Shun Sato, the head chef at Soho izakaya Fukuro, shares his favourite spots for drinking and dining in the Japanese capital

1. Uoshin

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Above Grilled fish spines at Uoshin (Photo: Joe Mabel)

“Located in Akasaka, this is a rowdy place where people yell each other. The owner is a fish supplier and they have a great standing bar for sushi, then you sit down and try the cooked dishes. They also have an automatic beer pouring machine, a hard to resist novelty.”

9-6-32 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, +81-3-3405-0411, uoshins.com

2. Kan

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Above Simmered fish dishes are a highlight at Kan (Photo: Janice Leung Hayes)

“Kan is a refined, modern izakaya that stays true to the spirit of an izakaya while offering a more polished experience in an almost industrial setting. In that way it is probably the most similar to Fukuro.” 

2-1-1 Higashiyama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, +81-3-3792-5282

3. Narukiyo

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Above Flawless tempura at Narukiyo (Photo: Janice Leung Hayes)

“The giant tree in Narukiyo is a curious but eye-catching feature. The seasonal omakase menu is beautifully written in ink on scroll and they do everything here to perfection and serve it with a lot of sake.”

2-7-14 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, +81-3-5485-2223

4. Kaikaya by the Sea

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Above Fresh seafood in abundance at Kaikaya, whose owners adore the ocean (Photo: Janice Leung Hayes)

“This is a western-influenced izakaya popular with both tourists and locals. The owners love the sea, which is reflected in the surfboards on the walls and the laidback attitude. The food is served by the kitchen staff so you get service with expert knowledge.”

 23-7 Maruyamacho, Shibuya, Tokyo Prefecture +81 3-3770-0878, www.kaikaya.com

5. Kokera

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Above Located in trendy Shimokitazawa in western Tokyo, Kokera draws in the crowds with its seafood dishes (Photo: @shibumi on Instagram)

“Tucked in a homey neighbourhood of Tokyo, Kokera’s strength is in its selection of seafood. The menu changes daily with the fresh produce that comes in.”

2-3-12 Kitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, +81-3-3413-3231

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