When we first moved to Japan, we fell head over heels for Torikizoku. They’re ubiquitous, reliably delicious, and remarkably easy on the wallet. Whether it’s a bunch of young salarymen at the end of a day or groups of girls on a night out, that signature “Tori” buzz is consistent from the neon heart of Tokyo to the far reaches of Hiroshima.
However, after a few rounds of jumbo yakitori, it clicked: if the Japanese izakaya scene were an RPG, Torikizoku would clearly be Level 1. It’s a solid “good shout” and a nostalgic favourite, but it left us wondering… what happens when you press ‘Start’ on the rest of the game?
So, we ended up doing exactly that. We scoured Google Maps and ducked into side-street nooks, uncovering everything from polished regional chains to “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” local spots. Our persistence (and our livers) eventually yielded a definitive shortlist of chains we found ourselves returning to again and again. Go forth, explore, and please… have a lemon sour for us!
1. 0 Second Lemon Sour (Tokiwatei)
If you’ve ever sat in a bar and thought, “The only thing standing between me and happiness is the 45 seconds it takes the server to walk here,” then welcome to your new favourite place in the world. Every table is equipped with its own personal lemon sour tap. It is both the most efficient and the most dangerous invention in modern history. The vibe is high-octane chaos, usually filled with people testing the limits of their “all-you-can-drink” 60-minute timer. Pair the endless citrus stream with their gorgeous cuts of meat and sides, and you’ve got a DIY party that is as budget-friendly as it is blurry.
2. Dengushi Shinjidai
Shinjidai is the place you go when you want to feel like a culinary architect. Their claim to fame is the Dengushi – a sweet, salty, and impossibly crispy chicken skin skewer that people stack into pyramids. At roughly 50 yen a pop, it’s basically cheaper than air. The interior is peak “salaryman chic”: bright lights, cramped stools, and a roar of conversation that makes you feel like you’re at the heart of the Japanese economy. It’s salty, it’s greasy, and the Mega Highballs are large enough to be used as a blunt weapon. It’s also worryingly affordable… but I’m not sure that’s a downside.
3. Yakitori Mizutaki Torichiizu
If Torikizoku is Level 1, Toriichizu is the secret boss you actually want to hang out with. This is arguably the final form of the chicken izakaya. They specialise in Mizutaki (chicken collagen hot pot) that is so rich you’ll feel your skin glowing the next day, but their yakitori is the real MVP for me. The chips/skewers/chicken/wings are seasoned to perfection, and their Premium beer prices are often cheaper than bottled water. It’s lively, modern, and strikes that perfect balance between “I’m saving money” and “I’m eating like a king.” If you only pick one spot to betray Torikizoku for, make it this one – I think it’s my personal favourite.
4. Yakiton Chikuzenya
This place gave such an old, authentic feel that we thought it was a local hang… until we saw another one in a different part of Tokyo. To be fair, that’s not the worst thing for a tourist. It feels old-school, is filled with locals AND there’s a standardised experience across every chain with English iPad menus? Perfect. To top it off, the food is pretty damn yummy too, but I’ll let the pictures do the talking.
5. Okinawa Bar Haisai
If you’ve hit a wall with standard yakitori and need a culinary palate cleanser, Haisai is like a tropical fever dream in the middle of a concrete jungle. It is a dedicated Okinawan izakaya, and the name itself is actually the local dialect for “hello.” The vibe is significantly more laid-back than your average salaryman spot – think bright colours and island music instead of suits and silence. You have to order a bit of everything and wash it all down with a glass of Awamori — Okinawan moonshine — but be warned: it’s famously strong. One minute you’re enjoying the island vibes, the next you’re convinced you’ve actually moved to Naha.
6. Izakaya Revolution Yotteba
Yotteba is the place for people who think “moderation” is a dirty word. They are famous for their Tebasaki (chicken wings), which are peppered to within an inch of their lives and dangerously addictive. The decor is usually a chaotic mashup of retro posters and neon, giving it a “blade runner meets a backyard BBQ” feel. It’s one of those spots where you go for “one quick drink” and end up ordering three rounds of wings and a Mega Highball because the energy is just that infectious. It’s fun, loud, and the ultimate spot for a rowdy night out with a group.
7. Uotami
Uotami is the “Old Reliable” of the Japanese nightlife scene. While other spots go for gimmicks, Uotami focuses on the private booth experience. If you’re tired of rubbing elbows with a stranger, this is where you retreat. The menu is a literal encyclopedia of every izakaya dish ever conceived – sashimi, pizza, fried chicken, gyoza – it’s all there. It’s the perfect “mid-game” spot when you have a large group and need a place that satisfies the person who wants raw fish and the person who just wants a bowl of chips.
8. Kinchanchi
Kinchanchi is peak “Showa-era” nostalgia – it’s intentionally designed to look like a neighbourhood pub from the 1960s, complete with vintage signage and a menu that feels like it hasn’t seen inflation in forty years. The specialty here is the Motsu Nikomi (tripe stew) and incredibly cheap skewers. It’s cramped, it’s smoky, and it’s absolutely brilliant. It’s the kind of place where you’ll find yourself shouting over the sizzle of the grill to be heard, feeling like a local regular even if it’s your first time stepping through the door.
Honourable mentions we didn’t get photos at but are also AMAZING: Yoronotaki, Shoya, Uoshin, Isomaru Suisan, Nishonshu Torimaru.
Hungry for More?
Now that you’ve officially graduated from the yellow glow of Torikizoku, why stop there? If you’re looking to level up your noodle game and stop queuing for three hours just to sit in a wooden cubicle, check out my guide to the 29 ramens you should be eating instead of Ichiran. It’s a deep dive into the bowls that actually deserve your time (and your stomach real estate).
A Final Note
Who, What, & Why
If you’ve made it this far in the blog post, I might as well introduce myself! After almost a decade in corporate tech, I quit the “grind” to redesign my life around the things that actually matter to me: creative pursuits, intentional slow travel, and being generally useful.
These days, I split my time pretty evenly: half the year in London, the other half as a digital nomad, hopping between apartments from Tokyo to Bangkok. When I’m not hanging out with my husband, gaming, or catching up on my fave shows, my days are fuelled by a genuine love of creating and a slight obsession with documenting life – so you’ll usually find me writing, taking photos, or making videos.
Whether I’m systematically ranking thirty different ramen shops or testing if a laser treatment really delivers ‘glass skin,’ my goal is the same: to channel that passion into sharing my experiences so you can better plan yours.
The Essentials
I use the tools below to stay functional while on the move. If you use them via these links, I get a small affiliate commission that keeps this blog running (and my caffeine levels stable).
- Connectivity: I use Nomad eSIM for seamless, high-speed data. It’s easy, reliable, and significantly less stressful than hunting for local SIM cards in a language I don’t speak.
- Privacy: I never touch public Wi-Fi without NordVPN. It keeps my business data secure and ensures my Netflix region stays exactly where I want it.
Explore the Archives
If you’ve enjoyed reading this blog post, there’s plenty more where that came from! Have a wander through the sections below:
- Food: I’m a firm believer that you get the best feel for a city through its food and drinks. Check out my archives for deep dives on food all over the world and, if you’re going to Japan, start with my pride and joy: 29 Ramens Better Than Ichiran.
- Travel & Nomadic Life: Whether you’re planning a one-week holiday or a total life pivot into digital nomadism, I’ve likely written a guide for it. Dive into the archives for my unfiltered take on what to see, eat, drink, and — perhaps most importantly — skip. You can start with the Seoul edit if you like!
- Health & Beauty: Beyond trying to be a functioning human, I do deep dives on health (PCOS, Visual Snow) and the reality of beauty (make-up, skincare & treatments). You’ll find my honest results on everything from non-invasive laser treatments to long-term wellness.
If you end up trying any of my recommendations, let me know in the comments section or reach out – I’d love to hear what you thought.
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