If you're drinking in Nago, start here! 10 recommended izakaya (Japanese pubs)

Photograph:yakyu880

About a 5-minute drive from Kyoda IC, Ryukyu Dining Yamoriya is an izakaya where you can enjoy Okinawan cuisine and a wide selection of awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit).

Inside, the restaurant offers a variety of seating options including counter seats, table seating, and Semi-private rooms, and at the window-side horigotatsu (sunken-floor seating) seats, you can relax while looking out over Agarie Beach.

Photograph:トモサク

"Iruka no Ale Pale Ale" is a craft beer brewed at a small brewery on the coastal road in Agarie, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture.

It is known for its smooth, water-like drinkability and the pleasant aroma of aroma hops. It is said to be the kind of drink that makes you want to enjoy it under a blue sky.

Photograph:soishii

The restaurant's popular menu item, Yanbaru Shimabuta Agu (Okinawan Agu pork) shabu-shabu, is said to be a dish where you can enjoy the pork's tender texture and the gentle sweetness of its fat.

To finish, they add Okinawa soba (Okinawan noodles), and the broth enriched with the pork fat is said to go very well with the noodles.

Photograph:赤井くれお

Obar Kise Ten, about a 2-minute drive from Kyoda IC, is an izakaya where you can enjoy Okinawa ryori (Okinawan cuisine) and Agu buta (Okinawan Agu pork) dishes. One of its draws is its careful selection of ingredients as a prefecture-certified local production for local consumption restaurant.

The interior is decorated with touches that give it an Okinawan feel, and table seating is available.

Photograph:kumakumausg

The restaurant’s top recommendation is Agu buta shabu-shabu (Agu pork hotpot). When the thinly sliced Agu pork is quickly dipped in the broth, the sweet richness of the fat stands out, and its good flavor fills your mouth.

For dipping sauces, they offer special ponzu sauce, Homemade sesame sauce, and Miyakojima no Yuki Shio (snow salt from Miyakojima), so you can also enjoy changing up the flavors.

Photograph:kumakumausg

Tebichi (simmered pig's trotters), a dish loved as Okinawan home cooking, is made by slowly simmering pig's trotters.

It is a hearty dish with a jiggly texture packed with collagen. It also goes well with alcohol.

Photograph:チャンゆ

Okinawa Ryori Maruoki Shoten is an izakaya where you can enjoy traditional Okinawa ryori (Okinawan cuisine) and awamori (Okinawan distilled liquor). It is about 2 minutes by car from Kyoda IC, and parking is also available.

The interior has a homey atmosphere where you can relax without feeling formal, and table seating is available.

Photograph:赤井くれお

The restaurant offers a wide range of drinks, including more than 30 kinds of awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit), Okinawan craft beer, and prefecture-made umeshu (plum wine).

Even if there are so many choices that it is hard to decide, the staff will recommend one to match your taste. The photo shows the Okinawa-made cocktail and chuhai, “shikuwasa chuhai (sparkling liquor drink with Okinawan lime).”

Photograph:2525ゆかまる

The menu offers a wide range of Okinawa style dishes, including “Ishigaki gyu (Ishigaki beef) steak,” “Okinawa soba (Okinawan noodles),” and “goya champuru (bitter melon stir fry).”

The photo shows “umi-budo (sea grapes),” known for its popping texture. It is also said to be great as a snack with drinks.

Photograph:toni0

Chiisana Sakabaru Sakazuki, an izakaya (Japanese pub) centered on shrimp, salmon, and meat dishes, is about a 10-minute drive from Kyoda IC.

Inside, the space has a vintage feel, with sake barrel tables and chairs lined up throughout. It is small with a total of 25 seats, but has a warm and homey atmosphere.

Photograph:そのままストン

The restaurant’s specialty, the “Kaizoku Jug,” is a drink served in a small barrel and stands out for its extra large size at about twice the usual volume.

It is satisfying to drink, and they say the table gets lively all at once the moment everyone makes a toast. It is a great pick when you want to have a fun time together.

Photograph:yumiyumi205

Here is the ever popular signature item, salmon rare katsu (lightly fried salmon cutlet). You can order it a la carte, of course, or enjoy it as part of a course meal.

It has a new kind of texture, crispy on the outside and meltingly tender inside, and the standard way to enjoy it is with egg yolk sauce.

Photograph:仲宗根さん

Hongaku Sumibiyaki to Okinawa Ryori Nariichi, about a 12-minute drive from Kyoda IC, is an izakaya where you can enjoy charcoal grilling and Okinawa ryori (Okinawan cuisine).

The spacious interior has counter seats, table seats, and Sunken kotatsu seating, making it easy to visit whether you are drinking alone or with a group.

Photograph:グル王 ゆきちゃん

The drink menu is extensive, with more than 80 options including beer, awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit), sours, shochu, and wine.

The photo shows Orion Beer, a classic Okinawan beer. One nice touch is that it is served in an ice-cold glass.

Photograph:グル王 ゆきちゃん

"Mimiga Pirikara Ae" is a dish made with mimiga (pig's ear skin), one of Okinawa's local specialties.

It combines crunchy mimiga with cucumber for a light, refreshing taste, with a spicy kick as an accent.

Photograph:＊ちー坊＊

Agū-buta (Okinawan Agu pork) to Sushi no Shima Izakaya Ma-san, an 8-minute walk from Nago Bus Terminal, is an izakaya that is also open for lunch.

The calm interior, renovated from a Ryukyu kominka (traditional Okinawan house), features Private room and table seating. On the garden terrace seats, you can relax and enjoy food and drinks while feeling close to nature.

Photograph:晴れ時々晴れのち晴れ

"ORION NAGO75BEER" is a craft beer brewed in Nago City.

Made with wheat from Okinawa Prefecture and five kinds of American hops, it offers a bright and complex aroma. It is also known for the fresh scent of shiikwasa (Okinawan citrus) and its mellow, fruity flavor.

Photograph:faifan467

The aguu shabu-shabu (Okinawan Agu pork hotpot) comes in a style where the broth is already seasoned, so you wrap the vegetables with the meat and eat them without dipping sauce.

The sweet richness of the aguu pork fat is said to be excellent, and the tasty broth is also well liked. They also carefully explain how to prepare it, so even first-time visitors can enjoy it with ease.

Photograph:nobuta-nobu

About a 5-minute drive from Nago Bus Terminal, Nagonufa is an izakaya where you can enjoy a wide range of dishes, from standard Okinawan cuisine to Hokkaido gourmet food.

The interior mainly features counter seating and Sunken kotatsu seating, with a warm wooden atmosphere throughout.

Photograph:6df457

In addition to beer, awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit), and cocktails, the restaurant also offers a wide range of drinks, including frozen sours.

The photo shows the "Toketsu Lemon," packed with plenty of frozen lemon. It has a refreshingly icy taste that seems easy to enjoy with a meal.

Photograph:nobuta-nobu

Their signature jingisukan (grilled mutton dish) uses fresh lamb Chuck Eye Roll and Heart sent directly from Hokkaido, and they grill it together with plenty of vegetables.

It is said to have very little of lamb’s distinctive flavor, with a light taste that lets you enjoy it as a healthy meal.

Photograph:nobuta-nobu

Izakaya Kokko is an izakaya located about a 2-minute walk from Nago Public Market.

The dining area mainly has table seating, and it also comes with Semi-private rooms with Sunken kotatsu seating. Its appeal lies in the casual atmosphere that makes it easy to stop by while taking in the lively feel of the area around the market.

Photograph:ダイキチ★

The restaurant offers a wide lineup of drinks, including beer, awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit), highballs, shochu, sours, and Japanese sake.

They offer not only A la carte drinks but also All you can drink options. The drinks in the photo were reportedly served as part of the All you can drink plan.

Photograph:nobuta-nobu

The menu offers a wide range of dishes, including sashimi, seafood dishes, charcoal grilled items, and vegetable rolls.

The photo shows “Dashimaki Tamago Menta Cheese,” a classic izakaya dish of dashimaki tamago (rolled omelet) topped with mentaiko (spicy cod roe) and cheese, then lightly grilled.

Photograph:tabelog.com

A 1-minute walk from Okinawa Bus Daini Nazakibaru. Shimauta Izakaya Yuiuta is an izakaya with a stage inside where you can enjoy live shimauta (traditional Okinawan folk songs).

The interior has a warm atmosphere full of Okinawan character. There are various types of seating, including counter, table, sofa, and Sunken kotatsu seating.

Photograph:mi586

"Goya chanpuru (bitter melon stir-fry)~" is a dish made by stir-frying goya with shima-dofu (Okinawan tofu), pork, and egg. It is finished with plenty of katsuobushi (bonito flakes) on top.

The bitterness of the goya is mild and easy to enjoy, with a gentle flavor.

Photograph:ナイジェル

At this restaurant, you can of course order dishes A la carte, but if you are getting together with people who enjoy drinks, a course meal with All you can drink is also recommended.

The photo shows sashimi served in the "Masan Course," which is available by advance reservation only. Its colorful presentation is eye catching, and it comes with umi-budo (sea grapes), which are popular for their little popping texture.

Photograph:nobuta-nobu

Located about a 3-minute walk from Nago Bus Terminal, Erakokyu Nago Ten is an izakaya where you can enjoy Okinawan cuisine and fresh seafood.

The lively and bustling interior has counter seating that is easy to use even when dining alone, as well as table seating and Private room options that are great for groups.

Photograph:自由人@全国グルメ食べ歩き

Nama-shibori Pineapple Sour, a fresh pineapple sour you can squeeze yourself and enjoy.

It looks bright and fun, and you also get the fun of squeezing it yourself. It is the perfect drink when you want to have a good time with everyone.

Photograph:nobuta-nobu

Fresh seafood is shipped directly from fishing ports to this restaurant every day. There is also a fish tank inside, and guests can enjoy flavors from around Japan while in Okinawa, including Hokkaido live hotate (scallops) and fresh oysters.

The photo shows the “5-item sashimi assortment,” which is said to be popular for its fresh taste.