spot with many regular customers.

Photograph:c7620824467

It is popular for Japanese food made with plenty of seasonal ingredients Specially sourced from across Japan, offering outstanding freshness.

Among the many menu items, the especially recommended dish is the sashimi assortment, said to be a luxurious assortment that lets you feel the season. It looks like a simple way to fully enjoy the natural flavor of the fish.

Photograph:k.hos140

It is also certified as a "The Perfect Kuro Label" shop by "Sapporo Beer," which means you can enjoy Kuro Label beer that has passed strict screening.

It stands out for its creamy foam and clean finish, making it a beer any drink lover will want to try.

Photograph:ラーメンダイスキグラム

Ippin Sakadokoro Shun, about a 5-minute walk from Himeji Station, is a Japanese-style izakaya where you can enjoy Himeji specialties made with plenty of seasonal ingredients along with drinks.

Located on the second floor of a building in the entertainment district, the restaurant has a hideaway-like feel with the warmth of wood throughout. In addition to counter seats that are easy to use even when dining alone, it also has Private rooms.

Photograph:ラコちゃんコウちゃん

They offer a full lineup of a la carte dishes that pair well with a wide range of drinks, including draft beer that goes down nice and smooth and rare local sake.

They also recommend sashimi made with fresh seafood brought in from the market every day. It seems you can enjoy the simple goodness that comes from carefully selected ingredients.

Photograph:kitagawa178

Dishes made with anago (conger eel) from the Seto Inland Sea are also popular. In addition to tempura, you can enjoy it prepared in a range of ways, including steamed and grilled.

People say the anago is light yet thick and satisfyingly meaty. The "Yaki Anago Aburi" is irresistibly fragrant, and some reviews even said it completely changed their idea of anago.

Photograph:min0ru721

Taishu Sakaba New Marumasa, a 5-minute walk from Sanyo Himeji Station, is a place where you can enjoy a wide range of izakaya dishes, including house-made gyoza and carefully prepared oden.

The interior has a Japanese-modern feel, where you can relax and enjoy your meal and drinks.

Photograph:グルまさチャンネル

The popular homemade gyoza (Japanese dumplings) is a great match for the house specialty ocha-hai (shochu tea highball) and wine.

Along with the standard “Himeji yaki-gyoza (pan-fried Himeji-style dumplings),” you can also enjoy unique varieties such as “pakuchi gyoza (cilantro dumplings)” and “truffle-scented fluffy cheese gyoza.”

Photograph:Yuno

One dish that some say you absolutely have to try is the shumaI (siu mai). It is filled with plenty of meat juices inside the wrapper, and people praise it for being juicy and delicious.

In addition to the standard “Shumai,” they also offer “Yaki Shumai” and “Truffle Kaoru Shumai,” so it is also a good idea to share and try a variety of them.

Photograph:tabelog.com

Musashi, about a 7-minute walk from Himeji Station, is a Japanese izakaya in Shiroganecho, Himeji, where you can enjoy seasonal ingredients with a focus on local Himeji produce.

The interior, built around a wood theme, has a simple and refined feel. It is recommended for a wide range of occasions, from casual everyday dining to Special business dinners.

Photograph:busa841

They serve Japanese cuisine that makes the most of ingredients unique to Himeji, which you can enjoy in a range of preparations such as grilled and fried dishes.

The sashimi menu, featuring fish that change with the seasons, is also popular. It also seems to pair well with their wide selection of drinks, including about 20 kinds of Special Japanese sake and shochu always available.

Photograph:たいじ

The simmered fish dish made with On-the-Day recommended fresh fish is also one item you will definitely want to try. You can choose the seasoning style from rich or light.

Seasonal fish is said to have tender flesh and great flavor. They also offer simmered meat dishes, not just fish.

Photograph:Yuno

"Sosaku Ryori to Nihonshu no Omise Yumebanchi" is an izakaya in a great location, a 5-minute walk from Himeji Station and a 3-minute walk from Himeji Castle, where you can enjoy jukuseigyo (aged fish) paired with a wide selection of Japanese sake.

Set apart from the bustle around the station, the restaurant has a calm atmosphere and is equipped with counter seats and Semi-private room table seating.

Photograph:busa841

You can enjoy dishes prepared by a seasoned chef with long experience in Japanese cuisine, who trained at ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurants) in Kyoto and kappo (Japanese fine dining) restaurants in Osaka.

Among them, the dishes made with jukuseigyo (aged fish) come especially recommended, and are said to let you enjoy the rich umami that only aged fish can offer.

Photograph:Yuno

What you will want to enjoy along with the appealing creative dishes is Japanese sake. They offer more than 30 kinds of Japanese sake, and they will suggest one to match your taste.

They stock everything from rare local Japanese sake from around the country to well-known labels, and some say the good food makes it easy to drink a little too much.

Photograph:tabelog.com

Kaisen Izakaya Genki, about a 5-minute walk from Himeji Station, is a seafood izakaya where you can enjoy fresh seafood delivered directly from the production region along with a wide lineup of drinks.

Inside the refined Japanese-style space, the restaurant offers counter seats, table seats, and Private room seating. It looks like an easy choice for all kinds of occasions.

Photograph:トリコの胃袋

Seafood is kept in the fish tank inside the restaurant, so you can enjoy it freshly prepared after you order.

If you want to fully enjoy the rich flavor of very fresh fish, the sashimi assortment or otsukuri (sliced raw fish platter) is recommended. With fresh seafood and delicate craftsmanship from the chefs, it is said to be a highly satisfying selection.

Photograph:mmちゃん322

The restaurant offers a total of 150 menu items, including seafood, salads, and meat dishes.

They also have a good selection of drinks that pair well with the food, and you can choose from four kinds of Japanese sake, mainly well-known labels from Hyogo Prefecture. They also offer a wide range of other options, including whiskey and wine.

Photograph:pure42345

Isomaru Suisan Himeji Miyuki-dori Ten, located a 1-minute walk from Sanyo-Himeji Station and about a 3-minute walk from Himeji Station, is an izakaya popular for its hamayaki (seaside-style grilled seafood) made with fresh seafood and grilled right at your table.

The open and airy space, almost like a beach hut, is part of its charm, and it is said to be a great place to have a lively time with friends or family.

Photograph:桃@EOS

You can enjoy seafood fresh from the tank inside the restaurant, grilled right in front of you.

The signature kani miso korayaki (grilled crab shell filled with crab tomalley), popular since the restaurant first opened, is a must for crab tomalley lovers. It is best enjoyed slowly with Special Japanese sake.

Photograph:oharusan

If you want to enjoy the simple goodness of fresh seafood, sashimi is the perfect choice. It is available not only A la carte but also in Banquet courses.

The "Geta-mori assortment" with 6 kinds of sashimi is a visually luxurious dish. There is also a wide selection of seafood dishes that are easy to snack on, including lightly seared items and fried dishes.

Photograph:tabelog.com

Koshitsu Izakaya Tawaraya Himeji Ekimae Ten, about a 2-minute walk from Himeji Station, is an izakaya popular for its wara-yaki (straw-fire grilled) dishes, seared over bold flames.

The interior, designed with a Japanese feel, has just the right atmosphere for enjoying food and drinks in a casual setting. It also has Private rooms for groups of 2 to 40 people.

Photograph:miyu5678

The straw-fired dishes, seared all at once over roaring flames, include not only seafood but also menu items made with meat and cheese.

The signature "katsuo (bonito) no warayaki (straw-seared bonito)" is said to quickly sear the bonito over high heat, concentrating its rich flavor and filling your mouth with the smoky aroma of straw.

Photograph:grim.311

In addition to the straw grilled menu, they also offer course menus centered on Hot Pot dishes depending on the season.

They have a full range of Hot Pot options, including buri-shabu Hot Pot (amberjack shabu-shabu hot pot), kani Hot Pot (crab hot pot), and kazan Hot Pot (volcano hot pot). The Hot Pot courses come with All you can drink, so they are a good pick for people who enjoy alcohol.

Photograph:harachi-

Robata to Oden Koronagirai Himeji Ten is an izakaya where you can enjoy All you can eat oden and robatayaki (fireside-grilled dishes) along with carefully selected local sake from around Japan.

Since opening in Shinjuku, Tokyo, it has grown into a popular chain with more than 20 restaurants. The nostalgic interior, designed to recreate the feel of a traditional Japanese street stall, is also well liked.

Photograph:明日もはれ

At the center of the restaurant, there is a counter just for oden (Japanese hot pot items), where you can enjoy as many kinds as you like.

The clear, beautifully translucent dashi broth soaks into the ingredients, giving them a gentle, comforting flavor. If you enjoy drinking, it also pairs well with the All you can drink option.

Photograph:harachi-

The restaurant offers a wide variety of à la carte dishes, with the menu changing by season.

It also has a full lineup of robatayaki (fireside-grilled) dishes made with seafood. The fragrantly grilled "Ohotate Kushi" is said to really bring out the flavor of scallops and be very satisfying to eat.