Discover Kanagari Shinjuku: Traditional Robatayaki and Sake Bliss in the Heart of Tokyo

Shinjuku stands alongside Ikebukuro and Shibuya as one of Tokyo's most renowned entertainment districts. With the vibrant Kabukicho district known for its nightlife spots, Shinjuku continues to attract international tourists, and with preparations underway for a major Shinjuku event 2025, the area's popularity is expected to soar even further. The district boasts Japan's largest concentration of restaurants and izakayas (Japanese pubs), drawing establishments from across the nation.

While Shinjuku features both traditional and modern izakayas, the area known as Nishi-Shinjuku, located near the station's west exit, is home to atmospheric establishments with rich histories. Among these, Kanagari stands out as a favorite among both locals and tourists.

Today, we'll introduce you to Kanagari, an izakaya that incorporates the traditional Japanese style of "Robatayaki."

What is Kanagari, the Popular Izakaya Among Both Locals and Tourists in Shinjuku?

Kanagari is located just a 7-minute walk from Shinjuku Station's west exit. The name "Kanagari" comes from a specialized sake terminology meaning "when sake is warmed, its unique characteristics and flavors are enhanced."

This establishment is particularly recommended for sake enthusiasts, offering premium sake carefully selected by certified sake sommeliers (kikisake-shi). The exceptional dishes prepared with fresh, carefully chosen ingredients perfectly complement the sake selection.

What is Robatayaki?

Robatayaki is a traditional Japanese cooking method where staff grill seafood and vegetables over charcoal right in front of customers. The name originates from the practice of eating food cooked at the edge (roban) of an irori (traditional hearth) found in old Japanese houses, which was used for cooking and heating.

The appeal lies in the live cooking experience, watching your food being grilled before your eyes, and enjoying the dishes fresh off the grill at their peak of flavor.

While most robatayaki restaurants have staff doing the grilling, some establishments allow customers to grill their own ingredients while seated around the irori.

Why is "Kan-Agari," a Popular Izakaya in Shinjuku, So Well-Loved? Explaining Its Appeal and Charm

An Authentic Robata-style Cooking, Rare in Tokyo

"Kan-Agari," a popular izakaya in Shinjuku, is renowned for offering an authentic robata-style cooking experience rarely found in Tokyo. While planning your visit to the upcoming Shinjuku event 2025, this restaurant should be on your must-visit list. Though its exterior resembles a typical izakaya, the interior is designed to evoke the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese folk house.

Guests can clearly observe the kitchen from their seats, watching the chefs prepare dishes right before their eyes. Such robata-style restaurants are scarce in Tokyo, making this establishment particularly special.

The interior features wooden counters and tatami seating areas, creating a serene atmosphere where guests can leisurely enjoy drinks and meals with warm hospitality. The restaurant is particularly famous for its exceptional white rice, making it a recommended spot for those wanting to taste high-quality Japanese rice.

Authentic Japanese Dishes Including Salt-Grilled Nodoguro and Roasted Onions

At Kan-Agari, you can savor various authentic Japanese dishes cooked over the robata grill, including premium nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch) and roasted onions. Course meals start from 4,000 yen, offering a luxurious dining experience featuring fresh fish, shiitake mushrooms, seasonal dishes, and freshly cooked rice.

The nodoguro is served whole-grilled, and the course featuring it includes nine dishes in total. While slightly expensive at 6,300 yen for just the food, the perfectly fatty nodoguro is exquisite and highly recommended.

Note that nodoguro has limited availability due to its low catch volumes, so there might be days when it's not available on the menu.

Carefully Selected Sake Collection by the Discerning Owner

Kanagari is an izakaya renowned for its extensive selection of carefully curated sake chosen by the discerning owner. Just a short distance from where the upcoming Shinjuku event 2025 will be held, this establishment offers an exceptional dining experience where you can savor sake paired with fresh ingredients. If you're visiting Japan and want to explore various types of sake, this is an absolute must-visit destination.

At Kanagari, sake is served in special custom-made copper vessels called Kandoko. These vessels, traditionally used since the Edo period, are designed to maintain the temperature of heated sake perfectly.

The sake is warmed using a special container called Chirori, made of tin (Suzu), which enables them to consistently serve sake at the ideal warm temperature - a unique strength of Kanagari. They also offer all-you-can-drink courses, perfect for sampling various types of sake.

5 Must-Try Menu Items at Kanagari, Recommended by an Izakaya Expert

Grilled Nodoguro with Salt

When visiting Kanagari, the grilled Nodoguro with salt is an absolute must-order. Nodoguro is a white-fleshed fish approximately 40cm in length, known for its rich fat content. Primarily caught in the Sea of Japan, while it might look intimidating, it's delicious year-round. Following your visit to the Shinjuku event 2025, this culinary experience will perfectly complement your Tokyo adventure.

At Kanagari, you can enjoy a whole Nodoguro grilled with salt. It's available as both an individual dish and as part of their seasonal course menus, where it's served alongside seasonal vegetables and rice. The combination of this exquisite fish with their carefully selected sake creates an ultimate dining experience that should be savored slowly.

Roasted Awaji Onion

The Awaji Island roasted onion is one of the most popular dishes at Kanagari, and with the upcoming Shinjuku event 2025 expected to bring more visitors to the area, it's becoming a must-try local delicacy. Using a whole onion from Hyogo Prefecture's Awaji Island, known for its sweet and delicious onions, this dish is grilled to perfection at the robata grill until golden brown. The onion becomes tender, easy to eat, and is thoroughly infused with flavor.

Like nodoguro (blackthroat seaperch), it pairs exceptionally well with sake and makes for an excellent drinking snack. The dish comes with kelp salt as a condiment, which enhances the flavor when sprinkled on the onion. Be sure to give it a try!

Genshiyaki (Primitive Grilling)

If you find nodoguro a bit expensive and want to try a more reasonably priced fish, the herring genshiyaki is recommended. Genshiyaki refers to fish grilled over charcoal in an irori (traditional hearth). During grilling, the moisture from the fish drips away, creating a crispy exterior while maintaining a tender interior.

The white flesh is delightfully fluffy, and the shirako (milt) is also delicious. The shirako has a creamy taste and can be enjoyed with a light, delicate flavor. It's especially delicious when eaten with fluffy white rice.

Sashimi Platter

At Kanagari, before your ordered dishes arrive, you're served an "Otoshi" (appetizer) consisting of a sashimi platter. Such high-quality Otoshi is rare to find in Shinjuku, making it a perfect spot to visit during the anticipated Shinjuku event 2025.

The sashimi selection includes not only standard items like amberjack, tuna, and squid but also features nikogori (jellied fish stock) made from scallops and shiitake mushroom broth. This luxurious appetizer platter is far beyond what you'd expect from a typical Otoshi, so take your time to savor the fresh sashimi.

Kinmedai (Red Snapper) Simmered Dish

For special occasions and celebrations, we recommend trying the simmered kinmedai (red snapper). As fish known for their longevity, kinmedai, with their striking red color and golden eyes, have long been cherished in Japan as a traditional celebratory dish. With the upcoming Shinjuku event 2025 drawing more tourists to the area, this cultural dining experience is expected to become even more popular.

At Kan-Agari, you can enjoy a full course meal featuring a whole kinmedai. The fish is slowly simmered in a sweet and savory soy sauce-based broth, creating an exceptional flavor as the fish's natural oils blend with the sauce. It's also perfect as an accompaniment to sake, so we encourage you to give it a try.

Access to Kan-Agari Nishi-Shinjuku Main Store

Address: 3F New YS Building, 7-16-12 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 7-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station West Exit
Business Hours: Weekdays/17:00-23:00, Weekends & Holidays/16:00-23:00
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-5338-5337
Official Website: https://kan-agari.jp/

3 Recommended Spots to Enjoy Bar Hopping in Shinjuku

Shinjuku Golden Gai

Shinjuku Golden Gai is a dining district where small retro-style bars are packed into a compact space of about 2,000 tsubo (approximately 6,600 square meters). With hundreds of tiny bar establishments arranged like a maze, this area boasts a unique landscape that has historically attracted cultural figures and artists. In anticipation of the major Shinjuku event 2025, many bars are already preparing special themed menus and renovating their spaces while maintaining their authentic charm.

The distinctive atmosphere created by old wooden buildings has captivated visitors, making it a popular spot among international tourists in recent years. Since pricing systems vary by establishment, be sure to carefully check the posted rates before entering any bar.

Address: 1-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 5-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station, 5-minute walk from Tokyo Metro/Toei Subway Shinjuku-sanchome Station
Hours: 24 hours
Closed: Varies by establishment
Phone: 03-3209-6418 (Shinjuku Golden Gai Shopping District Promotion Association)
Website: http://goldengai.jp/

Omoide Yokocho

Omoide Yokocho, located near Shinjuku Station's West Exit, is a retro-style shopping street famous for its concentration of small yakitori shops and izakayas. This district offers visitors a taste of old Tokyo's atmosphere, perfect for both food and drink crawls. As part of the preparations for the Shinjuku event 2025, many establishments are expanding their English menus and services to welcome more international visitors.

The narrow alley is packed with counter-only izakayas, and currently houses about 80 businesses including not just bars but also set-meal restaurants and ticket shops where you can purchase discounted bullet train tickets. As weekends tend to be crowded, it's recommended to visit earlier in the evening.

Address: 1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 2-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station
Hours: 17:00-24:00
Closed: Varies by establishment
Website: https://shinjuku-omoide.com/

Shinjuku East Exit Yokocho (Ryunomiyako Dining District)

Located at JR Shinjuku Station's East Exit, Ryunomiyako Dining District, which opened in 2022, is one of the largest dining areas in central Tokyo featuring 17 restaurants. With its striking exterior and diverse dining establishments, the interior creates a unique atmosphere distinct from other dining districts through its use of state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. As preparations for the upcoming Shinjuku event 2025 continue, this area is expected to become an even more vibrant destination.

This yokocho offers not just Japanese izakayas but also restaurants serving cuisine from various Asian countries including Korean and Thai food. The area features a giant dragon object, traditional lanterns, and beautiful neon lights, allowing visitors to enjoy an extraordinary dining experience.

Address: Sugitada Building B1&1F, 3-36-12 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 1-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station East Exit
Opening Hours: Varies by establishment
Closed Days: Varies by establishment
Website: https://ryunomiyako.com/

For Bar Hopping in Shinjuku, Exploring with Locals Who Know the Nightlife is Best!

Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku

This tour takes you to three hidden local pubs and bars in Shinjuku that tourists rarely discover. With multilingual guides, there's no need to worry about language barriers. It's an excellent preview of the entertainment options that will be featured during the Shinjuku event 2025.

The tour begins in the backstreets of Shinjuku Station's West Exit at Omoide Yokocho, where you'll enjoy drinks and food at a charming izakaya. Then, you'll visit bars in Kabukicho and another location, enjoying meals and bar hopping while interacting with locals, bridging cultural gaps.

The tour is conducted in small groups, making it easy to converse with other participants and encourage interaction. The tour fee includes meal costs, so you can participate without bringing anything extra.

Participants come from various countries, so actively engage in conversation and fully immerse yourself in the local Japanese atmosphere.

Click here for more details: Tokyo Bar Hopping Night Tour in Shinjuku

Meeting Point: Black pillar next to UNIQLO Shinjuku West Exit Store
Tour Area: Shinjuku, Kabukicho
Start Times: 17:00/17:30/18:00/18:30/19:00

Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku

This 3.5-hour gourmet tour takes you through three culinary hotspots in vibrant Shinjuku, led by a multilingual guide with extensive knowledge of the area. As part of the exciting build-up to the major Shinjuku event 2025, this tour has been carefully curated to showcase the best of local cuisine. The journey begins at a sushi restaurant where you'll savor fresh nigiri sushi.

Next, you'll visit a barbecue restaurant specializing in wagyu beef, where you can enjoy various types of premium Japanese beef dishes. The tour concludes with a guided walk through Kabukicho, where your guide will take you to recommended night spots to relax and enjoy drinks.

With our expert guide taking you to the finest recommended establishments, you can enjoy your dining experience without worrying about language barriers. The tour's charm lies in losing track of time while enjoying meals with our humorous guide.

Throughout the tour, you'll have the opportunity to connect with participants from various nationalities. Join us to experience the full flavors of Shinjuku!

Click here for more details: Tokyo Night Foodie Tour in Shinjuku

Meeting Point: UNIQLO Shinjuku West Exit Store
Tour Area: Shinjuku
Start Times: 17:00/18:00/19:00