In the early evening, after visiting Senso-ji Temple, many people hesitate over which izakaya—the name for a Japanese pub-style restaurant—to walk into. Asakusa has plenty of well-known and popular places, and many of them cater to tourists, so it pays to compare prices and menus before deciding which one to visit.
The twelve izakaya we’ll introduce in this article fall into three areas in Asakusa, and each costs roughly ¥2,500 to ¥5,000 ($17-$34 USD) per person for food and beverages. Knowing whether a shop has foreign-language menus and which hours are least crowded makes it much easier to pick your first destination, so read on to find out more.
Four Points to Know When Choosing an Izakaya in Asakusa
Asakusa has several drinking districts—each with its own unique atmosphere and price range—and first-time visitors often wonder which street to walk down and how much cash to bring with them. Once you’ve sorted out some details like the area you want to dine in, your budget, how to order, and timing, you can head straight to your first izakaya after you’re finished sightseeing.
1. Narrow Down Preferences in Atmosphere and Price Range by Area
Asakusa’s drinking districts fall into three main areas, and simply deciding on a neighborhood narrows down the kind of atmosphere and the budget you can expect.
| Hoppy Street | Kannon-ura | Kaminarimon-dori | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk from Senso-ji | About 6–8 min. | About 9–12 min. | About 4–6 min. |
| Atmosphere | Food-stall-style terraces; daytime drinking welcome | Deep in the back alleys; mostly local regulars; quiet | Close to the station; private dining rooms; wide range of customers |
| Venue Type/Cuisine | Simmered stews and grilled offal | Sake specialists, oden, hot pot | Griddled chicken, bars, creative dishes |
| Price Range (per person) | ¥2,000–¥3,000 | ¥4,000–¥5,000 | ¥3,000–¥5,000 |
| Best for | Solo drinkers, backpackers | Couples, repeat visitors | Groups, families |
Prices are subject to change. Please check official websites for the latest information.
If you prefer the lively vibe of open-air food stalls, Hoppy Street, close to Senso-ji, is a good choice. Or if you’d like to sit among regulars in a quiet back alley, walk a little farther to Kannon-ura, the area behind Senso-ji. Kaminarimon-dori, on the other hand, is close to the station. Its many private rooms can handle a wide range of group sizes and occasions.
2. Budget ¥2,500 to ¥5,000 per Person
A realistic bill at an izakaya in Asakusa is ¥2,500 to ¥5,000 per person. Price ranges differ by area, however, so once you’ve decided where you want to go, you can estimate how much you’ll most likely spend.
| Area | Price Range | Otoshi Charge | Notes on the Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoppy Street | ¥2,000–¥3,000 | ¥300–¥500 | Dishes are cheap, so a small budget goes a long way. Some shops take cash only |
| Kannon-ura | ¥4,000–¥5,000 | ¥300–¥500 | Sake and seasonal ingredients push the price per item up quickly |
| Kaminarimon-dori | ¥3,000–¥5,000 | ¥300–¥500 | Shops with private rooms may add a separate seating charge. Most accept credit cards |
Prices are subject to change. Please check official websites for the latest information.
Most shops add ¥300 to ¥500 to the bill for otoshi (a small dish served automatically when you take your seat, which works much like a cover charge). This is standard practice at Japan’s izakaya and you generally can’t refuse the dish or the fee. At shops with private rooms on Kaminarimon-dori, a seating charge is sometimes added on top of it.
Rising prices have also pushed up the cost per dish at a fair number of shops. If you want to keep your spending down, check the menu board at the entrance before going in.
- Hoppy Street: three or four kushiyaki skewers (bite-sized meat or vegetables grilled on a stick) plus one “Hoppy Set” (Hoppy is a beer-flavored mixer combined with shochu, a longtime favorite in Tokyo’s older neighborhoods) → about ¥2,500
- Kannon-ura: five pieces of oden (daikon radish, eggs, and fish cakes simmered in a light broth) plus one cup of sake, roughly 180ml → about ¥4,000
- Kaminarimon-dori: five or six yakitori skewers (small pieces of chicken grilled on a stick) plus two glasses of draft beer → about ¥3,500
Order along these lines and the final bill shouldn’t catch you off guard. If price matters most, head for Hoppy Street. For an anniversary or a quieter meal, go to Kannon-ura. And if you’re with a group whose numbers might change, Kaminarimon-dori is the safest choice.
3. You Can Order by Pointing at Food or Photos
Izakaya in Asakusa get a lot of tourists, and they’ve worked out ways for patrons to order even without a shared language:
- Pointing: pointing at the ingredients behind the counter can help get your order across. At a skewer restaurant, holding up two fingers means “two skewers”
- Photos: many izakaya include photos on their menus, so a gesture to the picture of what you’d like is often enough to complete an order
- Touch panels: more and more venues are using terminals that include English. An “English menu” sticker on the door is the sign to look for
When staff at a skewer place asks whether you want salt or sauce, saying “Salt please” or “Sauce please” is enough. Restaurants that display food samples or photo panels out front tend to have easy-to-read menus inside as well.
4. The Best Time for Your First Stop Is Right After Senso-ji Closes
The ideal moment to secure a seat at your first izakaya is when the main hall of Senso-ji closes at 5 pm. On weekdays, many izakaya still have open tables in the 5 pm hour, and you can get in without waiting. After 6 pm, however, regulars and tourists arrive in larger numbers. During the 8 pm to 9 pm rush, small places fill up quickly. Note that on weekends and holidays places become crowded from 5 pm, so arriving between 3 pm and 4 pm is much better.
If you plan to hop between several venues, decide on your candidates in advance. Hoppy Street to Kaminarimon-dori is a five to eight minute walk from end to end, so allow yourself sixty to ninety minutes at each izakaya or restaurant.
Tokyo: Asakusa Guided Food Tour with 12 Dishes & 3 Drinks
Four Recommended Izakaya on Asakusa’s Hoppy Street
Hoppy Street—the well-known lane in Asakusa that’s lined with casual pubs—has many shops that look alike, making choosing a single spot difficult. Four izakaya with clearly different characters stand out here, and in the following section we’ll compare their signature dishes and their availability of foreign-language support so you can quickly find the place that suits your tastes and needs.
Sakaba Yamaka Shoten: A Corner Shop With Sashimi from Toyosu Market
Sakaba Yamaka Shoten is an unusual restaurant on Hoppy Street: it’s directly run by a wholesaler at Toyosu Market and offers fresh sashimi as its signature dish. Assorted seafood platters share a menu filled with the stews and grilled dishes more typical of Hoppy Street.
Sakaba Yamaka Shoten sits on a corner of the street, which makes it convenient and easy to combine with other stops. Its flavors differ from the usual simmered stews that define Hoppy Street, so it’s a great place to go when you want a change of taste. The first floor has open seating, making it easy to drop in on your own.
Details
| Address | 2-3-14 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Hours | 10:00 am–11:00 pm |
| Closed | Irregular closures |
| Official website | https://www.instagram.com/yamaka_sakaba/ |
| Best for | Sashimi lovers, solo drinkers who want to eat fish midway through a pub crawl |
Tonpei: A Well-Known Venue Famous for Kimchi Stew
Tonpei’s specialty is “Kimchi Pokka,” pork belly and tofu simmered in a mildly spicy broth. A soy-sauce-based beef tendon stew is also available, so those who prefer to skip the spicy food still have options.
With forty-six seats, Tonpei is a relatively large izakaya, and they offer outdoor tables as well as tatami seating. From the counter you can watch the stews come together up close, surrounded by the atmosphere of an old-style Japanese tavern.
Details
| Address | 2-3-17 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Hours | Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 11:00 am–11:00 pm; Sat: 10:00 am–11:00 pm; Sun: 10:00 am–10:00 pm (confirm current hours before visiting) |
| Closed | Wednesdays |
| Official website | Not listed |
| Best for | Travelers who want variety in flavor, fans of spicy food |
Motsukushi: Compare Three Flavors of Stew Side by Side
Motsukushi’s signature dish is the “Nikomi Sanpin Mori,” a platter of three stews seasoned with soy sauce, salt, and miso. Tasting the three side by side is an efficient way to get acquainted with the dish Hoppy Street is famous for.
Motsukushi opens at 11 am on weekdays and 9 am on weekends and holidays, so it’s a convenient place to stop by for a daytime drink after a late-morning visit to Senso-ji. The second floor has zashiki (tatami-floor seating), which is roomier than the table area and workable even for families with small children.
Details
| Address | 2-3-16 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Hours | 11:00 am–11:00 pm |
| Closed | Irregular closures |
| Official website | https://www.instagram.com/motsukushiasakusa/ |
| Best for | Travelers on a short stay, newcomers who want to try several flavors at once, families |
Asakusa Sakaba Okamoto: The Street’s Largest Shop, with Multilingual Menus
Asakusa Sakaba Okamoto has menus in English, Chinese, and Korean, so ordering is straightforward even if you’re unsure about your Japanese. You can also choose dishes from photos, which is helpful for travelers visiting an Asakusa tavern for the first time. The house specialty at Asakusa Sakaba Okamoto is a stew of beef tendon and offal called “Ganso Gyusuji Motsu Nikomi.”
With seating for about one hundred people, Asakusa Sakaba Okamoto is large by Hoppy Street standards and good for couples and larger groups alike. You can reserve seats online: booking ahead makes sense if crowds are a concern and you already know what time you want to arrive.
Details
| Address | 1-40-7 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Hours | Mon–Sat: 11:00 am–11:00 pm; Sun: 11:00 am–10:30 pm |
| Closed | Irregular closures |
| Official website | https://asakusasakaba-okamoto.owst.jp/ |
| Best for | First-time visitors to Japan worried about the language, groups, anyone who wants to book online |
Four Recommended Izakaya Around Senso-ji
Behind Senso-ji, in Kannon-ura, well-known shops with a local clientele are scattered throughout the streets. Four distinctive places here stand apart from the usual tourist-oriented options. One is a retro diner, and another is a long-time oden specialist, and either one is a solid choice as a first stop after a visit to Senso-ji.
Mizuguchi Shokudo: Over One Hundred Dishes to Choose From
Founded in 1950, Mizuguchi Shokudo is an old-style neighborhood izakaya with more than one hundred dishes to choose from, each listed on placards covering the walls. The menu is varied and you can order by simply pointing at whatever catches your eye, so even travelers with little Japanese skill can eat here comfortably.
Mizuguchi Shokudo opens at 10 am, which makes it easy to stop in here for an early lunch after visiting Senso-ji. Alongside its signature dish, “Iributa” (pork stir-fried in a sweet-savory sauce), are items such as sashimi, set meals, and much more.
Details
| Address | 2-4-9 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Hours | 10:00 am–8:30 pm |
| Closed | Wednesdays |
| Official website | https://asakusa-mizuguch.main.jp/ |
| Best for | Anyone uneasy about Japanese-only menus, visitors looking for a drink in the daytime |
Asakusa Oden Otafuku: An Oden Specialist with a Centuries-Old Recipe
Asakusa Oden Otafuku is a well-known shop that serves oden in a broth based on a recipe that’s over one hundred years old. Beyond an entrance lined with lanterns and bamboo fencing lies the calm Japanese-style interior, allowing you to unwind in surroundings that feel unmistakably like old-town Asakusa.
Around forty different ingredients for oden are available. Since you can look into the pot and point to what you want, ordering isn’t hard even if the names are unfamiliar. Private rooms are also available if you’d like to enjoy a quieter meal away from the bustling main room. Expect to spend around ¥3,000 to ¥4,500 per person for a meal at Asakusa Oden Otafuku.
Details
| Address | 1-6-2 Senzoku, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Hours | 5:00 pm–11:00 pm (last order at 10:00 pm) |
| Closed | Sundays |
| Official website | https://otafuku.ne.jp/ |
| Best for | Couples and small groups looking for a traditional Japanese meal away from the hustle and bustle |
Asakusa Ichimon Honten: Edo-Era Hot Pot Negima Nabe Served in a Homely Atmosphere
Asakusa Ichimon Honten is a Japanese restaurant operating from a detached house. They serve negima nabe, a type of hot pot cuisine passed down through the ages all the way from the Edo period. Fatty tuna belly and green onion simmer in a soy-sauce-based broth, bringing out a side of the fish that’s quite different from sashimi.
The restaurant is open only in the evening and centers on hot pot meals, so reserving a table ahead of time is wise if you want to be sure of a spot. Expect to spend around ¥5,000 per person. Because their negima nabe is a multi-course meal, dining at Asakusa Ichimon Honten can take longer than the usual stops on a bar crawl.
Details
| Address | 3-12-6 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Hours | Mon–Fri: 6:00 pm–11:00 pm; Sat, Sun, holidays: 5:00 pm–10:00 pm |
| Closed | Irregular closures, New Year’s Holiday |
| Official website | https://asakusa-ichimon.com/ |
| Best for | Anyone interested in food culture from the Edo era, anyone planning a special evening |
Sake Sakana Zuburoku: Warmed Sake and Fish
Sake Sakana Zuburoku is a sake and fish specialty restaurant situated in a quiet corner of Kannon-ura. Junmai (pure-rice) sake is served either at room temperature or warmed before drinking, letting you taste how the flavor shifts with temperature.
The food here centers on fresh fish and house-made dried fish, and the owner can suggest specific fish pairings with the sake in mind. Seating is limited to eleven people at Sake Sakana Zuburoku, so be sure to arrive early if you want a table. Or better yet, make a reservation in advance.
Details
| Address | 3-34-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Hours | Tue–Fri: 5:00 pm–11:00 pm; Sat, Sun, holidays: 3:00 pm–11:00 pm |
| Closed | Mondays |
| Official website | https://www.instagram.com/zuv69/ |
| Best for | Sake lovers curious about warmed sake and fish pairings |
Four Recommended Izakaya Along Kaminarimon-dori
Four convenient izakaya sit just past Kaminarimon Gate, each within easy reach after a visit to Senso-ji. They include a standing-only grilled offal shop and a renovated old house with private rooms, so you’re bound to find a place that suits your group size and your plans for the evening.
Kamiya Bar: Japan’s First Bar and the Home of Denki Bran
Founded in 1880, Kamiya Bar is one of Asakusa’s landmark establishments. Its signature drink, “Denki Bran,” is a traditional cocktail made with brandy and blended with other spirits and herbs. It’s a drink found only in Asakusa.
The first floor of Kamiya Bar uses a meal-ticket system, which helps keep ordering simple and helps travelers with limited Japanese. Payment is cash only, so make sure to bring some money with you.
Details
| Address | Kamiya Building 1F, 1-1-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Hours | 11:00 am–8:00 pm (last order at 7:30 pm) |
| Closed | Tuesdays and two Mondays a month |
| Official website | http://www.kamiya-bar.com/ |
| Best for | Fans of Japan’s oldest cocktail, solo drinkers, travelers on short visits |
Asakusa Motsuyaki Nonki: A Standing Bar Known for Sauce-Grilled Shiro
Asakusa Motsuyaki Nonki is a standing-style motsuyaki (grilled pork offal skewers) izakaya just a one-minute walk from Asakusa Station. The house specialty, “Shiro-tare,” is made of pork intestine grilled in a secret sauce, and it’s known for being springy in texture and rich in flavor.
Many patrons pair their skewers with the “Nonki Ball:” shochu (a distilled Japanese spirit) topped with soda. Skewers start at just over ¥200 ($1.50 USD) each. Even on a tight budget, you can stand at the counter with a few skewers and a cold drink, just like the regulars.
The standing format makes Asakusa Motsuyaki Nonki comfortable to stop in on your own for a few skewers and a drink.
Details
| Address | Maruya Building 1F, 2-18-15 Kaminarimon, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Hours | Mon–Fri: 2:00 pm–10:30 pm; Sat, Sun, holidays: 12:00 pm–10:30 pm |
| Closed | Irregular closures |
| Official website | https://b953614.gorp.jp/ |
| Best for | Backpackers drinking on a budget, newcomers to grilled offal, solo drinkers |
Toritsubaki Kaminarimon Itchome: A Casual Tavern That Serves Grilled Chicken
The specialty at Toritsubaki Kaminarimon Itchome is toriyaki, chicken grilled on a hot iron plate rather than on skewers. This izakaya offers a way to eat chicken that’s different from the usual skewered yakitori.
When you order a beverage you can play Chinchirorin, a game where the dice decides what you’ll drink, and this tends to liven things up for a group. Toritsubaki Kaminarimon Itchome is open from 10 am, so it works as a destination for daytime meals as well as dinner.
Details
| Address | 1-16-12 Kaminarimon, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Hours | Mon, Tue, Sat: 10:00 am–10:00 pm; Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun: 10:00 am–11:00 pm (confirm current hours before visiting) |
| Closed | Irregular closures |
| Official website | https://www.facebook.com/people/%E5%A4%A7%E8%A1%86%E9%B3%A5%E9%85%92%E5%A0%B4-%E9%B3%A5%E6%A4%BF-%E9%9B%B7%E9%96%80%E4%B8%80%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE%E5%BA%97/100057494978050/ |
| Best for | Groups looking for a lively evening, visitors wanting a drink during the day |
Kaminarimon Kisuke: A Renovated House with Private Rooms
Kaminarimon Kisuke is a relaxed izakaya operating out of an old renovated house. Here you can compare skewers made with chicken from different regions of Japan, including chicken from Iwate Prefecture and Chiran chicken.
Private rooms accommodate six to thirty-five people and allow you to dine without worrying about the people around you, so they’re a great option for families and groups. Note that groups of six or more need to book a meal course in advance in order to use the private rooms.
Details
| Address | 2-3-12 Kaminarimon, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Hours | Weekdays: 11:30 am–2:30 pm and 4:00 pm–11:00 pm; Sat, Sun, holidays: 11:30 am–11:00 pm |
| Closed | Irregular closures |
| Official website | https://浅草和食雷門き介.com/ |
| Best for | Families, groups of six or more, business entertaining |
English-Guided Tours for First-Timers to Izakaya
The language barrier and uncertainty about how to order keep some visitors from going out for the evening. However, on a food tour, an English-speaking guide chooses the venues and settles the bill for you, doing away with the need for you to know Japanese.
Tokyo: Asakusa Food Tour – 12 Dishes & 3 Drinks
On this tour—run by Japan Guide Stars—an English-speaking guide takes you around Asakusa’s izakaya and sake bars. The tour price covers twelve dishes and three drinks, and the guide handles ordering and payment, making it easy to join in even if communicating in Japanese isn’t your strong point.
The two-and-a-half-hour route includes a walk through Hoppy Street, complete with English commentary on the background of sake and cuisine. Furthermore, the route is set in advance, so you won’t waste any time on finding shops or working out how to order your meal.
Details
| Meeting point | In front of the Kaminarimon police box, 1-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo |
| Duration | About 2 hours and 30 minutes |
| Included in the price | 12 dishes, 3 drinks, English-speaking guide |
| Booking | https://japanguidestar.com/tour/tokyo-asakusa-food-tour-12-dishes-3-drinks/ |
| Best for | First-time visitors who want izakaya culture explained in English, anyone who would rather not spend time picking shops |
Tokyo: Asakusa Guided Food Tour with 12 Dishes & 3 Drinks
Common Questions About Izakaya in Asakusa
The information compiled below covers common questions about reservations, payment methods, and other details that come up when choosing an izakaya in the Asakusa area.
Can I Get a Table Without a Reservation?
Most places welcome walk-ins on Hoppy Street and at the larger izakaya near the station. If you avoid the busy 6 pm to 8 pm rush on weekends, you should have no trouble finding a seat. Keep in mind that Kannon-ura’s smaller venues fill up quickly with regulars, so reserve a spot ahead of time. If you want to keep your options open, head to Hoppy Street and look for an izakaya with space for you to sit.
Are There Places That Take Only Cash?
On Hoppy Street and at the small izakaya in the back alleys, a lot of places still accept cash only. For a bar crawl, budget for up to three stops (including otoshi charges), and carry around ¥10,000 per person in cash.
Chain shops near the station increasingly accept credit cards. If you run short on cash, use the convenience store ATMs around Asakusa Station.
Are There Izakaya That Are Easy to Visit Alone?
Solo travelers do well at standing bars and spots with meal-ticket systems. Kamiya Bar’s ticket system removes the language concern, and Asakusa Motsuyaki Nonki is a standing bar that’s ideal for a quick drink. If food is your priority, Mizuguchi Shokudo is a good option because you can point at one dish at a time from the counter.
Should I Choose Hoppy Street or Kannon-ura?
Choose Hoppy Street for a lively atmosphere, or Kannon-ura for the quality of the food and drink. Hoppy Street is lined with outdoor seating, and a casual bar crawl works well here without needing reservations. Kannon-ura offers a calmer setting, but its izakaya are small, so it’s worth booking ahead.
| Hoppy Street | Kannon-ura | |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Lively, with outdoor seating | Calm, in the back alleys |
| Reservations | Not needed | Recommended |
| Best for | A casual bar crawl | Anyone focused on food and drink quality |
If your schedule allows, we recommend visiting both areas.
Can I Enjoy an Izakaya Without Drinking Alcohol?
More and more shops now stock soft drinks, so an izakaya is an option for non-drinkers. Hoppy, the local specialty, contains only about 0.8% alcohol, but for anyone avoiding alcohol entirely it’s possible to order oolong tea instead.
In Japan, the legal drinking age is twenty. Staff may ask you to show proof of age, so carrying your passport is always a good idea.
Choosing Your Izakaya for an Evening in Asakusa
Asakusa’s izakaya include the lively stalls of Hoppy Street and quiet specialty restaurants in the back alleys, and the atmosphere and the way you spend the evening will shift depending on the area you choose to dine in. When picking a spot, check the budget, the availability of foreign-language support, and opening hours, then choose the one that matches what you came for.
Weekends tend to be busy, so arrive early or reserve a table in advance where reservations are possible. Traces of old Japan still show in the back-alley shops of Kannon-ura and along Hoppy Street, making Asakusa a truly unique place to enjoy a drink.
