Akita Nagaya Sakaba

Just a 3-minute walk from JR Akita Station, Akita Nagaya Sakaba is an izakaya where you can enjoy Akita's local cuisine and regional sake all in one place. Its exterior, decorated with giant red and blue Namahage masks, makes it easy to spot. Locals also love it as a place to experience Akita's traditional Namahage culture.

The extensive menu features Akita specialties such as Hinai jidori grilled on a kuw-yaki plate, iburigakko, and kiritanpo hot pot. Among them, the rare shottsuru hot pot made with hatahata, a fish that represents Akita, is especially notable. The soup, infused with the distinctive umami of shottsuru fish sauce, has a deep flavor you can only taste here. Sashimi and other à la carte dishes made with fresh seafood delivered directly from the local Akita Central Wholesale Market are also popular.

Around 8pm every night, Namahage appear inside the restaurant. There is also a performance of Akita folk songs once a week. These special touches let you experience Akita's traditional culture firsthand. The restaurant has Approx. 100 seats, including counter seats, tatami rooms, and a large banquet hall. Private bookings are available for groups of at least Approx. 80 people. It's a rare place where you can enjoy both local flavors and culture together.