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The Tohoku Shinkansen line south of Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture has four stations: Shin-Hanamaki, Kitakami, Mizusawa-Esashi, and Ichinoseki, from north to south.Each station is used by many passengers, including not only local residents but also tourists and businessmen from outside the prefecture
The cities of Hanamaki, Kitakami, Oshu, and Ichinoseki (these are the official administrative names) where these stations are located have many unique restaurants, including some "senbero" (cheap drinking) bars that are loved by locals
In this article, we will introduce one recommended "senbero bar" from each of these four cities
What is the definition of "senbero"?
Originally, the term referred to a bar where you could get completely drunk for 1,000 yen, but now it has a stronger meaning of a bar where you can have some snacks and two or three drinks for 1,000 yen
In this article, we have defined the criteria for certifying a bar as a "senbero" bar as follows:
You can order two drinks (any type and amount) and one snack in addition to the appetizer for under 1,000 yen
There are set prices of less than 1,000 yen, such as "Senbero Set"
Family restaurants where you can enjoy "senbero" (cheap drinking) are excluded from the scope of this rule
Please note that we also introduce sets under 1,500 yen as "high-end senbero," but we hope you will forgive us for this
Unless otherwise specified, prices in the article include tax and are current as of the end of September 2023
For "senbero" in Hanamaki, head to the cafe "yae Furin"!
There are few restaurants in front of Shin-Hanamaki Station on the Shinkansen line, so if you want to enjoy "senbero," it's better to transfer to the Kamaishi Line and travel to Hanamaki Station on the conventional line
From yae Furin official Facebook page
For "senbero" here, we recommend the "senbero" set from "yae Furin", located about 1 km from Hanamaki Station
The name "yae" comes from the name of the owner, who retired from a coffee company, and refers to the grilled tofu that his grandfather used to make. At this cafe, you can enjoy healthy snacks made with grilled tofu
The bright wood-toned interior has five counter seats and six table seats, and it is a rare and valuable restaurant in Iwate Prefecture where you can enjoy grilled gluten dishes such as gluten chili, gluten nanban, and gluten potato
The evening drink set (1,000 yen) includes one large bottle of beer, chuhai, highball, wine, and sake (Nanbu Seki)
In that case, you will get two bowls of any of these and two snacks made with grilled tofu
yae Furin <Information>
Store name: yae Furin
Address: 6-3 Kajicho, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture
Phone number: 080-582-19049
Business hours: Tuesday to Saturday 11:00 to 15:00
This restaurant serves charcoal-grilled yakitori and creative Japanese cuisine, and is located about a 5-minute walk from the east exit of Kitakami Station towards City Hall
The shop has a striking orange sign and its bright and clean interior makes it a safe place for families and women to come alone
From Ajikobo Yuzu's official Facebook page
Yakitori and yakiton skewers start at 130 yen each (gizzard and skin skewers), and many a la carte dishes such as fried chicken cartilage and charcoal-grilled shishamo fish, as well as various drinks, are all under 500 yen, making it a great place to have a quick drink at "senbero."
Of these dishes, the cheese tofu (480 yen) is particularly recommended; many regular customers become addicted to the cheese-like flavor of the tofu and return to the restaurant
Additionally, the restaurant has homemade salt ponzu sauce available on the tables and counters, allowing customers to freely enjoy different flavors, which is also popular
A very good value evening drink set
This set is priced at 2,300 yen, so it can't be called "senbero," but it is highly recommended as the snacks included are excellent and substantial
You can order up to two drinks of any kind, and the meal includes a small bowl of seasonal ingredients, a platter of three pieces of sashimi of the day, two skewers of yakitori, one dish selected by the chef, and even a bowl of ochazuke (rice with tea) to finish off the meal
If you were to order normally, it would probably cost over 3,000 yen, so why not order it and imagine it as if you were enjoying two rounds of "senbero"?
Ajikobo Yuzu <Information>
Store name: Ajikobo Yuzu
Address: 2-7-2 Aoyagicho, Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture
It is located in a small alley behind the Mizusawa Grand Hotel on the street in front of Mizusawa Station. You will be surprised by its tin-framed, shack-like exterior, and you may hesitate to enter if it is your first time
Inside the store, there are several large hornet's nests hanging from the ceiling, and a variety of small items are lined up all over the counter, creating an indescribable world of chaos
However, the yakitori (grilled offal) grilled by the artisan-like owner is exceptionally delicious, combined with the flavor of the sauce that has been added to over the past 60 years
The only snacks available are yakitori and pickles, and there is no menu, so I don't know the prices, but you can enjoy 10 skewers of yakitori along with one bottle of beer for a "senbero" price
The final ramen is also recommended, with a refreshing soy sauce flavor
Although it is far from Mizusawa-Esashi Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen, this "senbero bar" is worth visiting even if you have to take a taxi
Yakitori Dojo Michinoku ＜Information＞
Store name: Yakitori Dojo Michinoku
Address: 17-2 Higashimachi, Mizusawa, Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture
Located just a 3-minute walk from Ichinoseki Station, this unique izakaya offers a wide variety of affordable, hearty snacks and even adds dishes suggested by regular customers to the menu
It is also well-known for its wide selection of sake, and the drinks menu is extensive, including Heartland draft beer
they offer a "business trip discount" for people visiting Ichinoseki on business
Business trip discount (1,000 yen): Limited to business travelers
You can choose two drinks from the all-you-can-drink menu and each drink comes with one appetizer of your choice
Senbero Set (1,000 yen): Counter seats only
One appetizer dish comes with three glasses of Kinmiya shochu, and you can choose how to drink it - with water, hot water, or soda
Evening Drink Set (1,700 yen): Weekdays only
This is a great value set that includes your choice of two drinks from the all-you-can-drink menu, two appetizers of your choice, and even salted fish yakisoba
Izakaya Anzuan ＜Information＞
Store name: Izakaya Anzuan
Address: 1-2 Otemachi, Ichinoseki City, Iwate Prefecture
In Iwate Prefecture, the number of "senbero bars" is increasing in Morioka city, and in cities in the southern part of the prefecture, there are also an increasing number of restaurants offering set menus with "senbero" in mind, such as those introduced here
At these restaurants, businessmen on business trips enjoy "senbero."
I'm a former Edokko man who loves Morioka and the six Tohoku prefectures, and I also love history, food, travel, sports, alcohol, and singing. I'll be introducing you to the interesting, delicious, and great things about Tohoku!
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