Whether it’s your first izakaya or your hundredth, Nagoya’s lively Sakae district is a great place to get your fill of good food and good drink.
Although the word “izakaya” is often translated as “Japanese pub”, izakaya can come in all shapes and sizes, some much more like a Japanese pub than others.
At one, you might find the southern cuisine of Kyushu alongside numerous types of shochu sake.
At another, you might find the simple salty flavours of chargrilled chicken skewers accompanied by a good beer.
Whatever kind of izakaya you end up at, you’ll be sure to find a welcoming and fun atmosphere in Nagoya.
So here are five fun izakaya to try out in Sakae.
新九 栄本店 / Shinku Sakae
One of the great things about Japanese cuisine is the sheer variety of cuisine across the different regions.
But if you don’t have the opportunity to visit them all, at least you have the option to visit a regional izakaya!
"新九 栄本店 / Shinku Sakae" may be based in Nagoya, but it serves a type of cuisine from much further south: Kyushu.
And more specifically, the Hakata region, which is known for its delicious food and drink.
In terms of food, their main specialties are motsu nabe (offal hotpot) and bite-sized gyoza dumplings, which are Hakata favourites.
But the extensive menu also offers other interesting dishes from the region, including shabu shabu, lotus root chips, and even a variety of fried foods.
But it wouldn’t be Kyushu cuisine without some shochu to accompany those southern flavours.
Shochu is a distilled alcoholic drink famous in the south of Japan, often made from sweet potatoes, rice, or barley, though a lot of brewers get creative with their ingredients.
All of this is served in an inviting space with tables, counter seats, and private rooms with nods to Kyushu culture throughout.
Experience a little bit of Japan’s south in this lively Sakae izakaya.
きばくもん 栄店 / Kibakumon Sakae
Keeping to the theme of Kyushu delicacies, "きばくもん 栄店 / Kibakumon Sakae" is an izakaya that also focuses on the famed cuisine of Hakata.
While Kibakumon Sakae also has seasonal motsu nabe, what sets it apart is its good variety of yakitori, or skewered grilled chicken and other grilled items.
Their skewered dishes can be ordered one by one, starting at 200 yen, meaning you can easily try different flavors and styles without committing to large plates.
These smaller bites and plates like chicken meatball or pork belly skewers, alongside gyoza dumplings or edamame, are great for drinking.
This style of eating a bit and drinking a bit is typical at izakaya, and a great way to get the full experience.
When it comes to the drinks, alongside the usual beers and sake options of izakaya, "きばくもん 栄店 / Kibakumon Sakae" takes pride in its fruity and flavourful “chu-hai”, which are shochu cocktails made with fresh fruit.
Just a few minutes from Sakae Station, "きばくもん 栄店 / Kibakumon Sakae" is a lively and reasonably priced izakaya private rooms as well as casual seating.
You can book a course meal and leave the menu decisions to the kitchen, or order bit by bit to try out some new food.
Either way, it’s a great option to try out a Sakae izakaya.
道南農林水産部 栄店 / Donan Norin Suisanbu Sakae
Looking in the entirely opposite direction of Kyushu, "道南農林水産部 栄店 / Donan Norin Suisanbu Sakae" focuses instead on Japan’s north: Hokkaido.
Hokkaido is also known across Japan for its incredible food, but for entirely different reasons.
One of the main reasons is for its delicious seafood and fresh produce, which is actually a part of its name (norin suisanbu means agriculture, forestry, and fisheries).
Seafood at "道南農林水産部 栄店 / Donan Norin Suisanbu Sakae" comes in all sorts of dishes throughout the year, from refreshing sashimi and sushi bowls to warming hotpot and luxurious crab.
Their seafood products come fresh directly from Hokkaido’s well-known Hakodate port.
They take particular pride in their sea urchin and salmon roe.
Of course, there are other Hokkaido specialties too, like beef, fried chicken “Sangi”, and velvety rich dairy desserts.
The Hokkaido specialties don’t stop at the food, either.
There is also an array of Hokkaido drinks to choose from, including specialty shochu and Sapporo beer.
But what you won’t find elsewhere are there Hokkaido milk cocktails, like their Caramel Milk or Cassis Milk concoctions.
This izakaya takes on the lively and welcoming atmosphere of the Hakodate fish market, and offers set course meals and all-you-can-drink options, all for reasonable prices.
芋蔵 栄店 / Imozo Sakae
Taking things back down south once again, "芋蔵 栄店 / Imozo Sakae" takes care in its recreation of Kyushu favourites, but what sets it apart is its impressive selection of drinks.
"芋蔵 栄店 / Imozo Sakae"’s food menu consists of sizzling pork shabu shabu and motsu nabe hotpot alongside a variety of southern favourites using Kyushu ingredients, like pork belly skewers and “lava cooked Chicken”.
This can all be accompanied by smaller dishes including gyoza dumplings, fish, and all sorts of sides.
But it’s the selection of shochu and other drinks that really shine at "芋蔵 栄店 / Imozo Sakae".
Specially selected to pair with their menu, the izakaya boasts over 100 different types of shochu, from premium classic Kagoshima shochu to uniquely flavoured brown sugar or banana varieties.
Of course, there are cocktails, beers, and non-alcoholic fruit juices, too.
One of the best ways to make sure you get all the highlights is to get a set course with the all-you-can-drink option, but items can also be ordered individually to try out their range of dishes.
The entire floor or restaurant can be booked out for larger parties, but is equally as enjoyable for smaller groups.
Take in the warm lighting and warm atmosphere of this famously warm region, and be transported to Kyushu with these southern specialties.
三代目鳥メロ 栄広小路店 / Tori Mero Sakae Hirokoji
Instead of focusing on a regional cuisine, "三代目鳥メロ 栄広小路店 / Tori Mero Sakae Hirokoji" makes it their mission to provide their customers with delicious drinks and yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) at great prices.
Yakitori literally means “grilled chicken”, so there are all sorts of chicken dishes at Tori Mero.
From breast and thigh to skin and liver, each dish is salted or sauced and grilled to perfection.
But this Nagoya izakaya doesn’t stop there.
There are also plenty of vegetable and meat skewers, and the breaded, deep-fried delicious dish known as kushi katsu.
This can all be accompanied by fish, egg, and meat sides, or finished off with a creamy dessert.
All of these salty and umami flavours are perfect for an evening of trying out different Japanese drinks.
And thanks to "三代目鳥メロ 栄広小路店 / Tori Mero Sakae Hirokoji"’s inexpensive selection, you’ll probably find yourself trying a few more than one!
Their drinks range from original High Balls and beer to simple cocktails and fruit liqueurs.
"三代目鳥メロ 栄広小路店 / Tori Mero Sakae Hirokoji" has a clean look and laid-back atmosphere, great for any izakaya occasion.
Explore the Drinking Scene of Sakae
This is just a peek into the varied drinking scene of Sakae and wider Nagoya.
The area is a great spot to get to know Japan’s izakaya culture, whether that is through regional dishes and drinks from around the country, or simple cooking techniques that pack a punch with their delicious ingredients.
Pull up a chair, and get to know what it means to spend an evening at an izakaya in Sakae!
Written by Cassandra Lord
After studying Japanese at university, I moved to Japan in 2018 to experience Japanese culture first-hand.
It wasn’t long until I developed an interest in Japanese cooking, and now I’m always experimenting in the kitchen, cooking anything from okonomiyaki to goya chanpuru.
That all started in Tokyo, so the city will always have a place in my heart, but now that I live in a more rural area, I have fallen in love with small towns and regional cuisine and culture.
I want to continue exploring and experiencing Japan as much as I can.