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Nebuta Festival which had been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was once a hub for the movement of people and goods between Hokkaido and the Seikan Ferry, and was also the terminal station (departure station) for night trains and Blue Trains departing from Ueno
the traditional Honmachi (Yanagimachi) area , which is located away from the station Shinmachi, which stretches east from the front of Aomori Station. However, most of the bars where you can enjoy "senbero" are concentrated in the Shinmachi area.
In this article, we will introduce some unique "senbero" bars, including long-established izakayas near train stations and standing bars where you can casually drop in for a quick drink
What is the definition of “senbero”?
The word originally referred to a bar where you could get very drunk for 1,000 yen, but now it has come to mean a bar where you can get 2 to 3 drinks and snacks for 1,000 yen.
In this article, we have defined the criteria for certification as a "Senbero" bar as follows.
You can order two glasses of alcohol (type and quantity are free) and one snack in addition to the appetizer and drink it for less than 1,000 yen.
Set prices such as "Senbero Set" are available for less than 1,000 yen.
Family restaurants where you can eat rice crackers are not eligible.
We also introduce sets that cost less than 1,500 yen as "high-priced rice crackers," but we appreciate your understanding.
Please note that most of the prices listed in the article include tax and are current as of the end of September 2023
A "senbero" izakaya with a Showa-era atmosphere in front of the station
In front of Aomori Station
In front of Aomori Station, there is a long-established "senbero" bar that exudes a Showa-era vibe and is sure to have been bustling with customers stopping by to kill time while waiting for trains during the heyday of rail transport
Recommended snacks the "Motsu Niku" (470 yen), which is made with plenty of offal stewed in soy sauce until soft and melt-in-your-mouth , and the grilled skewers (110-180 yen) served with the complimentary homemade garlic miso .
The best value for money alcoholic beverage is 1 cup of sake (330 yen), and there are a variety of chuhai drinks available for 330-410 yen, and you can also keep bottles of shochu and whiskey on hand
Idobata Ekimae Store <Information>
Store name: Idobata Station Store
Address: 1-3-24 Yasukata, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
The second floor of Osanai Restaurant, located in Shinmachi Shopping Street extending from Aomori Station, opens as an izakaya from 5pm, where you can enjoy the restaurant's dishes as snacks
The restaurant's specialty dish, "Grilled Scallops with Miso," is a little pricey at 900 yen, but it's a generous portion of scallops and vegetables covered in egg and topped with sea urchin, making it a satisfying snack on its own. Fresh seafood sashimi from Mutsu Bay, including abalone sashimi for 600 yen, is also recommended for its cheapness and deliciousness, but available , each priced at 300 yen
Izakaya Osanai <Information>
Store name: Izakaya Osanai
Address: 2F Osanai Restaurant, 1-1-17 Shinmachi, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
Shinmachi Shopping Street in front of Aomori Station
In Shinmachi, following the recent "senbero" boom, new standing bars and corner bars are opening up, and you can enjoy delicious Aomori's local sake in a "senbero" style
Here we will introduce three particularly recommended standing bars from among these
It is said to be the most popular standing bar in Aomori City, and offers a wide variety of cheap and delicious snacks, such as a stew filled with plenty of offal for 350 yen, a small bowl of three kinds of Aomori seafood delicacies for 400 yen, and oden with each ingredient priced at 100 to 150 yen .
The Hoppy Set (400 yen) includes the classic Kinmyou Shochu, which is unusual for a standing bar, and the sake selection includes Junmai sake from famous Aomori brands such as Denshu, Mutsu Hassen, and Toyosakai, all priced at just 600 yen, and draft beer is also reasonably priced at 400 yen.
Thanks to the friendly personality of the proprietress, this standing bar is always full of regular customers and is also popular with tourists, but please be aware that there is a sign inside the bar that reads, "No entry for those who are extremely drunk."
Shinkai Shoten＜Information＞
Store name: Shinkai Shoten
Address: 1-11-9 Shinmachi, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
Phone number: 090-1156-2968
Business hours: Tuesday to Saturday 13:00 to 22:00
This standing bar where you can sit down is located on the first floor of the Aomori Prefectural Tourist and Products Center Aspam, an impressive triangular pyramid-shaped building in Aoi Umi Park facing Aomori Port
They also offer the "Omakase Set (1,300 yen)" which allows you to enjoy four types of local Aomori sake, and the "Luxury Set (1,800 yen)" which allows you to drink four types of famous sake from around the country, so they are recommended for when you're having trouble choosing a drink
As a standing bar in the prefecture's tourist and souvenir center, it not only has a wide variety of Aomori's local sake, but also has a selection of over 40 types of sake on display at all times, including famous brands of local sake from around the country, craft beer, wine, and shochu
After enjoying the view of Mutsu Bay from the observation deck on the 13th floor of Aspam, it's nice to have a drink while choosing souvenirs
Standing bar Aspam Local Sake ＜Information＞
Store name: Standing bar Local sake Aspam
Address: Aspam 1F, 1-1-40 Yasukata, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
This is a corner bar started by Sato Shoten, a liquor store that carries a wide selection of local sake not only from Aomori but from all over Japan, as well as wine, and you can also drink during the day.
The interior of the shop has a retro Showa-era look and is spacious and clean, creating an atmosphere where even women can enjoy a drink alone with peace of mind. A stylish "Snack Plate (5 items)" and a "Tasting Set" with a choice of four local sakes or wines is priced at 1,400 yen, which is a little pricey, but you can enjoy "senbero" in a cozy corner.
Jizakean Sato <Information>
Store name: Jizakean Sato
Address: 1-4-4 Yasukata, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
The Seikan Ferry has been discontinued, and the new Shinkansen line runs through Aomori City, far from the city center. However, even though the flow of people in front of Aomori Station has decreased, the area is lively and the "senbero" culture is thriving
In addition to the long-established izakayas that continue to thrive in front of Aomori Station, you can enjoy new standing bars and liquor stores that have started offering corner drinking, each with their own unique character, so why not stop by Aomori Station and enjoy some "senbero" (cheap drinking)?
I am a former Edo guy who loves Morioka, loves the six prefectures of Tohoku, and loves history, gourmet food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. We'll introduce you to some interesting, delicious, and good things about Tohoku!
![Fukushima Senbero](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/149ef30490c11ee4d40e019582798363-150x150.jpg.webp "If you're looking for "senbero" on Nakadori in Fukushima Prefecture, these five places are the place to go!")
