Recommended izakaya in the Morioka area! 15 places you should definitely stop by

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Banya Nagasawa is an izakaya located about a 10-minute walk from the north exit of Morioka Station, near the Saien police box. It has a good reputation for dishes made with ingredients from Iwate Prefecture and local Japanese sake.

The restaurant is a relocated nanbu-magariya (traditional L-shaped farmhouse), a traditional house style that connects the stable and main house. You can feel the charm of a traditional wooden building from more than 150 years ago.

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Much of the menu centers on seafood sourced from around the country, especially from ports in Sanriku and Miyako off the coast of Iwate Prefecture. Inside, there is also a large fish tank where you can see the fresh seafood.

Not only is the sashimi (raw sliced fish) fresh, but there are also times when you can enjoy locally made fresh Japanese sake.

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Their specialty is banya-yaki (fishermen-style hearth-grilled seafood), where seafood is grilled over an irori (sunken hearth). At tables without an irori, guests grill and eat it over a small shichirin (charcoal brazier).

The toasty aroma is said to whet your appetite so much that you may end up eating more than you planned. This simple cooking method lets you fully enjoy the natural flavors of the ingredients.

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Sanmaime Sukegoro Odori Ten is an izakaya on Odori, the largest downtown entertainment district in Morioka City. Its exterior, which looks like a giant wooden barrel, is the landmark.

Inside, the space has a modern feel that combines traditional Japanese wood with Western-style chandeliers. Every seat is either a Semi-private room or a Private room, making it easy to relax.

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In Sanriku, the Pacific coastal region centered on Iwate Prefecture, they source seafood caught that very day directly from the fishermen.

Their specialty is the "Sashi-mori Sukegoro," an assortment of fresh seafood served as sashimi. You can also enjoy fish that are unique to that season.

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They also offer meat dishes such as Teppan-yaki made with Koshino Gyuo (brand beef), a branded beef raised in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture.

They also have locally produced Japanese sake, and you can try some rare labels. There are also several All you can drink courses, and one nice point is that you can choose based on the drinks you want.

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People who like Japanese sake, and even first-time Japanese sake drinkers, appreciate that the staff give advice so it is easy to enjoy.

They have more than 50 kinds of sake from around Japan. It is served in wine glasses, so you can really enjoy the aroma.

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They also offer food dishes that pair well with Japanese sake. The seasonings are kept light so they do not get in the way of the aroma of the Japanese sake, and they make the most of the ingredients' natural flavors.

The "Omakase appetizer plate" includes roast beef, fish, cheese, and more, and each item is said to go well with Japanese sake.

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Chisan Chisho Izakaya Tako is an izakaya located in Morioka’s downtown entertainment district, between Odori and Chuodori. The restaurant values chisan chisho (local production for local consumption), serving fresh locally harvested agricultural produce and seafood in the area where they are grown and caught.

Inside, wooden table sets with a well-worn, inviting look line the space. It is a good pick when you want to enjoy lively drinks with people close to you.

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In line with the “tako” in the restaurant’s name, they offer several food items made with tako (octopus). The standard choice is chunky cuts of octopus.

Fresh octopus can be enjoyed in many ways, such as fried in batter or tossed with vegetables and kimchi.

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They also have a wide selection of Japanese sake from Iwate Prefecture. They carry labels from many different breweries, so you can also enjoy comparing drinks.

They also serve dishes made with locally caught oysters and scallops, making this an izakaya where you can eat and drink flavors unique to Iwate.

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This izakaya is located on the north exit side of Morioka Station, near Exit A1. It is a place where you can enjoy fresh seafood, along with Iwate-produced brand chicken and local dishes.

The restaurant has a modern Japanese feel, with counter seats, table seats, and elegant Private room options. It is a versatile place for many different occasions.

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Fresh fish caught off the Sanriku coast in the Pacific, along Iwate Prefecture and its neighboring prefectures, is the specialty. Because it is so fresh, you can enjoy it not only as sashimi but also as grilled fish.

The signature item is the “Takarabune-mori assortment.” It is a luxurious menu item with several kinds of sashimi beautifully arranged on a small wooden boat.

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Not only seafood from Iwate Prefecture, but dishes made with brand pork and brand chicken such as Iwate Nakabuta and Oshu Iwai Dori are also popular.

They also offer dishes such as yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and dried fish grilled right at your table on a small tabletop stove. Including Hot Pot dishes, part of the appeal is enjoying the cooking right in front of you.

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Uotonya Uokinta is an izakaya (Japanese pub) near the North Exit of Morioka Station, close to Exit B6. Run by a shop that deals in fresh fish, it serves fresh seafood brought in directly from the port of Miyako in Iwate Prefecture.

With its casual setting, it is just right for lively drinks with friends. For groups of up to 70 people, there is a spacious zashiki (tatami seating) area on the 4th floor.

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The specialty sashimi assortment can be ordered from just one serving, and they also offer a lavish assortment with many kinds of fresh sashimi.

The seafood is known for its outstanding freshness, and people say everything is tasty, from grilled dishes to fried dishes beyond the sashimi.

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They offer a wide selection of Japanese sake, mainly from Iwate Prefecture, with many labels that pair well with fish.

They also serve lunch on certain days of the week, and the reasonably priced set meal with rice and miso soup, centered on sashimi (sliced raw fish) or fried fish, is said to be popular.

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This restaurant is about a 10-minute walk from the north exit of Morioka Station, near the Eigakandori bus stop. You can enjoy Japanese cuisine that combines ingredients from Iwate Prefecture with seasonal ingredients sourced from around the country.

The calm interior has a traditional Japanese touch. You can enjoy a quiet, relaxed meal while looking out at the small garden.

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The food made by the head chef, who trained at famous washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine) restaurants in Tokyo, is well regarded for bringing out the natural umami of the ingredients.

One of the popular menu items is kushiyaki (grilled skewers) made with Iwate brand chicken and duck meat called "Iwate Gamo." They are said to be tasty even with simple seasoning.

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You can also enjoy tempura, made by coating and frying seasonal vegetables and sansai (mountain vegetables). It looks like you can enjoy flavors that are unique to that time of year.

They also offer plenty of dishes that pair well with alcohol such as Japanese sake. They also stock Japanese sake brought in from all over Japan.

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Shiki Tsurezure Chacha is located in an alley in the downtown area, about a 10-minute walk from Morioka Station. Reviews say it feels more relaxed than an izakaya and easier to drop into than a formal upscale restaurant.

They also have counter seats where you can watch the cooking, as well as Semi-private room and Private room seating with a sense of privacy.

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You can enjoy dishes made with seasonal ingredients that are unique to that time of year, including seafood and vegetables. Every dish is carefully prepared and is known for its beautiful presentation.

The sashimi changes daily, and the day's recommendations are written on the menu board, so you can choose from there.

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You can enjoy classic Japanese dishes such as dashimaki tamago (Japanese rolled omelet made with dashi and egg) and tempura made with seasonal vegetables and seafood.

For rice dishes such as sushi and onigiri (rice balls), they use rice from Iwate Prefecture.

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Osake to Meshi Tashinami is an izakaya tucked away in an alley off Odori, the downtown entertainment district of Morioka City. It is a place where you can mainly enjoy seafood dishes and Japanese sake from Iwate Prefecture.

The calm interior has a traditional Japanese feel, with counter and table seating. Since it stays open late into the night, it is also recommended for a second or third stop.

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The specialty is the kaisen moriawase (seafood assortment), which changes depending on what comes in that day. You can order from one serving, and even a single portion lets you enjoy a wide variety of seafood.

They always have about 10 kinds of Japanese sake from the Tohoku region on hand, and you may also come across labels of Japanese sake that are only available during that season.

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Their "sumibiyaki (charcoal grilling)," where you grill octopus and squid over a small shichirin (tabletop charcoal grill), is also popular. They grill the fresh ingredients just as they are, and they are said to be good enough with just a little salt added when eating.

They also say it is fun to grill and snack on himono (dried fish) yourself. They also offer rice dishes that make a good finishing meal after drinks.

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Taishu Baniku Sakaba Umaru Morioka Odori Ten is an izakaya near the Eigakandori bus stop in Morioka’s downtown entertainment district. It is a place where you can enjoy baniku (horse meat) dishes and local Kyushu cuisine in Iwate.

The casual space pairs concrete walls with woody table sets. It is also a good choice when you want to enjoy a lively drink.

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Basashi (horse meat cuisine), part of Japan’s unique food culture. It has a texture and taste similar to beef, but it is low in fat and has a light, clean flavor.

Horses have a high body temperature and fewer bacteria, and freezing is said to make the meat safe to eat. After thawing and slicing it thinly, it is served as sashimi or steak.

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You can also enjoy mentaiko (spicy pollock roe) and satsuma-age (deep-fried fish cake), which are often eaten in Kyushu. One popular menu item is a fried lotus root dish with mentaiko sandwiched inside.

There is also a wide selection of drinks included in the All you can drink plan, and you can add All you can drink even when ordering only a la carte dishes.

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Mugen is an izakaya (Japanese pub) located along Odori, the downtown entertainment district of Morioka. It is well known for its delicious creative Japanese cuisine made with local ingredients.

The stylish atmosphere, which blends traditional Japanese paintings with chandeliers and other touches, is also popular. They have Private rooms for from 2 to 20 people depending on the group size, as well as zashiki (tatami seating) that can accommodate more than 40 people.

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The menu is wide ranging, from sashimi (raw fish) and meat dishes to pasta and desserts. If you are visiting with a group, the courses that come with All you can drink seem like a good deal.

The popular choice is an assortment of sashimi made with fresh seafood delivered directly from the port. The bright presentation also gets good reviews.

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The menu also has plenty of meat dishes. Popular choices include large Kara-age made with chicken and dishes paired with cheese.

They also offer meal options such as Rice bowls topped with a variety of ingredients and ramen. There is also a menu for children, so it is a good pick for families.

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Shoya Morioka Odori Ten is an izakaya located about a 3-minute walk along Odori toward the prefectural office from the Odori 3-chome intersection. It is the Morioka Odori restaurant of a chain with restaurants nationwide.

On weekdays, it is open for lunch and dinner, and on weekends it stays open straight through from daytime to night.

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The specialty here is seafood made with fresh natural fish. Skilled chefs carefully fillet and serve seasonal seafood sourced from fishing ports all over Japan at the restaurant.

At certain times of year, they also serve locally produced raw oysters unique to Iwate Prefecture.

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Shoya is an izakaya (Japanese pub) that was founded more than 50 years ago, and it serves long loved dishes such as yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and nimono (simmered dishes).

This restaurant works well for anything from dining alone to group gatherings. If you are coming with a large party, a course with All you can drink is recommended.

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Robata to Oden Koronagirai Morioka Ten is an izakaya located about a 1-minute walk in from Odori on the Morioka Castle Park side. It is the Morioka branch of a popular izakaya from Tokyo.

The interior has a warm feel with plenty of wood, where you can relax and enjoy your meal at an easy pace. It stays open from evening until late at night, so it is also a good choice for a second or third stop.

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The specialty is oden (Japanese stew). It is made by simmering ingredients such as daikon radish and chikuwa (fish cake) in a broth made from katsuobushi (bonito flakes) and kombu kelp.

They also offer an All you can eat plan for oden. You can order whichever ingredients you want from the oden in the large Hot Pot, apparently.

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Charcoal grilled shrimp and himono (dried fish) are also popular for their great aroma and how well they pair with alcohol.

The rice based menu is also extensive. You can also enjoy udon, fried rice, and sushi topped so generously it nearly spills over.

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Uma Kara-age to Izaka-meshi Mirai Zaka Morioka Ekimae Ten is an izakaya near Exit B1 of Morioka Station. The hanging lanterns are the landmark.

The bright interior has a Japanese modern design. Seating is available from the 1st to the 3rd floor, including spacious table seating and zashiki (tatami seating where you take off your shoes).

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The specialty here is a bone-in chicken dish with an impressive size. They use chicken from Seiryu Wakadori, raised in an environment blessed with clean water.

You can enjoy it as Kotsuki Momo Ippon Glove-yaki, a large bone-in chicken leg grilled whole on a Teppan-yaki plate, or as large pieces of Kara-age.

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"Ika no ichiya-boshi (overnight dried squid)," made by drying squid overnight to concentrate its flavor, is an entertaining dish that the staff grills right in front of you.

The drink menu is also extensive, and it includes cocktails made with organically grown tomatoes.

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Morioka CHUBO Happi Odori Ten is an izakaya near the Odori 3-chome intersection. The name Happi comes from the wish for customers to feel happy.

The interior is designed with the feel of a taishu izakaya (casual Japanese pub) from around the 1950s. It is a casual spot that works well for both small groups and larger parties.

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They offer a full lineup of chicken dishes. Their signature item is “oke yakitori (bucket-style grilled chicken),” made by placing a heated stone in a wooden tub and filling it with charcoal-grilled chicken. You can enjoy hot yakitori to the very last bite.

The Kara-age assortment featuring different chicken cuts is a great pick for fried chicken lovers.

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You can also try Morioka reimen (Morioka cold noodles), a local specialty of Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture. This dish pairs chewy noodles with a cold soup made from chicken bones and other ingredients.

The drink menu is also extensive, and they also offer alcohol served in large mugs, so you can enjoy drinks at a good price.