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Known as one of Japan's leading rice-producing regions, Shonai faces the Sea of Japan to the west and is surrounded by mountains such as Mt. Chokai and the Dewa Sanzan (Mount Gassan, Mount Yudono, and Mount Haguro) to the north, east, and south, all of which are rich in nature and surrounded by plains
The Shonai Plain is a fertile plain through which rivers such as the Mogami River flow, originating from these mountains. It produces delicious rice such as Koshihikari and is known as a "food capital" blessed with ingredients from the mountains and sea
Shonai is home to two cities: Tsuruoka, with a population of 120,000, and Sakata, with a population of 100,000. However, there seems to be a difference in character between Tsuruoka, the castle town of the Shonai domain, and Sakata, a thriving port town and commercial city
I don't know if that's the reason, but when comparing these two cities, Sakata City in particular has a large number of "senbero bars" that I would like to recommend
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.
Kumura's Bar
From the Shonai Tourism Site
This restaurant started as a corner bar in a long-established liquor store founded in 1867, and has continued to be loved by locals, with people saying, "If you come to Sakata, you must stop by here." It is now recognized locally as a bar, so we will introduce it as a "senbero bar."
The restaurant is located about a 15-minute walk from Sakata Station towards Hiyoriyama, and the U-shaped counter inside is made up of glass cases where customers can order while looking at the recommended dishes of the day
Popular items include the handmade gyoza and handmade croquettes (473 yen each), as well as the fried tofu and tentacles set (440 yen). There is also a wide variety of other dishes on the menu, including limited-quantity homemade salted squid (462 yen), stewed offal, and pizza
Drinks include a medium mug of draft beer for 564 yen, highballs and chuhais for 418 yen, and Hoppy
Originally a liquor store, they have a wide variety of sake, mainly local Yamagata sake, but if you want to enjoy "senbero" (cheap drinking), we recommend the 319 yen glass of sake (hot, cold, room temperature) or the glass of shochu (20% 286 yen, 25% 297 yen)
Hisamura's Bar <Information>
Store name: Hisamura's Bar
Address: 1-41 Kotobukicho, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Phone number: 0234-24-0356
Business hours: Tuesday to Saturday 17:30 to 21:00
From the official Facebook page of Charcoal Grilled Yakitori Kamome
This popular restaurant is located in the residential area of Sennichimachi, about 1km from Sakata Station, and has a counter with seating for about 10 people, as well as a private room on a raised platform that can accommodate 20 people
From the official Facebook page of Charcoal Grilled Yakitori Kamome
There are over 30 types of yakitori, pork, and motsuyaki, all reasonably priced from 110 yen each, and there are over 10 types of kushiage skewers to choose from starting at 130 yen, with a wide variety of other a la carte dishes available for under 500 yen
From the official Facebook page of Charcoal Grilled Yakitori Kamome
Of the 350 yen stews, the salted beef tendon stew and pork innards stew are especially recommended. It's interesting that the flavor of the stew changes with the seasons, with salt in the spring and miso in the winter
Although it is located away from the downtown area, it is a popular restaurant that is often fully booked, so it may be a good idea to make a reservation in advance if you plan to visit
Charcoal Grilled Yakitori Kamome ＜Information＞
Store name: Charcoal grilled yakitori Kamome
Address: 21-9 Sennichimachi, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture
The approach to Hie Shrine on Hiyoriyama in Sakata City is paved with cobblestones and is a charming street full of restaurants, but at first glance, the atmosphere of this restaurant in the midst of this streetscape makes it seem like it could be an upscale izakaya
From the official gourmet Tachikawa website
However, while the course menu is priced at 3,000 to 5,000 yen, the same as a regular izakaya, they also offer reasonable snacks such as cold tofu and deep-fried tofu for 240 yen, and grilled chicken wings (3 pieces) for 350 yen
From the official gourmet Tachikawa website
Drink prices are 530 yen for draft beer and under 500 yen for highballs and sours
As they always have seasonal sake in stock, if there is something that is not on the menu, you can tell them your preferences and they will choose something to suit your taste
The dry "Gen no Funauta" sake, made from Sakata's local sake "Hatsumago," is priced at 390 yen per cup, a great price for "senbero" drinking, making this an izakaya where you can fully enjoy "senbero."
Gourmet Tachikawa <Information>
Store name: Gourmet Tachikawa
Address: 2-1-30 Hiyoshicho, Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture
Located about a three-minute walk from Tsuruoka Station, this izakaya has a standing counter that can fit up to 10 people, allowing you to enjoy a quick "senbero" (cheap drinking) experience
The system is such that you pay for everything, including drinks and snacks, upfront and then exchange them for your drink; there are no appetizers
Drinks include draft beer for 400 yen and various sours for 350 yen, as well as wine and sake for around 400 yen
Popular appetizers include potato salad, chicken skin with ponzu sauce, and French fries for 250 yen, freshly fried horse mackerel, ham cutlet, and minced meat cutlet for 200 yen, and croquettes for a bargain 150 yen
Another popular item is Yumiko's Gyoza (3 pieces for 400 yen), which are made by a friend of the owner's wife. They are known for their delicious chewy skin, and despite their low prices, the food is highly rated for its taste
There are five "standing bar rules" posted inside the bar, so please follow them to enjoy a stylish standing bar experience
Standing bar Maki ＜Information＞
Store name: Standing bar Maki
Address: 11-15 Suehirocho, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
In Shonai, the "senbero" bars we would like to introduce are concentrated in Sakata, but there are also signs that "senbero" drinking is becoming popular, with a new bar where you can enjoy standing drinking opening in Tsuruoka
In addition to the ones introduced here, Sakata City also has many other long-established yakitori restaurants and pubs where you can enjoy "senbero," allowing you to enjoy "senbero" bar hopping
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!
![Dewa Sanzan Shrine Sanjinkai Festival Hall](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAJYAAACWAQAAAAAUekxPAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAaSURBVEjH7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAACAdwMLuAABXZHjmQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg== "Dewa Sanzan, a famous mountain worship venue that symbolizes "life, death, and rebirth" (Yamagata Prefecture)")
![Dewa Sanzan Shrine Sanjinkai Festival Hall](https://jp.neft.asia/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/27691299_m-150x150.jpg.webp "Dewa Sanzan, a famous mountain worship venue that symbolizes "life, death, and rebirth" (Yamagata Prefecture)")
