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15 Izakaya in the Oji area! Places where you can enjoy a night of drinks that go down smoothly with excellent food

Photograph:Yss716

15 Izakaya in the Oji area! Places where you can enjoy a night of drinks that go down smoothly with excellent food

In the Oji area of Kita City, Tokyo, there are Oji Station and Oji-ekimae Station, with convenient access to central Tokyo areas such as Ueno. Here, we have put together a list of recommended izakaya (Japanese pubs) in the Oji area, where many places to eat and drink are gathered. Izakaya are casual places where you can enjoy alcohol and small dishes that pair well with it. Be sure to enjoy the different atmosphere and character of each place as well.

Created: July 21, 2026

This article is based on1,061Tabelog reviews.

Motsuyaki Haru

Motsuyaki Haru is an izakaya (Japanese pub) centered on dishes made with fresh motsu (offal).

The compact interior has a lively, upbeat feel, with counter seats as well as tables. It is said to be easy to use for a wide range of occasions, from having a drink alone to getting together with close friends.

You can enjoy dishes such as kushiyaki (grilled skewers) and stews made with exceptionally fresh motsu (offal).

Among the motsu dishes, the "motsu nikomi (offal stew)" is especially popular. People say the motsu has a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture, with irresistible savory flavor and just the right saltiness.

The alcohol lineup includes regularly rotating Japanese sake and easy-to-drink lemon sour, among other options.

The motsu (offal) kushiyaki (grilled skewers), which also make great otsumami (dishes to enjoy with alcohol), come in various cuts such as tongue (salt) and kashira (cheek meat).

6597bb

The meat is incredibly fresh. It seems they have very good suppliers. I also enjoyed cuts I had never heard of before. For sours, the mega size is a great deal.

Source:6597bb's review

ユーカリのコアラ

・Motsu Nikomi (stewed offal)
You can really tell it has been carefully prepared〜. This dish shows how much care goes into handling the motsu〜. The broth it is simmered in is also very tasty, and I kept scooping it up with a spoon and bringing it to my mouth again and again〜

Source:ユーカリのコアラ's review

きくひぃ

The motsuyaki (grilled offal) was very good! They also had cuts you do not often see at other places, and it definitely pairs very well with alcohol.

Source:きくひぃ's review

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Venezia Sakaba Ombra

Venetsia Sakaba Ombra, in a great location just a 10-second walk from the North Exit of JR Oji Station, is a popular spot where you can fully enjoy the bacaro style of traditional bars from Venice, Italy.

The first floor has counter seating, while the basement has table seating in a hideaway-like layout.

Cicheti, small plates that pair well with wine, are lined up in the showcase.

You can order cicheti from about 10 daily changing menu items such as vegetables and seafood. There is also an Omakase assortment of 4 kinds of Appetizers.

The wines come from Veneto, a region in northeastern Italy.

You can enjoy about 20 kinds of bottled wine and barrel-fresh Venetian wine shipped directly from Venice by the glass. They also have daily wine recommendations, so this is a great pick for wine lovers.

うっっちょ

An Italian restaurant a friend recommended, located just a short walk from Oji Station. It was my first time there, and it had a really nice atmosphere! The staff explained the dishes carefully, and I enjoyed the meal very much!! The wine was great too! It’s a place I’d love to visit again!!

Source:うっっちょ's review

gyouzachan

We ordered all kinds of dishes again this time, and everything was good, so we were very Manzoku. The Appetizers assortment had a cute presentation, and it was fun to try a little bit of many different things, so we ordered it again this time. We also had lasagna, cheese, truffle salami, a fish dish, pasta, and more. We enjoyed it all with white wine. I’d love to visit again if I have the chance!

Source:gyouzachan's review

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Nikuya no Italia Sakaba Mario

Located near Oji-ekimae Station, Nikuya no Itaria Sakaba Mario is an Italian restaurant centered on meat dishes, and the menu includes plans with All you can drink, so you can use it as a bar or izakaya (Japanese pub).

What creates the stylish atmosphere is the many photos displayed like art.

Mario's Outside skirt steak is a popular menu item that takes 2 days to prepare.

By marinating it with kombu kelp, they bring out a tender texture and rich flavor. The grilling is said to be spot on as well, making it juicy.

The Appetizers assortment lets you enjoy a range of flavors little by little, and it comes highly recommended as a snack to go with wine.

The wine selection is Special, with options like magnum wine in the usual double-size bottle and natural wine.

Starting with an Appetizers assortment, the restaurant offers a wide variety of meat dishes, including chicken shirareba (white liver) smoked in an instant and smoked pork tongue. The signature Outside skirt steak is juicy and full of flavor, and I also enjoyed the taste of low temperature cooking and Aged meat. To finish, the pasta and house-made tiramisu were both highly satisfying, and they paired great with wine.

Source:https://www.doom.now.cc/en/tokyo/A1323/A132303/13200210/dtlrvwlst/B520478092/

けいくん8329

The Appetizers assortment is quite filling and perfect to go with wine. The Outside skirt steak is a must order. It was tender and packed with flavor. It offers great value for the price, so I’d love to come back.

Source:けいくん8329's review

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Kaisen Taishu Sakaba Ru Unari

Kaisen Taishu Sakaba Le Unari is a popular restaurant known for its seafood dishes.

Reviews say it is an izakaya (Japanese pub) that is easy to drop into. It has seating on the first and second floors, with counter, table, and sofa seats.

They source fresh fish from the market every day. The cooking methods are varied, including grilling and simmering, and they bring out the appeal of the seafood.

A particularly popular menu item is the sashimi assortment, which lets you enjoy the fresh fish directly.

The menu includes courses with All you can drink for groups of 4 or more. This plan lets you enjoy plenty of draft beer and highballs.

The dishes in the plan are said to be a lineup that pairs well with drinks, including a sashimi assortment and Appetizers.

肉肉しい292941

The iwashi (sardine) was so good I ordered another serving. The hotaruika (firefly squid) snack was also so good I ordered another serving. The fish was so tasty that the drinks just kept flowing. I think about half of what I spent went on alcohol.

Source:肉肉しい292941's review

AKIRA823_Love

It’s a restaurant with Surprising good fish dishes! The tachiuo (cutlassfish) lightly seared sashimi was incredibly delicious. The madara (Pacific cod) soft roe was also plump, rich, and delicious! The fried horse mackerel was served rare with very fresh fish, and it was amazingly good. The tachiuo tempura was also excellent!!

Source:AKIRA823_Love's review

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herb & beer dining Shunpu Senri

"herb & beer dining Shunpu Senri" is a beer bar where you can casually enjoy beers from around the world and herb dishes.

The brown-toned interior has a bar counter and sofa seating as well.

The food lineup is extensive, ranging from izakaya menu standards to dishes made with herbs grown on the restaurant’s own farm.

The grilled pork spare ribs are said to have a nice aroma of herbs and spices that goes well with beer.

The beer manager has selected 200 bottled beers and 9 taps of craft beer.

The "from Original Brewing to Oji 1-chome Bakushu"—whose flavor changes with the seasons—is also popular.

がっちゃんログ

They had a very wide selection of beer, and even though I do not know much about it, the staff explained everything carefully and helped me choose a glass that suited my taste. I usually end up drinking only the standard beers, so it was nice and refreshing to be able to choose from such a wide range.

Source:がっちゃんログ's review

ころると

The camembert ajillo with baguette on the side was especially great. When I put it on the baguette, the camembert melted and became one with the bread...it was so good I could have eaten it forever (I actually ordered another baguette lol). The refrigerators lined up along the wall were packed with craft beer! You can compare and taste all kinds, including IPA.

Source:ころると's review

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Pizzeria Alberi

At Pizzeria Alberi, you can enjoy pizza made with house-made dough along with craft beer.

The interior is a small, calm space with a few counter seats and tables.

Natural yeast from Shirakami Sanchi (a vast mountainous region spanning Aomori and Akita prefectures) is used in the pizza dough.

The dough is baked after you order, and it is said to be thin with a chewy texture.

For alcohol, they offer assorted varieties available of craft beer that go well with pizza, as well as "Jikasei Sansho Hai (house-made Japanese pepper highball)," red and white wine, and more.

There are also different kinds of pizza, including limited-time seasonal items, so pairing them sounds like a lot of fun.

nori nori39306

Here, Bismarck pizza and craft beer are a must-have pairing. The roasted vegetables from the pizza oven are also delicious, and you can of course enjoy the pizza in the restaurant or take it home as a souvenir. Another nice touch is that they carefully pour the craft beer into a dedicated glass. The owner is also friendly and polite. If I come to Oji (a district in Tokyo) again, this is a place I’ll definitely stop by.

Source:nori nori39306's review

Luft258

The restaurant serves authentic Italian pizza with a thin crust, and the margherita has a juicy tomato flavor. We also ordered the recommended Mexican pizza, with a rich meat sauce and the kind of spicy kick you expect from Mexican flavors. The sansho highball (Japanese pepper highball) was interesting too, and we had a great time eating with friends.

Source:Luft258's review

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Kokitei

Kokitei is an izakaya popular for dishes made with jidori (free-range chicken) and fresh seafood delivered from Miyazaki Prefecture. The lively dining room, busy with everyone from regulars to families, has a warm and homey feel.

At the restaurant, you can enjoy a light drink and a few snacks at the counter seats, or settle in at a table and chat over drinks.

The "Sumibi Momo-niku Aburi-yaki (charcoal grilled chicken thigh)" gets good reviews for its tasty flavor that goes great with drinks, bringing out the good taste of chicken with a fragrant charcoal aroma.

The "Sumibi Seseri Aburi-yaki (charcoal grilled chicken neck)" uses meat from the chicken neck, and is said to offer a unique springy and pleasantly crunchy texture.

The menu features appealing dishes such as sashimi made with carefully selected fresh fish chosen by the owner and "Miyazaki hassho (originating in Miyazaki) chicken nanban (fried chicken with tartar sauce)".

They also offer a wide selection of shochu (a distilled spirit made from ingredients such as rice or barley), which is said to pair well with Japanese food.

A friend told me, "This place is really good, so I highly recommend it!" and that is what brought me here for my first visit. The menu has an incredibly wide variety of options, and there was so much to choose from that I could hardly decide, which kept me excited the whole time. The quality of the drinks is very good, and they also have rare labels, which makes it a big plus that you can enjoy pairing them with the food.

Source:https://www.doom.now.cc/en/tokyo/A1323/A132303/13118230/dtlrvwlst/B522370193/

ram_1

The charcoal grilled chicken thigh is a must. The generous portion was very Manzoku. The chicken nanban was tender and really delicious. We finished with ramen. The soup on this was also very good.

Source:ram_1's review

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Nasetttei

Meitantei is an izakaya (Japanese pub) that has been loved by locals since it first opened in 1980, tucked away at the back of an alley near Oji Jinja (Oji Shrine).

Inside, the lively sound of customers chatting creates a nice, comfortable atmosphere.

The fresh fish is sourced by the owner from Toyosu Shijo (Toyosu Market). The sashimi comes in large cuts and is fresh, with the good flavor of the seafood spreading across your mouth.

They offer a variety of Homemade menu items, including fish and meat dishes. Everything is said to be high quality.

The house-made soba noodles made with buckwheat flour from Hokkaido are a popular menu item, limited to 15 servings. Soba noodles are considered one of Japan's traditional noodle dishes. They also pair well with Japanese sake and shochu.

Because the selection of Japanese sake and shochu is wide, some customers tell the staff their preferences and have them choose for them.

サクラ0324

The portions were generous, and the food came out quickly. They also have a wide selection of Japanese sake, and since it is not listed on the menu, you choose what you want to drink from the refrigerator and order it. My personal favorites were the fried rice and motsu-nabe (offal Hot Pot). They also have soba to finish the meal, so I would like to try that too.

Source:サクラ0324's review

This old school izakaya right near the north exit of Oji Station serves mainly washoku (Japanese cuisine) and kushiyaki (grilled skewers). The sashimi and grilled dishes let the quality of the ingredients stand out, and they paired well with Japanese sake and shochu (Japanese distilled spirit). The calm interior has counter seats and zashiki (tatami seating), making it perfect when you want to relax and enjoy a drink.

Source:https://www.doom.now.cc/en/tokyo/A1323/A132303/13021811/dtlrvwlst/B520478255/

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Tori Ryori Sengyo Yukari

Toriryori Sengyo Yukari, about a 1-minute walk from the North Exit of JR Oji Station, is known for its tasty creative dishes made with fresh seafood and chicken, along with good drinks.

The interior has a clean, casual look and offers a space where even solo diners can feel comfortable. There are counter seats, as well as table seating in the back.

The menu features creative dishes made with fresh fish and chicken. The restaurant’s top recommendation is an assortment of original tsukune (seasoned chicken meatballs) made with Daisendori.

Tsukune refers to a dish made by seasoning and shaping chicken or other meat. Here, the tsukune comes in a range of flavors and also makes a great snack to go with drinks.

Sours are a standard izakaya drink that many people enjoy. They are made with a distilled spirit base, tart fruit juice and sweetness added, then topped with soda water.

The "Yukari Sour" in the photo is said to be an original menu item with a shiso (perilla) flavor that makes it refreshing and easy to drink.

フジコチャンフジコチャン

The sashimi was incredibly fresh, plump and springy, rich with fat, and delicious. Yukkari-san’s sashimi makes me feel happy every time. The tempura is also freshly fried and crisp. This is a place I always look forward to visiting for its carefully prepared menu.

Source:フジコチャンフジコチャン's review

A calm restaurant where you can enjoy both chicken dishes and fresh fish. The chicken is grilled just right, with plenty of flavor, and the fresh fish is also very fresh and reassuring in quality. The seasoning is careful and well balanced overall, and it paired well with drinks. It is an easy place to choose when you want to enjoy a relaxed meal.

Source:https://www.doom.now.cc/en/tokyo/A1323/A132303/13291688/dtlrvwlst/B520477253/

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Haruharuya

Haruharuya is about a 1-minute walk from Oji Station. This izakaya (Japanese pub) gets good reviews for its wide selection of dishes that go perfectly with drinks.

Some people visit on their own, and it is said to be an easy place to drop into casually.

The food lineup is varied, with items such as kushiyaki (grilled skewers), sashimi (sliced raw fish), and tempura (Japanese deep-fried dish). One skewer dish features Joshu-buta (Joshu pork) wrapped in abura (caul fat) and grilled, giving it a juicy finish.

Every dish is said to be carefully prepared and excellent.

For alcohol, there are several options on the menu, from standard beer to frozen sours with frozen mikan (mandarin oranges) in them.

The whisky infused with fruit or tea leaves is a drink you can enjoy for its aroma and flavor, choosing the way you want it with whisky.

user567

Toward the back, there were two spacious table seats, though they were not Private rooms, along with counter seating and a table behind the counter seats. They had both sashimi and meat, so I enjoyed trying a variety of dishes, and there was also a good selection of drinks, which made it a very nice experience. I would like to visit again.

Source:user567's review

けんいち氏

A somehow comfortable and welcoming place. Two of us went in. We sipped Hoppy while ordering a few small snacks here and there. The tempura assortment was delicious.

Source:けんいち氏's review

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Ugou no Sake

Ugou no Sake, about a 4-minute walk from Oji Station, is an izakaya (Japanese pub) that is popular for its excellent shumai (steamed dumplings) and wide variety of snacks.

The lively service from the staff is also well liked, and the bright atmosphere inside makes it a great fit for a fun night out with friends or family.

One of the signature menu items is the “Manji Shumai,” with shrimp tails sticking out.

Inside the wrapper is juicy an made with a secret recipe. The flavor and texture of the shrimp add a nice accent.

The specialty menu is packed with dishes that go great with drinks. The "Butakara" is deep fried pork belly marinated in a house made sauce.

The rich seasoning and the fat from the pork belly seem like a great match for beer.

They offer a lineup of dishes that go great with drinks, including their famous oversized manji shumai, juicy butakara (fried pork), and motsuni (stewed offal), and I ended up ordering all sorts of things. The staff are lively and the atmosphere is bustling, making it perfect for drinks with friends or a casual Banquet. It can get crowded depending on the time of day, so reservations are recommended.

Source:https://www.doom.now.cc/en/tokyo/A1323/A132303/13292444/dtlrvwlst/B520477976/

9dede584159

So fun!!! It has a homey feel, and there are all kinds of food and drinks, and everything is seriously good and fun!!! I’m definitely going again! It’s open until late at night, and when you go up the stairs and open the door, it’s surprisingly spacious inside! The one with cheese on top of the egg is seriously the best! Next time I’m going there as my first stop and ordering a lot!

Source:9dede584159's review

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Pronto Oji Ten

"Pronto Oji Ten" is the Oji location of a restaurant chain with locations across Japan. It operates as a cafe during the day and switches to a sakaba (Japanese pub) at night.

At night, the subdued lighting gives the interior a calm atmosphere.

The photo shows “Tako-san Wiener 10-biki (10 octopus-shaped sausages).” These are sausages with cuts at the ends to make them look like octopuses, a style that has long been familiar in Japanese homes.

They are also popular as a snack to go with alcohol, and are a standard izakaya menu item at this restaurant.

The drinks menu offers a wide range of options, from beer with creamy foam to unique sours like “THE Coffee GIN Soda.”

In addition to ordering à la carte, the courses with All you can drink are also recommended. They offer courses with snacks and dishes, along with plenty of about 30 kinds of drinks.

mcdb_cherry

First, we ordered a beer, then followed it with the “three-kind prosciutto assortment.” It offers very high value for the price and a very generous portion. It is a perfect dish for enjoying drinks while snacking on prosciutto.

Source:mcdb_cherry's review

滝野川クリステル

When I was looking for a place to grab a light drink, I found that the cafe Pronto had turned into an izakaya (Japanese pub). The lighting was calm, and it had a nice atmosphere. I think it is a Suntory place, so they had lots of fun snacks to go with The Premium Malt's and Kaku highballs. I ordered the salmon platter.

Source:滝野川クリステル's review

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Sumibiyaki Toritaro

At Sumibiyaki Toritaro, you can enjoy a wide range of izakaya dishes, including yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and Teppan-yaki dishes.

The atmosphere inside is lively, so it feels easy to drop in without hesitation. There are table seats and counter seats.

The yakitori is made with Daisendori from Tottori Prefecture. Several cuts are available, including chicken thigh and bonjiri (tail meat), a rare cut from around the chicken's tailbone.

Along with yakitori, the grilled items also include yaki-ton (grilled pork skewers) made with pork. You can choose from several cuts, including tongue and shirokoro (pork intestine).

Alcohol options range from a wide variety of sours to Japanese sake and shochu (Japanese distilled spirit).

Even with the course that comes with All you can drink and is available for groups of 2 or more, you can enjoy plenty of different kinds of alcohol. If you pay an additional fee, you can also add draft beer.

a5am1

My favorite is the shirokoro (grilled pork intestines) with salt and fresh wasabi from the "yaki-ton (grilled pork skewers)" menu! The surface of the shirokoro is grilled nice and crisp, and the wasabi makes it go down surprisingly easily (^^) The fat is sweet and so tastyー! You should definitely order it!!

Source:a5am1's review

タベコYタベオ

Very reasonably priced! But the quality of the food is more than good enough! They also have a full range of standard a la carte dishes such as motsu nikomi (stewed offal), Kara-age, and French fries. The gobo chips (burdock chips) were sweet and very tasty!

Source:タベコYタベオ's review

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Kushikatsu Tanaka Oji Ten

Kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) is one of Osaka’s best-known soul foods. At Kushikatsu Tanaka Oji Ten, you can enjoy the carefully passed-down taste of kushikatsu.

This restaurant is a handy spot for everything from family meals to izakaya-style dining with friends.

Kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) is a dish made by skewering ingredients, coating them in batter, and deep-frying them.

At this restaurant, the most popular item is the “kushikatsu-buta (deep-fried pork skewer).” They also offer kushikatsu with vegetables, seafood, and even sweets, so you can keep eating without getting tired of it.

Along with kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), they offer a full lineup of quick snack-style dishes and Osaka gourmet that will keep the drinks coming.

If you are in the mood for a drink, try the house specialty chinchirorin highball on your next night out. It is an event where the perk changes depending on the total number rolled on the dice.

まどちん1110

I ordered an 8-skewer kushikatsu assortment, chilled tomato, Tanaka's nikudofu (meat and tofu stew), and a tomato chu-hi. The kushikatsu were fried light and crisp, and they were so good that I ate them in no time. I would like to come back again. I recommend it. It was a great meal.

Source:まどちん1110's review

r.yum499

Cheese, gari (pickled ginger), and chicken tenderloin wrapped with ume (pickled plum) and shiso leaf. The tonkatsu (pork cutlet) was really good〜. It gets pretty crowded, so it's better to make a reservation.

Source:r.yum499's review

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Yakiton Chikuzenya Oji Ten

At Yakiton Chikuzenya Oji Ten, skewers mainly featuring pork Horumon are well liked.

The interior is spacious and has a traditional Japanese feel. There are also counter seats and zashiki (tatami seating), and it is used by a wide range of customers.

For yakiton (grilled pork skewers), you can choose from savory sauce, salt, or a secret miso sauce for seasoning.

There are many different cuts, so comparing them is also recommended. In addition to ordering yakiton A la carte, they also offer a good-value assortment.

A good value course with the restaurant's specialty yakiton (grilled pork skewers), classic izakaya favorites, and All you can drink is popular.

If you want to order your favorite dishes and enjoy plenty of drinks, the even better value A la carte all-you-can-drink plan is a great fit. The drinks included in the A la carte All you can drink option can be chosen from draft beer, Japanese sake, and more.

タムタム194

After wetting my throat with a draft beer, I had kashira (pork cheek) & toro-tan (fatty beef tongue). They were tender, easy to eat, meaty, and very delicious. Since I love green peppers, the addictive piman (green pepper) went really well with the meat. For my next drink, they had Hakkaisan, so I had it as chilled sake. I was at the counter by myself for only about 30 minutes, but I enjoyed it a lot.

Source:タムタム194's review

asamiii0622

We dropped in a little after 4 on Sunday, and the spacious interior was almost full! Amazing! The yakiton (grilled pork skewers) kashira (pork head meat) was delicious! The natto omelet was also the best〜! We had a great time drinking with a mega mug and Japanese sake

Source:asamiii0622's review

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