Izakaya in Yamagata Prefecture! 20 popular spots by area where you can enjoy sake and snacks

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Aji no Mise Suzuran is an izakaya located in the Otemondori Suzuran Shopping Street, about a 5-minute walk from the east exit of JR Yamagata Station.

Inside, there are seats to suit different occasions, including counter seats, ozashiki (tatami seating), and Private room seating.

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The menu offers a wide range of options, from Yamagata's local specialties to seafood caught in the Nihonkai (Sea of Japan) and daily specials.

One of Yamagata's signature dishes, "imoni (taro stew)," is packed with taro, vegetables, and meat, and is said to pair wonderfully with its soy sauce based broth.

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Advance reservations are handled with a course meal. The courses include very fresh sashimi and let you enjoy Yamagata (Yamagata Prefecture) specialties.

For drinks, you can enjoy a wide variety of options, with a focus on Yamagata local sake.

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"Yamagata Oshoshina So Honten" is an izakaya about a 10-minute walk from JR Yamagata Station, serving local dishes made with fresh local seafood and Yamagata-gyu (Yamagata beef).

The first floor has counter seating that is easy to drop in and use casually. The second floor also has table seating and Private room seating.

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The signature "Yamagata Ichi no Sashimi Assortment" is a popular dish that lets you enjoy sashimi of seasonal fresh fish caught off Shonaihama (the Shonai coast) facing the Sea of Japan.

Starting with the "Komusubi-mori" for per person, you can order the right amount to match your group size.

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The drink menu offers a wide selection of local sake from (Each) area within Yamagata Prefecture.

Not only Japanese sake but also beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options are available, so guests can happily choose according to their taste.

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Robata・Kyodo Ryori Uoichi Bunten is a popular izakaya about a 1-minute walk from the west exit of JR Yamagata Station, where you can enjoy Yamagata’s local cuisine, local sake, and wine.

Inside, there are counter seats as well as Semi-private room seating and Sunken kotatsu seating, so it can accommodate groups of different sizes.

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Yamagata local specialties include fresh seafood delivered straight from Yamagata Kosetsu Ichiba (Yamagata Public Market), as well as dishes that locals have loved for years.

The toro sake harasu (fatty salmon belly) is grilled over charcoal, with crispy skin and rich, fatty flesh. It is said to have just the right amount of salt and taste great.

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The "sumibiyaki (charcoal grilled)" Yamagata beef uses lean cuts, and the more you chew, the more flavor comes out.

You can also add some accent to suit your taste with yuzu kosho (yuzu pepper), lemon, or wasabi.

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Soshoku Chubo Hashimotoya is a kappo izakaya in Nanokamachi, Yamagata City, known for its dishes made with fresh seafood and a good selection of Japanese sake.

The interior is a stylish Japanese modern space. There are counter seats that are easy to use even when dining alone, as well as Private room seating where you can relax and unwind.

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The menu is based on washoku (Japanese cuisine), with a lineup of dishes that add an extra touch of care.

For the winter only buri-toro (fatty yellowtail) shio tataki, they recommend first enjoying its flavor as is, then eating it with wasabi or lemon for a refreshing finish.

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For meals with 2 or more people, the courses you can choose to match your preferences are also recommended.

The course starts with a sakizuke (small appetizer) assortment that includes chawanmushi (savory egg custard) with Yamagata dashi (Yamagata-style chopped vegetable condiment), along with several other dishes, and it is said to pair perfectly with drinks.

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Yakitori Motsuyaki Kushiyaki Jinja is an izakaya about a 4-minute walk from the east exit of JR Yamagata Station, popular for dishes made with ingredients from Yamagata Prefecture and charcoal grilled items.

The interior has a stylish wa-modern (Japanese modern) feel. There are counter and table seats.

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For the motsuyaki (grilled offal skewers), there are several options including harami (skirt steak) and tongue, and each one is carefully grilled and said to be delicious.

To go with your drinks, the assortment is also recommended, letting you compare the taste of different cuts.

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The “Yamagata Motsuni Ramen” is a dish based on motsuni (stewed offal), a Yamagata specialty.

Reviews also say that the balance of ingredients such as taro, the straight noodles, and the soup is just right, with a gentle flavor that makes it perfect To finish.

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Uma Kamon Yamagata Ten is a popular izakaya (Japanese pub) about a 5-minute walk from JR Yamagata Station, known for its wide variety of horse meat dishes and game.

The interior is spacious and relaxed, with a calm atmosphere. There are table seats in total that can be used to suit the size of your group.

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A popular menu item, the “baniku Yakiniku (horse meat grilled barbecue),” comes in cuts such as lean meat and roast, and is enjoyed with the restaurant’s original sauce.

You can enjoy it by ordering à la carte, as an assortment, or as part of a course.

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The a la carte "Baniku Gyoza (horse meat dumplings)" is said to be delicious, with plenty of the rich flavor of horse meat.

The drink menu is wide-ranging, centered on local sake from Yamagata, along with craft beers from Japan and abroad, and sours made with frozen fruit.

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Sanochan is an izakaya in Yamagata City where you can enjoy authentic Hakata motsu-nabe (Hakata offal Hot Pot) made with Special Domestic beef.

The interior is spacious, with an atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy your meal. There are counter seats and table seating.

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The aburi motsu Hot Pot (seared offal hot pot) can be ordered for 2 people or more, and you can choose either soy sauce or miso for the soup.

The beef offal has a plump, springy texture, and it is said to taste great with the soup and ingredients.

To finish, they recommend adding rice or noodles and eating it that way.

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The side menu includes dishes that go perfectly with Hot Pot, such as "Tulip no Tokusei Oroshi Dare (Chicken Drumettes with Special Grated Daikon Sauce)" and "Aigamo (duck) Caesar Salad."

As for drinks, they offer a wide and varied lineup that never gets boring, including original highballs, wine, and shochu (Japanese distilled spirit).

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"Yamagata Yakitori Yasai-gushi Chiizu Wain Fenikkusu" is a stylish izakaya dining spot popular with locals, where you can enjoy carefully selected kushiyaki (grilled skewers) and cheese dishes.

Inside, the restaurant has a casual bar-like atmosphere, with counter and table seating.

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The kushiyaki (grilled skewers) lineup offers plenty of variety, from items with vegetables like green onion and lettuce wrapped in meat to yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) with an extra touch.

If you are not sure what to order, the “Kushi Moriawase” assortment, where you can choose the number of skewers, is also a good pick.

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The drink lineup features more than 100 options, including wine, sangria, and non-alcoholic beverages.

Original drinks such as the sakuranbo highball (cherry highball) are also popular.

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Yamagata Ekimae Kominkan is an izakaya (Japanese-style pub) about a 3-minute walk from Yamagata Station, and it has a good reputation for its carefully made yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and drinks.

On the first floor, there is counter seating that guests can use casually. The second and third floors are also equipped with seating for groups.

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The yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) is said to be made with fresh chicken and slowly grilled over charcoal.

The menu includes items such as "negima" and "momo," as well as "tsukune." You can choose either salt or tare sauce for the seasoning.

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For à la carte dishes too, you can enjoy a varied menu including ebi mayo (shrimp with mayo sauce) and kaki butter (oysters sauteed in butter).

For drinks, they offer highballs, whiskey, and non-alcoholic options, and you can choose the 60-minute All you can drink plan.

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Neo Merusu is an izakaya in Yamagata City that is known for its original menu full of dishes with an extra touch.

The interior is spacious and stylish. There are counter and table seats, so you can enjoy it in ways that suit your group size and the occasion.

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For your first order, the obanzai set (Kyoto-style small side dish set) is recommended.

It lets you enjoy about 6 to 7 different daily dishes in small portions, and it is also perfect as snacks to go with drinks or as palate cleansers.

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The food lineup is wide ranging, from potato salad and Domestic beef tendon stew to local Yamagata specialties.

The drinks are also said to offer a wide variety, from the classics to creative options.

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Kakurega Private room Izakaya Sakura Yamagata Honten is an izakaya on the 2nd floor of Hotel Crown Hills, about a 4-minute walk from JR Yamagata Station, and is popular for yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and fish dishes.

The interior has a calm Japanese-modern atmosphere. It offers plenty of Private room seating that can accommodate different group sizes.

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The "5-skewer yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) assortment" lets you enjoy comparing carefully grilled yakitori, with each skewer prepared by hand one by one.

For seasoning, you can choose whichever you prefer: their carefully selected salt or a secret tare sauce made by continuously adding to the same batch.

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Yamagata’s local specialty imoni (taro stew) is said to be packed with ingredients and have a comforting taste.

The drink menu offers a wide and varied lineup centered on the standard selections! They also have premium labels of Japanese sake.

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Robata to Oden Koronagirai Yamagata Ekimae Ten is an izakaya in Yamagata City that offers a lineup of seasonal dishes, including All you can eat oden as the otoshi (table charge appetizer).

The interior is a stylish Japanese modern space. There are counter seats, table seats, and Sunken kotatsu seating.

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As for oden (Japanese hot pot with ingredients simmered in broth), in addition to the standard items, you can sometimes also enjoy unusual options like "shiumai (pork dumpling)" and the limited-quantity "takoashi (octopus leg)".

Every ingredient is said to soak up the broth well, making each one exceptionally tasty.

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The sashimi maguro (tuna) is said to be rich with fat and have a melt-in-your-mouth kind of taste. It also pairs perfectly with soy sauce and wasabi.

The drink menu offers a wide variety, from classics to creative options and non-alcoholic choices.

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Mekiki no Ginji Yamagata Ekimae Ten is an izakaya (Japanese pub) about a 2-minute walk from JR Yamagata Station, known for letting you enjoy fresh fish dishes prepared in a variety of ways.

The interior is a casual space inspired by a beach house. Guests can relax in seating suited to their group size, from small parties to larger groups.

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The otoshi (small appetizer) is served in a zaru (bamboo basket), with dried fish and nerimono (processed fish paste items).

As you grill them on the tabletop stove and eat, they are just right while waiting for the rest of the food and make a great pairing with drinks.

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The "Kushiyaki Assortment" is a recommended set that lets you enjoy five kinds of yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), including momo (thigh), kawa (skin), and sunagimo (gizzard).

The drink menu includes beer, sours, and non-alcoholic options, all selected to pair well with the food.

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Yakitori no Ogiya Yamagata Teppomachi Ten is an izakaya along Route 286 in Yamagata City where you can enjoy dishes made with Special fresh ingredients and a wide selection of drinks.

Inside, the restaurant has a stylish Japanese modern space. There are counter seats, table seats, and Sunken kotatsu seating.

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The yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) are said to be grilled over high-heat charcoal until crisp, with plenty of rich flavor.

The lineup focuses on classics like "momo" and "negima," and ordering an assortment is also recommended.

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The “kamameshi (rice cooked in an iron pot)” is perfect To finish, and they cook it only after you order.

They offer several kinds, including the “tori gomoku kamameshi (chicken five-ingredient rice cooked in an iron pot)” and the “asari no Fukagawa-fu kamameshi (Fukagawa-style clam rice cooked in an iron pot),” and each one is said to show real care in the choice of ingredients.

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Shunmi Izutsu is a popular izakaya about 5 minutes by car from JR Sakata Station in Yamagata Prefecture, known for its lineup of dishes made with seasonal ingredients.

Inside, there are counter seats, Sunken kotatsu seating, and Private room seating. The second floor can also accommodate groups.

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The menu includes sashimi (sliced raw fish), as well as grilled and fried dishes.

The "Nasu Dengaku (miso-glazed eggplant)" is topped with miso, small shrimp, and seasonal vegetables on eggplant, and is said to be delicious and perfect with a drink.

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The sashimi assortment is a recommended dish that lets you enjoy the flavor of each seafood item.

The drinks lineup is wide-ranging, from Yamagata local sake and shochu (Japanese distilled spirit) to wine and standard options, with many choices that pair well with the food.

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Izakaya GINZA Mikuni is an izakaya in Tsuruoka, Yamagata Prefecture, popular for its authentic sumibi kushiyaki (charcoal grilled skewers) and fresh seafood dishes.

The interior is a warm Japanese modern space. There are counter seats and table seats, as well as zashiki (tatami floor seating) where you can relax in comfort.

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Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) is a popular menu item, known for its savory charcoal grilled aroma and juicy texture.

The lineup includes several kinds such as torimomo (chicken thigh) and tsukune (chicken meatball), and ordering an assortment is also recommended.

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The "Shonai buta (Shonai pork) no Teppan-yaki" lets you enjoy the harmony of flavor-packed pork with buttery soy sauce.

The vegetables served alongside it, such as onions and potatoes, also add a nice accent.

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Nikomi to Shunzakana Aoiya is a popular izakaya about 8 minutes by car from JR Sakata Station, known for its wide range of menu items, including washoku (Japanese cuisine) and seasonal à la carte dishes made with ingredients of the season.

Inside, the restaurant has a stylish Japanese modern space with carefully chosen interior design. There are counter seats and ozashiki (tatami seating) seats.

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The menu also includes dishes that let you enjoy Yamagata’s seafood and mountain produce.

The “Yamagata gyu (Yamagata beef) otsumami steak” is said to be cooked just right, juicy, tender, and delicious.

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The seafood menu, which changes based on what comes in that day, is also extensive. The "soft roe ponzu" is said to pair very well with Japanese sake.

The drinks lineup focuses on local Japanese sake from Yamagata, along with other options that go well with the food.

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Hamayaki Kaisen Izakaya Daisho Suisan Sakata Ten is a popular izakaya for seafood dishes in a great location, about a 1-minute walk from JR Sakata Station.

The interior is spacious and full of energy. There are seats in total, including relaxed ozashiki (Japanese tatami seating) that can also accommodate groups.

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The hamayaki (seaside-style grill) is a popular menu item where you grill fish, meat, and vegetables on the stove set at Each table as you eat.

When you drizzle on the original shellfish sauce and eat it, you can enjoy its rich and flavorful taste.

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The “gaza ebi (red shrimp) no Kara-age” has a nice crispy texture and goes great with a drink.

For drinks, they have a full lineup of Special Japanese sake selected from Yamagata and all over Japan. They also offer a full range of standard menu items (assorted varieties available).

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Shoya Tsuruoka Ekimae Ten is a popular izakaya located inside Tsuruoka Station, known for its fresh seafood dishes prepared by itamae (Japanese chefs) and a lineup of small dishes that pair perfectly with drinks.

The interior is spacious and has a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy your meal at ease. There are also seats you can choose from to suit the occasion.

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The "Nikomi (stewed offal)" is a dish that has kept the same flavor since the restaurant first opened in 1971.

It is said to have an outstanding balance of beef and pork motsu (offal), vegetables like burdock root and carrots, konnyaku (firm yam cake), and a rich, full-bodied broth.

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The “Shun no Sashimi Sara-mori (seasonal sashimi assortment platter)” is a limited menu item, with a limit of one plate per person, where you can enjoy super fresh seasonal seafood.

For drinks, they offer a wide selection including Special Japanese sake from all over Japan, as well as plenty of wine and cocktails.

"sake and sakana. Masuya" is an izakaya located about a 1-minute walk from Yonezawa Station, where you can enjoy about 30 kinds of Special Japanese sake selected from around the country and dishes made with carefully chosen ingredients.

The interior is a stylish space with a natural design. There are counter seats and table seats.

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The menu offers a wide range of dishes that pair well with Japanese sake, from Appetizers and snacks to full meal dishes.

The "Sashimi no Otsukuri assortment" is a recommended dish that lets you enjoy rich, seasonal seafood.

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In addition to Japanese sake, the drink selection also includes a full lineup of highballs, fruit liqueurs, and non-alcoholic options.

If you want to compare different kinds of Japanese sake, the wide range of All you can drink plans, including premium labels of Japanese sake, is also popular.