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Izakaya (Japanese Tavern) - Tokyo Hotels .com

Sake at a Japanese Tavern

Like any big city, Tokyo has plenty of fancy bars and upscale eateries. But ask any local or well-versed traveler, and they'll tell you to check out an izakaya, Japan's version of a pub, where you can get plenty to drink, delicious food, a casual atmosphere, and reasonable prices -- and they can be found in almost any district.

In Japan, you eat while you drink, so each izakaya offers its own unique menu that can vary from traditional Japanese dishes to a multicultural collection of favorite pub treats. The izakaya Buri near the Akasaka-Roppongi Station offers around 30 different varieties of sake and small dishes of Japanese fare so you can try a little of everything. In the Shinjuku-Shibuya region, Himonoya offers grilled fish, sake, and late hours, Okinawa features some unusual tropical drinks, and the stand-up-style bar Buchi has a large menu, top-notch sake, and seating downstairs if you get tired.

In the Ginza district, you can enjoy grilled dishes and secluded bamboo nooks at Tsuki no Shizuku; a serious sake scene and a ceiling charmingly covered with sake labels at Kohju; or a beautiful atmosphere and wines of the western world at the Tsuki Aqua Lounge. When you're on the hunt for late-night food and a good deal, don't be fooled by the so-called snack bars, which are actually fairly high-priced drinking establishments catering to the after-hours business set.

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