sake

Osaki Senbero

The area around Furukawa Station in Osaki City, the core city of the prefecture, is a treasure trove of Senbero Bars! [Miyagi Prefecture]

Osaki City, a core city in northern Miyagi Prefecture, was created through the great merger that took place during the Heisei era

The central part of Osaki City, which stretches from Kashimadai to Naruko from east to west, is the former Furukawa City, which is home to Furukawa Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen, Tohoku Main Line, and Rikuou East Line, and through which the Tohoku Expressway and National Route 4 pass

However, in recent years, the area around Furukawa Station has seen a decline in foot traffic as many commercial facilities have closed, and shuttered stores are becoming more and more common in the shopping district in front of the station

However, charming "senbero bars" like those found in Tokyo's downtown areas are still thriving in various places, and not only local residents but also guests staying at the business hotels that are often found around train stations are enjoying "senbero."

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 prices in the article include tax unless otherwise stated and are as of the end of September 2023.

Yakitori Center Furukawa Station Branch

This is a yakitori restaurant chain that has expanded nationwide, mainly in the Kanto region, and in the Tohoku region, in addition to this one in front of Furukawa Station, they also have stores in front of Ichinoseki Station in Iwate Prefecture and Akita Station in Akita Prefecture

Located in Torikiku Noren Yokocho, about a 6-minute walk from the main entrance of Furukawa Station, this restaurant is famous for its delicious yakitori made with domestic chicken and its special sauce.They also have a wide variety of other dishes such as meatball skewers, with prices starting from 176 yen per skewer

There are a variety of skewers available starting from 209 yen, and a wide range of snacks such as edamame and acorns (boiled quail eggs) are also available at low prices starting from 319 yen

Drinks are also available at a bargain price, with a medium mug of draft beer costing just 319 yen, and if you order a refill (209 yen) from a Hoppy set (429 yen), shochu will be poured until the customer says "stop!", allowing you to enjoy a "senberobero" experience

Yakitori Center Furukawa Station Store <Information>

Google Maps

Charcoal Grilled Yakitori Dressing Room

From the official Charcoal Grilled Yakitori Rakuya website

This yakitori restaurant is also run by a husband and wife and is located in Torikiku Noren Yokocho, about a 7-minute walk from the main entrance of Furukawa Station

Yakitori skewers start at 143 yen and you can try various parts of chicken, and most dishes are around 500 yen. Depending on the day's stock, they also offer fresh seafood sashimi delivered directly from Ishinomaki Port at reasonable prices

From the official Charcoal Grilled Yakitori Rakuya website

The drink menu includes sour drinks for 495 yen, medium-sized draft beers and various Miyagi local sakes (including Junmai Daiginjo) for 638 yen, and new local sake may be available depending on the season

There is no appetizer, so you can enjoy it as a "senbero" (cheap drinking) experience

Charcoal Grilled Yakitori Rakuya ＜Information＞

Google Maps

Okama Motsuni Goemon Furukawa Station Branch

From the official website of Okama Motsuni Goemon Furukawa Station Branch

Senbero Sakaba, located near the intersection of National Route 108 and Furukawa City Ekimae Boulevard on the north side of Furukawa Station, is known for its motsu-ni (stewed offal), made with plenty of fresh pork innards simmered in a large cauldron, and yakitori (grilled pork skewers) grilled in a secret sauce

From the official website of Okama Motsuni Goemon Furukawa Station Branch

In addition to the standard cuts, you can also enjoy rare cuts such as "otoro horumon," which is grilled fat around the small intestine called "kikuabura," and soft and fluffy "fuwa (lung)."

Drinks include draft beer, sours, and Hoppy, which go well with stewed offal and grilled pork, all in the 500 yen range. Among the Hoppy drinks, we recommend Sharikin (319 yen), which is ice-cold Kinmiya shochu

From the official website of Okama Motsuni Goemon Furukawa Station Branch

Events such as "Happy Hour" are held on limited days and times, during which highballs and chuhai are offered at the bargain price of 50 yen (100 yen for mega)

Be sure to check the store's official website before heading out

Goemon's Okama Motsuni (Motsu-ni)

Google Maps

Kushikatsu Bar Naniwaya Honpo

Run by an Osaka native whose catchphrase is "Delicious! Cheap! Fun!", this kushikatsu restaurant is an authentic Osaka-style kushikatsu restaurant that follows the "no double-dipping in sauce" rule

Exit the main exit of Furukawa Station, walk through the arch with the 77 Bank on your right, and it's about a 5-minute walk from the second traffic light on the right corner

From the official Facebook page of Kushikatsu Sakaba Naniwaya Honpo

The kushikatsu menu has a wide variety of meat, seafood, and vegetables, and is reasonably priced, starting at 110 yen. A platter of five skewers is just 550 yen, making it a perfect snack for a "senbero" (cheap drinking) night

The a la carte dishes are also reasonably priced, with fried chicken priced at 385 yen and fried dumplings at 330 yen. The takoyaki (octopus balls) cooked by the owner, who is originally from Osaka, are also recommended for 440 yen, and you can even rent a takoyaki machine to cook them yourself

Another nice touch is that a variety of instant ramen noodles are available for 220 yen to finish off your meal

Drinks include draft beer and cocktails at 495 yen, and sour drinks and a cup of sake at 385 yen, making for a great "senbero" price

There are also some great value courses available, such as the "Just a Little Course (1,000 yen)" which includes six kushikatsu and one drink, and the "Hearty Kushikatsu Course (1,700 yen)" which includes ten kushikatsu and one drink

Kushikatsu Bar Naniwaya Honpo ＜Information＞

Google Maps

summary

Furukawa City was once a thriving central city serving the northern part of the prefecture, as it is served by the Shinkansen bullet train. However, in recent years, the expansion of large suburban stores and the development of residential areas in the surrounding area have led to the shopping district around Furukawa Station declining

However, this year, the new Osaki City Hall building was completed in Nanukamachi within the city, and redevelopment of the surrounding area is progressing, so the town from Furukawa Station to the west of City Hall is beginning to regain its vitality

The rise of "senbero" bars in this area may be due to this change in the flow of people

Miyagi Senbero Bar Series

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The area around Furukawa Station in Osaki City, the core city of the prefecture, is a treasure trove of Senbero Bars! [Miyagi Prefecture]
https://jp.neft.asia/archives/26842
Osaki City, a core city in northern Miyagi Prefecture, was born as a result of the Heisei Great Merger. Stretching east to west from Kashimadai to Naruko, Osaki City's central location is the former Furukawa City, home to Furukawa Station, which is on the Tohoku Shinkansen, Tohoku Main Line, and Rikuu East Line, and is also served by the Tohoku Expressway and National Route 4. In recent years, however, the area around Furukawa Station has seen a decline in foot traffic due to the closure of many commercial facilities, and shuttered stores are becoming more prominent in the shopping district in front of the station. Despite this, charming "senbero" (cheap drinking) bars, reminiscent of those found in Tokyo's downtown areas, continue to thrive, attracting not only local residents but also the many businesspeople who frequent the area.

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