15 Izakaya to Visit in Tenjin, Fukuoka Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 05 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Check out these great izakayas (Japanese pubs) in the highly accessible Tenjin, Fukuoka. There are quite a few unique ones, as well as places that are known for serving specialties like nerimono (fish cakes). You'll definitely find something that suits your taste!

See full listings of Izakaya restaurants found in and around Fukuoka.

1. Warau Sakana

First on the list is Warau Sakana - an izakaya that's very particular about using Fukuoka ingredients to create dishes that bring out the best in each ingredient. Their fresh seafood is caught every morning from the Genkai Sea (Genkai-nada), along with their vegetables, which are procured from all over Kyushu. To fully savor their flavors, order the [7-Kind Fresh Fish Sashimi Assortment (from 850 JPY)] or the [Japanese-style Bagna Càuda (880 JPY)] (Italian dish of vegetables with dip). You’ll be able to see the charcoal grill used for robatayaki from their counter seats, so it’s a feast for both the eyes and stomach.

Warau Sakana

Open: 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Food L.O. 1:00 am, Drink L.O. 1:30 am)
Closed: None
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 102, Viento 336, 1-12-26, Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka

2. Izakaya Furiko

Izakaya Furiko has been around for 47 years. You’ll hear jazz music playing in this retro place. They have many local customers, including some who travel from outside the prefecture just to dine here. Treat yourself to excellent Hakata cuisine when you come to visit. Their [Motsu-nabe (980 JPY plus tax for 1 person)], made with fresh and high-quality Japanese beef, is so authentic that some people mistake Izakaya Furiko for a motsu-nabe (hot pot with offal) specialty restaurant. They also offer a wide variety of course meals. Their standard [Omakase Plan] includes 2 hours of all-you-can-drink, along with 7 courses, for 3,000 JPY.

Izakaya Furiko

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:15 am)
[Sunday, National Holidays] 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:15 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 2,762 JPY
Address: 1F, No. 19 Line Bldg., 1-8-38, Maizuru, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka ()

3. Motsunabe Yamadaya

Motsunabe Yamadaya is a chic and modern motsu-nabe restaurant. They only use the best quality of Japanese Wagyu (a type of high-quality beef), which has an addicting texture and smooth flavor. There are 3 different soup bases - shoyu (soy sauce), miso, and shabu. Regardless of which base you choose, the dish will cost you 1,350 JPY. Offal is also used in some of their other dishes, such as the [Ganso Motsu Gyoza (600 JPY)] - a dish that they’ve been famous for since they first opened. Their [Vinegared Motsu] (550 JPY) and [Motsu Teppan (800 JPY)] (offal cooked on a hot plate) are also definitely worth trying.

Motsunabe Yamadaya

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
[Sunday, National Holidays] 5:30 pm - 11:30 pm
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 2,800 JPY
Address: 1-2-5, Nagahama, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka

4. Hakata Kushi Teppan Ten-Ichi

Enjoy a wide variety of skewers cooked on a hot plate at this modern Japanese izakaya! Pass through their large red curtains and find yourself a seat to soak in its atmosphere. The skewers are carefully cooked one by one and are made from in-season ingredients, healthy vegetables, and beef from specialty Wagyu stores in Kyoto. There are a total of 36 different skewers that you can choose from. They have a selection of sake (Japanese alcohol) that go well with their food, as well as around 30 kinds of junmai-shu (pure rice sake). They also have Italian and Spanish wines that pair well with their teppanyaki (ingredients grilled on an iron griddle) dishes, which are cooked in olive oil.

Hakata Kushi Teppan Ten-Ichi

Open: 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 4,000 JPY
Address: 1-3-30, Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka (Map)
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5. Hakata Nerimonya Tsukune Standard

This izakaya reopened in June 2017. Their tsukune (meatballs) are made by mixing together great ingredients like ji-dori (local chicken) from Kyushu and eggs from Itoshima, and then shaping them by hand. There are as many as 25 different flavors to choose from! They also serve [Ice Lemon Highball (650 JPY)], which is a drink that matches well with its fashionably furnished interior, lit up by beautiful pendant lights. Frozen lemon pieces take the place of ice cubes in this drink. Refills cost only 250 JPY each, so while it’s great value for money, do be careful not to overdrink!

Hakata Nerimonya Tsukune Standard

Open: [Weekdays, Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] 6:00 pm - 3:00 am (Food L.O. 2:00 am, Drinks L.O. 2:30 am)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 1F, Yukutake Bldg., 2-1-42, Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka

6. Daimyo Yabure Kabure Nishi Nakasu Branch

Daimyo Yabure Kabure Nishi Nakasu Branch sources their fresh fish from Yobuko Fishing Port every day. You will normally find 30 - 40 squid and 20 - 30 fish swimming around in their fish tank. Savor the freshness of their seafood by ordering their sashimi dishes. The [Yari-ika Iki-zukuri] (spear squid sashimi) is particularly popular due to its affordable 1,000 JPY price tag. Their sturdy wooden counter seats are also popular, as they circle the food preparation area. Find a seat at the counter, and you might even get to strike up a conversation with a fellow diner!

Daimyo Yabure Kabure Nishi Nakasu Branch

Open: 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: 4,000 JPY
Address: 2-5, Nishi Nakasu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka

7. +81 COCOCINA Akasaka Branch

This is an Italian bar that oozes with style anywhere you look - from the bare concrete floor to the wooden interior. They feature dishes that are based on Italian cuisine, but with a Japanese twist. They mainly use locally-grown produce and seafood caught in nearby waters. All their pasta dishes are made using fresh pasta, which has an irresistibly chewy texture. Their [Taiyo no Carbonara (1,200 JPY)], in particular, features a thick sauce that’s incredibly popular with patrons. Order some domestic wine or whiskey to go with your meal.

+81 COCOCINA Akasaka Branch

Open: [Weekdays, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 11:00 pm)
[Saturday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Address: 1F, 1-15-1, Akasaka, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka

8. Taishu Wine Sakaba QuichexQuiche

The warm wood tones of their decor help create a nice atmosphere at Taishu Wine Sakaba QuichexQuiche. With around 50 types of red, white, and sparkling wines in stock, you can have your pick of their reasonably priced drinks, which have all been carefully sampled and selected by the owner. QuichexQuiche’s most famous dish is their quiche, made with fresh eggs from Itoshima. Their popular [Caponata Tomato Quiche] stands out from other quiches, as over 10 different vegetables are used to make it.

Taishu Wine Sakaba QuichexQuiche

Open: 4:00 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:30 pm)
*Happy Hour is from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm (glass wine, draft beer, and other drinks are available for 300 JPY plus tax)
Closed: None
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 1F, OAS Yakuin Bldg., 2-2-33, Yakuin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka (Map)
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9. Nikusai Sumibiya Myabi

Nikusai Sumibiya Miyabi is a restaurant that does things slightly differently. Information about the meat - how lean it is, the tenderness, and the fat content, for example - are listed out in their menu. Diners can then select what they want from the wooden boxes in which their meats are displayed. They have high-quality meat like A5-ranked Kuroge Wagyu (a type of high-quality beef) and Aka beef, and they even pay attention to where their vegetables are grown, so you’ll definitely find something that suits your taste here. There’s a U-shaped counter set up with seats around it, so you can watch in anticipation as your meal is prepared in the center.

Nikusai Sumibiya Myabi

Open: 3:00 pm - 1:00 am (Food L.O. 12:00 am, Drinks L.O. 12:30 am)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 4,000 JPY
Address: 1F, 2-1-42, Daimyo, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka

10. Hinata

Tucked away in an alley, Hinata is a chic and modern Japanese izakaya. Their staff is known for their attentive service, and the fact that the izakaya stays open till 5:00 am is an added bonus. Only Japanese produce is used here, including fresh fish caught nearby and sold at Nagahama Fish Market. Some dishes that make great use of these ingredients include the [Potato Salad (380 JPY)], which uses almost equal amounts of potatoes and eggs, and the wonderfully chewy [Godoufu no Agedashi (580 JPY)] (fried tofu in dashi (broth)). The prices here are very affordable, making it a perfect place to visit!

Hinata

Open: 6:00 pm - 5:00 am (Food L.O. 4:00 am, Drinks L.O. 5:00 am)
Closed: None
Average price: 3,000 JPY
Address: 1F, Prosperita Imaizumi II, 2-3-31, Imaizumi , Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka ()

11. CHEESE SQUARE Fukuoka Tenjin Branch

11. Premium Dining Sorut Fukuoka Tenjin Branch

Premium Dining Sorut Fukuoka Tenjin Branch is a 1-minute walk from Tenjin Station, located right in the middle of Southern Street (Southern-dori). This designer izakaya has semi-private dining areas, which available for 2 people or more. Their course meals include a 2-hour all-you-can-drink option that starts from 1,980 JPY. Their standard [Meat Bar Course] comes with 8 carefully selected meat dishes, as well as unlimited refills of drinks for 2,980 JPY. The price changes to 3,480 JPY on Friday, Saturday, and any day before a national holiday.

CHEESE SQUARE Fukuoka Tenjin Branch

Open: [Monday - Thursday] 4:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
[Friday, Day before National Holidays] 4:00 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:00 am)
[Saturday] 4:00 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:00 am)
[Sunday, National Holidays] 4:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
Closed: None
Average price: 3,500 JPY
Address: 8F, DADA Bldg., 2-7-6, Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka

12. Tora-san

Tora-san is an izakaya with an unusual name that takes pride in their fresh ingredients. Fresh fish from the waters surrounding Kyushu, branded meats, and other seasonal ingredients are used in their dishes. Famous brands of sake are also available here. The owner even studied at a fishmonger to learn how to pick the freshest fish! Their carefully selected fish can be enjoyed in dishes like the [Sashimi no Moriawase (2,400 JPY for 2 people)] and [Sakana no Chanchan-yaki (from 1,000 JPY)] (fried fish and vegetables). They have over 20 types of ji-zake (local sake) from Kyushu to choose from, which have been highly rated in recent years. Their unfinished wood furnishings and interior are beautiful and homely, making it a nice environment to enjoy some good food and tasty alcohol in.

Tora-san

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY
Address: 1-23-12, Takasago, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka (Map)
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13. Hakata Tombo Haruyoshi Branch

This is a good place to visit when you want to enjoy fresh seafood and a wide variety of alcoholic drinks. There’s a fish tank within the izakaya that contains seafood like spear squid caught from the Chikuzen Sea (Chikuzen-kai) and herb mackerel (mackerel fed with herbs) reared in Matsuura, Nagasaki Prefecture, meaning that you can be assured of the freshness. Dishes that feature these ingredients are popular. They use other great ingredients from Kyushu, like Imari beef, Arita chicken, and Miyazaki Jidokko chicken. Furthermore, they have around 30 types of sake and 20 types of shochu (another type of Japanese alcohol)! Sit back and savor their dishes in their white, wooden interior.

Hakata Tombo Haruyoshi Branch

Open: 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:00 am)
Closed: None
Average price: 4,500 JPY
Address: 1F, JOJO Bldg., 3-12-26, Haruyoshi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka (Map)

14. Suzaki-machi Shoku Shin Shungiku

This clean izakaya with unfinished wood furnishings serves a menu that uses seasonal ingredients from all over the country to present the flavors of Kyushu. Their seasonings, such as natural salt from Okinawa, shoyu, and miso made from additive-free domestic soybeans, are all carefully selected. The owner used to manage a small eatery in Nakasu. They adjust the seasonings in each dish, depending on what dishes you've had before and what you'll be having after, as well as on your drinks. Their attentive service makes this a perfect place for people to relax over some food and drinks.

Suzaki-machi Shoku Shin Shungiku

Open: Lunch 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, Dinner 5:30 pm - 2:00 am
Closed: Tuesday
Address: 1F, Bright Heights, 4-19, Susaki-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka (Map)
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15. Yakitori Burabura

Fukuoka Prefecture is known for having the largest number of yakitori restaurants around. Hakata, in particular, is packed full with yakitori restaurants, making its yakitori scene incredibly competitive. Yakitori Burabura is another yakitori place in Hakata. It’s popular for its unpretentious service and high-quality, affordable food. They procure their ingredients from trustworthy local producers, mainly using local chicken slaughtered that morning and locally-grown vegetables that are harvested that day. Each skewer is small, so you can try a little of everything from the menu. Be sure to try their [Shiro Liver] (100 JPY), which is highly recommended by the owner for its lack of strong smell and foie gras-like texture.

Yakitori Burabura

Open: 6:00 pm - 4:00 am (L.O. 3:00 am)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: 2,800 JPY
Address: 1F, Haruyoshi Tofuku Bldg., 3-21-28, Haruyoshi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka (Map)
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As expected of Kyushu's biggest shopping area, Tenjin is packed with many amazing restaurants that serve a variety of cuisine, from Japanese to Italian. Next time you visit, spend your nights eating and drinking while you head from place to place!

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.