The 10 Best Izakaya You Must Visit in Kanazawa, Japan

The ancient city Kanazawa in the Ishikawa prefecture which has been crammed with the must to visit sightseeing spots such as the [Kenrokuen], [Higashi-chaya-gai] and [Nagamachi Buke-yashiki] are great admiring tourist destinations for the Japanese. The dishes in such a town as Kanazawa will really excite you at night! In Kanazawa, many famous taverns where you can enjoy the super fresh fish and shellfish as well as the excellent sake are well provided. Here are the 10 recommended taverns in Kanazawa in ranking. Please read about them with enjoyment.

1. If you want to taste the Noto district, this is the shop full of Noto! The tavern in Kanazawa [Ajiraku Yumeri]

The [Ajiraku Yumeri] is located in the area which is a 5-minute-walk from the Kanazawa station. At this tavern, you can enjoy the fresh fish and shellfish which are directly delivered from one of the prominent ports in the Ishikawa prefecture, the Ushitsu port. The Kawahagi-kimo-ae (filefish dressed with its liver sauce) is particularly recommended. Its distinctive flavour is addictive! It has got a high popularity as a nibble which goes well with sake.

2. A great selection on the menu! The classic tavern in Kanazawa [Kuro-ya]

This tavern, [Kuro-ya] which is a 6-minute-walk from the Kanazawa station is so popular that it has been published in the guide-book. You can enjoy their superb menus centered on the fresh products from the sea! Everything such as the sashimi, grilled dishes and tempura is delicious! The recommended dish is the dashimaki-tamago (rolled omelette) with their name, [Kuro-ya] on it.

Their flagship dish is the [Kuroge-wagyu to Kaga-yasai beef-stew] (Black-(breed of cattle) beef-stew with Kaga vegetables). It is very unusual that the beef-stew is served at a tavern, isn’t it? Actually, this beef-stew has been rooted to the tavern master’s parents’ beef-stew at their western-styled restaurant in the Toyama prefecture. The exquisite stew with a melty rich texture is limited to 20 portions per day. Please try and taste just once!

3. It will warm you up! The oden shop in Kanazawa, using the secret dipping-sauce [Kuroyuri]

This [Kuroyuri] is a popular tavern which is in the [Kanazawa Hyakubangai] in the shopping mall attached to the Kanazawa station. It is directly connected to the Kanazawa station, so even travellers who use the Kanazawa station can casually drop in at this popular tavern.

The Kanazawa oden (vegetables, fish dumplings and various other ingredients of food stewed in a thin soy-sauce) is one of the Kanazawa gourmets and the one which you can taste here [Kuroyuri] is special. Their secret dipping sauce has been handed down for 50 years and has been kept to the same standard. The wide selection on the menu, from the sashimi to a grilled dish has been on offer. They also have a set-menu, so it is convenient for people who want a big meal. Why don’t you drop in at this shop when you use the Kanazawa station?

4. The inexpensive and delicious restaurant-tavern which is popular with the Kanazawa locals [Genzaemon]

The [Genzaemon] is a locally popular tavern in the Kiguramachi shopping street in Kanazawa. Its interior looks like an old-styled house. You can spend a calm time in its charming atmosphere. They have been using the fresh local fish which are directly delivered from the Kanazawa port. The sashimi, tempura and sushi are not only delicious but also they are all reasonably priced.

The variety of sake which goes very well with their dishes is plentiful and they have the unique shochu (spirit made from sweet potato) which you can’t taste at any other place. The most popular dish is the [Nodokuro-no-shioyaki] (salt grilled sea-perch) and its size and taste will be an unforgettable memory of your trip. Please try and taste it!

5. The creative cooking by the apprentice of Mr. Rokusaburo Michiba The taste of a traditional Japanese restaurant in Kanazawa [Warai-ya]

The [Warai-ya] in the Katamachi in the Kanazawa-city is a creative cooking restaurant-tavern which has been run by the apprentice of the Japanese dish chef, Mr. Rokusaburo Michiba who often appears on the TV program. At this tavern, they have been conscious about using the local fish and local organic vegetables. You can enjoy a very original elaborate cuisine from buying to eating.

The popular dish at this restaurant-tavern is the [Noto-beef steak] and [Crab-kamameshi] (rice, meat and vegetable dish served in a small pot). Both of them are excellent dishes in which you can taste the Kanazawa cuisine culture. The other Kanazawa cuisines are also well established, so it is recommended for people who visit Kanazawa for the first time.

6. The tavern in the station premises where you can casually enjoy the Kanazawa cuisine [Hacchoya Eki-no-kura Kanazawa-eki-ten]

At the reputable [Hacchoya Eki-no-kura Kanazawa-eki-ten], you can enjoy the taste of the Hokuriku region, using plenty of Kanazawa’s local ingredients. The attraction of this tavern is that you can casually enter the shop as it is in the Kanazawa Hyakka-gai in the shopping mall at the Kanazawa station. It has a superb location which is directly connected to the station and additionally, it has a classy atmosphere.

The dishes are proper high class ones. Especially, their flagship food, [Kagajibu-ni] shouldn’t be missed for its taste. As it is very close to the Bullet-train platform, it is convenient for tourists as well as people on their business trip. When you use the Kanazawa station, please drop in at this tavern.

7. The popular tavern in the sightseeing spot, Kazuemachi-chaya-gai [Kuukai]

The [Kazuemachi-chaya-gai] in the Kanazawa-city is one of the greatest famous sightseeing spots. This tavern, [Kuukai] is one of the charming shops which have been lining up along the river. The appearance of the building matches the ancient city, Kanazawa. You may be lured to go in through the noren (shop entrance curtain).

They have an extensive variety on the menu. Not only the standard Japanese cuisine or local dishes but also Italian and the western-styled dishes are well provided. It is a popular shop for both the locals and tourists. So, please book the time, if you are interested in visiting. Please drop in on your holiday.

8. The local hotels highly recommend this famous tavern in Kanazawa [Itaru Honten]

The [Itaru Honten] which is on the back street of the Kanazawa-city office is one of the taverns which I’d like you to visit when you come to Kanazawa. This is the top-class tavern in Kanazawa and popular as the local hotels also recommend it. The particular popular dish at the [Itaru Honten] is nodokuro (sea-perch). The taste of the salty-grilled nodokuro and simmered one, using the nodokuto luxuriously is exquisite.

The shop’s recommended sake is the [Tengumai-mini-tank]. Please try it at least once. Please visit the [Itaru Honten], if you want to spend a wonderful night surrounded by the delicious dishes and sake. It will surely be an unforgettable experience!

9. Taste luxuriously the products from the Japan Sea at the popular tavern in Kanazawa[Sakana-ya]

The [Sakana-ya] is a tavern in the Kanazawa Hyakka-gai. You can taste the fresh products from the Japan Sea luxuriously. Especially, the flagship dish of this tavern is the kaisen-don (rice bowl topped with seafood). The kaisen-don with heaped fresh seafood on the top of rice as if they are falling off will fully satisfy you!

As it is in the shopping mall, they are open during the daytime. The menu of the day, kaisen-don and the set-menu of sashimi or tempura are recommended at reasonable prices. The appearance of the kaisen-don in the Hokuriku region using the fresh fish directly delivered from the fish-market is gorgeous and it is a substantial amount! Please sample it!

10. The Ohmicho Market which is the store house for the Kanazawa citizens The shop for the seafood cuisine [Ohmicho seafood-market-cuisine Ichi-no-kura]

The [Ohmicho seafood-market-cuisine Ichi-no-kura] is a 15-minute-walk from the Kanazawa station.It is on the 2nd floor of the [Ohmicho Ichiba-kan] in the Ohmicho Market. You can enjoy various tastes, kaisen-don or a set-menu during daytime and the tavern’s single menu at night.

The menu which I especially recommend is the [Hasu-mushi] which is the Kanazawa local cuisine, using the Kaga-renkon (lotus root) and the fluffy texture as well as the subtle flavour may make you get addictive. This is especially recommended for all situations, such as being on your own or with your family. Please visit this tavern when you come to Kanazawa on your holiday.

Let’s taste the excellent sake together with the exquisite gourmets in Kanazawa!

Have you found this article helpful? I’ve introduced the local taverns which I’d like you to visit when you go to Kanazawa on holiday or on a trip. Whichever tavern you choose, their taste seems to be very nice, doesn’t it? In the “tavern-paradise”, Kanazawa, there are many taverns with a taste confidence apart from those taverns recommended. People who love the seasonal fresh seafood cuisine and excellent sake may fall in love with Kanazawa. Please fully enjoy Kanazawa!