A toast at izakaya (Japanese pubs) around Omiya Station! 20 popular spots you can easily drop into

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Sake to Robatayaki Unari is an izakaya (Japanese pub) located about a 3-minute walk from the west exit of JR Omiya Station, tucked away in a building basement like a hideout.

The table seats offer the feel of Semi-private room seating, making them a good choice for family meals or dining with close friends. The restaurant also has counter seats, so solo diners can enjoy themselves too.

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You can enjoy fresh seafood sourced from fishing ports around Japan, along with the owner's Special selection of Japanese sake.

The simple cooking methods are popular, including the "Sashimi Three-Item Assortment" and charcoal grilling. Reviews also said the tableware and presentation were beautiful.

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One item that gets great reviews is the “aji-fry (fried horse mackerel) and tartar.” It is made with fresh aji that is good enough to eat as sashimi, soaked in salt water and fried rare.

The tartar sauce goes very well with it, but regulars say their favorite way to enjoy it is with wasabi.

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Meshiya Hinata Kurabu Omiya Ten is an izakaya located about a 5-minute walk from the West Exit of JR Omiya Station. It is popular for its wide variety of dishes, from Appetizers and Hot Pot to desserts, including the house specialty of many kinds of tsukune (seasoned chicken meatballs).

With fully private rooms with doors at every table, it is known for offering a great sense of privacy. Guests can relax and enjoy conversation and their meal without worrying about the people around them.

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The popular tsukune (chicken meatball skewer) is said to be tender, juicy, and very satisfying to eat. They offer a total of 20 kinds, from standard tsukune to creative variations, including the classic salt and sauce seasonings.

They carefully prepare each one by hand using jidori (free-range local chicken) from Kyushu and eggs from Itoshima.

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The brightly presented “aji fry (fried horse mackerel) with shibazuke (Kyoto-style pickled vegetables) tartar sauce” is also one of this restaurant’s popular menu items.

The shibazuke tartar sauce served on the side is rich, with a light tang and nice texture, and it is said to be so well made that you might want to order the tartar sauce on its own.

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Nihonshu to Sosaku Kobachi Ryori GOKURi Omiya Ten is located past the Nanginza Shopping Street from the east exit of JR Omiya Station. Though it is within walking distance, this izakaya sits in the back of Omiya Nanginza, where you can forget the bustle of the city.

The interior has a luxurious feel and a calm atmosphere, and it also comes with a Private room with sofa seating for 6 where you can relax and unwind.

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They are known for tasty kobachi-style small dishes made with uni (sea urchin) and other fresh fish bought that day.

The fish is carefully selected by skilled chefs each season, and they use only what they buy fresh every day. The popular “GOKURi assortment” is said to be so impressive you will do a double take, with so much fresh fish piled on top that it completely hides the gunkan sushi underneath.

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They stock more than 30 kinds of Japanese sake from all over Japan, and since you can choose the amount from 60ml, it is easy to compare different ones little by little.

It is also easy to visit on days when you want to keep the food light, and they have a full lineup of ate (small dishes to pair with drinks) that go well with Japanese sake. Their wide selection, from seasonal limited editions and rare labels to bottles from up-and-coming breweries, is well received.

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Seafood bar Ermitage Omiya Ten is about a 2-minute walk from the East Exit of Omiya Station. Inside, the seating ranges from brightly colored seats with a Mediterranean feel to chic table seating.

It also has counter seats and fully private rooms. This stylish izakaya (Japanese pub) with a calm atmosphere is a good choice for anyone looking for a relaxed place to drink and dine.

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The menu centers on fresh seafood, along with playful dishes.

There are also eye catching items like "salmon rare cutlet" and "flying ebi-furai (fried shrimp)." Many reviews say the moment these dishes arrive at the table, they naturally bring a smile, making the whole meal more fun.

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There is a wide variety of drinks, with a lineup you can enjoy for both looks and taste.

Colorful drinks such as the “Cream Soda Sour” are the kind of glasses that make you want to take a photo. For those who are not big on alcohol, the “Kyushu Kajitsu no Non-Alcohol Squash” is popular.

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FISHMAN KITCHEN is an izakaya known for its wide variety of good fish dishes, tucked away on a side street a little off the main road, about a 5-minute walk from JR Omiya Station.

The small interior is a cozy space, with 16 seats in total, including counter and table seating, making it a good pick for small group drinks or visiting on your own.

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The restaurant is popular for its carefully prepared dishes made with fresh ingredients delivered from Toyosu Shijo (Toyosu Market).

The nicely fried sawagani (freshwater crab) Kara-age is fragrant and makes a great snack to go with drinks. Since the menu changes with the seasons, reviews also say there is something new to enjoy each time you visit.

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Starting with the sashimi assortment, every dish here has a strong reputation for freshness and great taste.

The careful work really stands out, with hidden knife cuts added to each piece to improve the texture and light searing to bring out the aroma, resulting in a satisfying plate.

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"Uosho Moto Daimoncho" is an izakaya with easy access, about a 3-minute walk from the East Exit of Omiya Station on each line. At the counter seats right by the entrance, the sounds and aromas of cooking reach you just enough, creating a lively feel.

Further inside, the restaurant has calm Japanese style table seating and Private rooms. It is said to be easy to use for a wide range of occasions, from small groups to large parties.

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Centered on washoku (Japanese cuisine), they serve daily changing dishes made with seasonal ingredients. One plate highlights fresh fish in season, with the contents changing based on what they source that day.

The fresh fish comes in a wide range of styles, including "sashimi (raw sliced fish)," "yakizakana (grilled fish)," and "nizakana (simmered fish)," so you can enjoy both the presentation and the flavor.

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The “tempura assortment” pairs very well with Japanese sake and is popular for letting you taste the natural sweetness and aroma of the vegetables, which people say is delicious.

The batter is said to be crisp and light, and some reviews mention that the fresh fried aroma spreads as soon as it is served, making it even more appetizing.

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San is about a 3-minute walk from the east exit of JR Omiya Station. Located just a little away from the bustle in front of the station, this izakaya is a place where adults can relax and take their time.

On the first floor, there are table seats and counter seats, while the second floor has table seats only. In the calm space, you can enjoy food and drinks without feeling rushed.

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They source ingredients and local sake with a focus on what tastes best in each season, and the head chef prepares them with great care.

The standard sashimi and aigamo rosu (roasted duck breast) remain popular. Seasonal dishes such as zuwaigani (snow crab) jelly are also added, so there is always something to look forward to each time you visit.

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Reviews highly praise the wide selection of Japanese sake.

They even carry some hard to find labels, and serve them in many ways, including chilled, warm, and kan. Even people who are not familiar with Japanese sake can choose easily, and some reviews rave that the lineup is among the best in Omiya!

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Toro Masa Omiya Ten is an izakaya conveniently located about a 1-minute walk from JR Omiya Station, and it is known for letting you enjoy high-quality seafood dishes and a wide variety of lemon sours.

In the lively interior lit by chochin (paper lanterns), the restaurant has many fully private rooms with doors deeper inside. It is suited not only for Banquets but also for times when you want to enjoy a relaxed meal, offering a space where you can spend time without worrying about the people around you.

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For the otoshi (small appetizer), they serve fresh sashimi delivered directly from the production region. It comes plated in a yellow lemon-ball-shaped bowl, and people say it is not only tasty but also fun to look at.

They source fish from the market every day, and offer around 15 kinds of sashimi along with a daily changing menu.

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There are more than 30 kinds of carefully selected lemon sours. Along with the classics, they offer a wide range, including house made infused types.

The lineup includes refreshing options like the "Muto Tsukekomi Lemon Sour (Sugar-Free Infused Lemon Sour)" and "Yogurt Lemon Sour," so you can choose to match your mood.

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Kissou is a calm izakaya (Japanese pub) about a 7-minute walk from the east exit of Omiya Station, near the Daieibashi intersection.

Inside, there are box seats and table seating, creating a space that is easy to use even on your own. The interior uses natural materials such as hinoki (Japanese cypress) tables and keisoudo (diatomaceous earth) walls, making it a relaxing place to unwind.

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At this restaurant, you can enjoy freshly hand made soba and creative Japanese cuisine. Their ni-hachi soba (80/20 buckwheat noodles), made with Hokkaido buckwheat ground in a stone mill and prepared fresh every morning, has a rich aroma.

Many people also order it as the final dish of a night out, and it is said to have the full aroma and firm bite that only freshly ground, freshly made soba can offer.

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The soba sashimi that comes with the sashimi assortment is made by deliberately cutting teuchi soba (handmade buckwheat noodles) into wide strips, then boiling them and chilling them in cold water. It is served with wasabi soy sauce, and you can enjoy it much like sashimi.

A popular dish, it opens with the aroma and gentle sweetness of the soba, and its pleasantly chewy texture is a big part of the appeal.

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Yakitori Kara-age Highball Omiya Ten is an izakaya located about a 2-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Omiya Station. Soft lighting fills the interior, and it also offers table seating in bright colors.

The restaurant also has counter seats where you can enjoy the lively feel of the grill area, as well as Private room options where you can relax. It is an easy choice for Banquet gatherings and celebrations.

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They carefully butcher fresh Daisen-dori (Daisen chicken) one bird at a time in the morning and serve it the same day.

The kushiyaki (grilled skewers) feature meat carefully skewered one by one and grilled with expert skill, with close attention to the heat so it stays juicy and tender. Along with classics like thigh, breast, and Heart, the menu also includes rare cuts such as chochin (undeveloped egg and oviduct).

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The popular "Saigo no Bansan Course," which comes with 2 hours of All you can drink, is said to be a hearty and filling option.

One item that stands out in particular is the "Shiko no Shoyu Kara-age," a well-reviewed dish that gets extra fragrant from being fried twice, with a plump, springy bite that keeps people coming back for more.

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Taishu Italian Kaneko Omiya Ten is a popular casual izakaya (Japanese pub) just about a 30-second walk from the East Exit of JR Omiya Station, making it easy to drop by.

The interior has many counter seats, creating an atmosphere that makes it easy to visit even alone. The space is casual and bright, so it is also a convenient spot when you want to grab a quick drink.

Along with kushiyaki (grilled skewers) and Hoppy, which give it the feel of a classic taishu izakaya (casual Japanese pub), the menu also features dishes with Italian touches.

From light antipasti to pizza, pasta, and wine, it offers a wide and playful lineup.

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The restaurant’s top recommendation is the freshly fried "reba-katsu (fried liver cutlet)." The coating is crisp and fragrant, while the liver inside is tender.

It also goes perfectly with beer, and it is topped with a slightly tangy demi-glace-style sauce, making this combination distinctive and addictively tasty.

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Osakaya is an izakaya (Japanese pub) that has been loved for many years in Omiya, an area packed with fierce izakaya competition. The interior has a retro feel with a touch of nostalgia, and an easygoing vibe that makes it the kind of place regulars casually drop by.

In addition to counter and table seating, there is also a standing drinking space outside. It has an atmosphere that makes it easy to use however you feel that day.

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The popular menu item is motsuyaki (grilled offal skewers). It comes in two kinds, one grilled with the shop's secret sauce and the other with salt, and the owner carefully grills each skewer one by one.

When enjoying it with salt, regulars' standard move is to add the spicy miso placed on the counter. It brings out the savory aroma and has a flavor that keeps you coming back for more.

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The restaurant’s motsu nikomi (stewed offal), loved here for more than 50 years, is also a popular menu item.

It is said to have no off notes, with the flavor soaking into the slowly simmered ingredients and the soup full of rich umami. It also pairs well with beer or a highball.

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Ore no Yakitori Omiya is about a 3-minute walk from the west exit of JR Omiya Station. As you head in through the entrance, you will find a stretch of counter seats where you can feel the energy of the kitchen up close.

Further inside, the restaurant also has spacious box seats and seating where groups can relax comfortably, so it works well for a wide range of occasions.

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The menu features dishes grilled over binchotan (high-grade Japanese charcoal), along with items that value the seasonal feel of Japanese cuisine.

The recommended yakitori is Tamashamo, a branded jidori (local chicken breed) from Saitama Prefecture. They say a simple seasoning of salt really brings out the chicken’s natural flavor.

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The tori shumai (chicken siu mai) is also recommended as a snack to go with drinks. It is served piping hot in a steamer basket, and the juices burst out the moment you take a bite.

Its juicy flavor is said to pair especially well with highballs and sours.

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Omiya Bar is a popular izakaya (Japanese pub) in a convenient location about a 4-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Omiya Station, making it easy to meet up and head out after. They offer a wide range of meat dishes, along with plenty of small plates that pair well with drinks and make conversation easy to enjoy.

Inside, they have counter, table, and sofa seating, creating a space that works well for many different occasions.

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The popular “lamb chops,” a hit in reviews, are a tender dish made with New Zealand lamb that has very little distinctive flavor.

You can choose from six flavors, including salt, sauce, and jalapeño, and the rich taste of the special sauce stands out. They are healthy and easy to eat, and are said to be a favorite among regulars.

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The Most Popular "paella" is packed with the rich flavors of seafood and chicken stock, and you can enjoy every bit of it right down to the crispy rice at the bottom of the pan.

It comes in two sizes, regular and large, which makes it easy to share. You can choose your favorite from three flavors: seafood, squid ink, and tomato chicken.

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Koshitsu Sumibiyaki Minami Kyushu Umeemon Omiya Tei is an izakaya located about a 5-minute walk from the west exit of JR Omiya Station. It is popular for letting you enjoy Kyushu gourmet food at reasonable prices.

The restaurant has counter seats, table seats, and box seats with a private feel, as well as Sunken kotatsu seating that can be partitioned off with roll screens.

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Using ingredients shipped directly from Kagoshima, Miyazaki, and Kumamoto, this restaurant serves local dishes from Minami-Kyushu (Southern Kyushu).

The top pick is the "2H All you can drink Umeemon Course." It is a full lineup that lets you enjoy not only charcoal grilled morning processed Miyazaki-dori (Miyazaki chicken) and chicken nanban, but also warayaki (straw-seared) bonito from Makurazaki and motsu Hot Pot.

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The popular Miyazaki-dori momo sumibiyaki (charcoal-grilled Miyazaki chicken thigh) is said to be exceptionally fresh, as they source asa-biki dori (same-day processed chicken) within 24 hours.

By grilling it quickly over charcoal, it gets a juicy taste and a tender bite. The restaurant's style is to enjoy it with simple seasoning using only salt.

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Nihonshu Genka Sakagura Omiya Ten is a Japanese sake specialty izakaya, located on the first floor of a building along Minamiginza-dori, about a 3-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Omiya Station.

The spacious interior has table seating as well as counter seats, and it is said to have an atmosphere that makes it easy to stop by even when you want to grab a quick drink on your own.

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You can enjoy more than 45 kinds of Japanese sake at reasonable prices, and they also offer many hard-to-find popular labels.

The popular “Premium Sugidama Course” comes with All you can drink of more than 50 options, including Japanese sake and beer. This course is packed with great dishes to go with drinks, making it a good fit for people who want to make Japanese sake the star of the meal.

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They offer a lineup of high quality Japanese sake, Special selected by staff who hold kikizakeshi (sake sommelier) and SAKE DIPLOMA qualifications, including Dassai, Aramasa, Kokuryu, and Sharaku.

Many regulars also visit hoping to find rare Japanese sake such as "Juyondai."

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Torisho Hinaiya Nakamachi Ten is a popular izakaya in a great location, about a 3-minute walk from JR Omiya Station, where you can enjoy Akita regional cuisine such as Hinai jidori (Hinai chicken) along with drinks.

With attention paid to details like the indirect lighting, the restaurant has a calm atmosphere where you can relax, and there are counter seats, table seats, and Semi-private room seating, so you can enjoy your meal at ease.

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This restaurant is well known for creative dishes made with Akita-produced Hinai jidori (Akita local chicken), as well as many Akita specialty dishes including kiritanpo Hot Pot.

Hinai jidori, which is difficult to cook just right, can also be enjoyed as yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) expertly grilled to a fragrant finish. It is said to be juicy, rich in flavor, and so tasty that you will keep coming back for more.

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They offer a wide lineup of Special local sake from around Japan, along with seasonal drinks and more.

They select Japanese sake and shochu based on flavor, whether well-known or not, and also offer recommended local sake from across Japan and seasonal picks. You can enjoy a wide variety of drinks chosen with food pairing in mind.

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Shichigo is an izakaya about an 8-minute walk from the East Exit of JR Omiya Station, near Omiya Minami Ginza, and is known for its tasty chicken and tofu dishes.

The stylish interior, lit with indirect lighting, has a grown-up atmosphere. It offers table seating and a spacious counter, so you can relax and enjoy your meal and drinks.

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They value local production for local consumption and serve dishes centered on ingredients from Saitama.

The house-made kumiage-dofu (fresh scooped tofu) made with soybeans from Saitama has a rich soybean flavor. They also offer a tofu tasting comparison with cheese, kinugoshi (silken tofu), and milk varieties.

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The top pick is “marudori suage (deep-fried whole chicken).” By slowly deep-frying a whole chicken at a low temperature, they make it crisp on the outside and juicy inside.

The simple salted flavor comes recommended. It is said to be a dish where you can enjoy different textures depending on the part you eat.

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KICHIRI Omiya WEST is an izakaya (Japanese pub) located about a 1-minute walk from the West Exit of Omiya Station. The interior has a calm, upscale feel with a Japanese modern style.

It offers sofa seating, Semi-private room, and fully private room, making it easy to choose the right setup for any occasion. Set a little apart from the bustle, it is a space where you can enjoy your meal at a relaxed pace.

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The restaurant offers a wide range of dishes centered on classic menu items, while also incorporating current food trends.

Popular choices include the executive chef’s special roast beef made with Black Angus beef, and kama-meshi (rice cooked in a pot) made generously with Hakata jidori (free-range chicken from Fukuoka Prefecture). Both can be ordered either as part of a course or à la carte.

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They also offer a selection of Homemade sweets that you’ll want to enjoy after your meal or drinks.

The assortment of "fondant au chocolat" and "New York cheesecake" is popular for its bright presentation and rich flavor. It can also be served as a plate with a message and sparklers, adding a festive touch to celebratory occasions.

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Isomaru Suisan Omiya Nishiguchi Ten is a popular izakaya located about a 2-minute walk from the west exit of JR Omiya Station, where you can enjoy hamayaki (seaside-style grilled seafood) that you grill yourself along with drinks.

Decorated with colorful tairyo-bata (big catch flags) and retro posters, the interior has an open feel that brings to mind a beach hut. It has counter and table seating, making it easy to use for a wide range of occasions.

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The hands-on style is popular, letting you grill seafood yourself after it is taken straight from the tank.

The "Kanimiso Kora-yaki (grilled crab shell with crab miso)" is a standard menu item that gets lots of orders, known for its rich flavor. They also offer the "Hamayaki Set" with an assortment of seafood such as shrimp and shellfish, making it a good choice for people who want to enjoy a variety of seafood all at once.

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Another popular point is that you can enjoy fresh fish and shellfish prepared in several ways, including grilled and fried.

The "grilled tuna collar with salt" in the photo comes from a cut of which only two can be taken from a single tuna. The meat is thick and nicely fatty, and you can enjoy it in a refreshing way with grated daikon radish and lemon.