Yumezake Shinjuku Izakaya Review: Kabukicho's Local Gem 2026

Tokyo Travel: Must-Try Eateries

Kabukicho Izakaya Yumezake Shinjuku Branch

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Text/Photos ©Hibubu

When you travel to Japan, an evening at an izakaya

is definitely something you have to experience, isn't it?

Especially a local izakaya that really captures the authentic Japanese vibe —

an izakaya tour like that is on many travelers'

bucket lists.

Today, I'm going to introduce you to an izakaya that embodies that local charm and

where you can also sample a wide variety of sake, right here in Kabukicho:

Izakaya Yumezake Shinjuku Branch!

Tokyo Trip: Your Guide to Must-Try Izakayas

Yumezake Shinjuku Main Branch (夢酒 新宿本店, Yumezake Shinjuku Shop)

Opening Hours: 4:00 PM ~ 12:00 AM (Fri, Sat until 2:00 AM) * Weekends open from 3:00 PM Closed: No regular holidays Location: 5-minute walk from Seibu Shinjuku Station

📍 Yumezake Shinjuku Main Branch is located north of Kabukicho,

just about a 5-minute walk from Seibu Shinjuku Station.

It's a little removed from the bustling heart of Kabukicho,

so the foot traffic right in front of the restaurant is relatively low, but

it's an izakaya that's incredibly popular with the locals.

As the name suggests, this izakaya offers a wide variety of Nihonshu (Japanese sake) to try,

and it's open late into the night, making it a great spot to visit anytime.

Step Inside Yumezake: The Ambiance

First, let me show you what the interior of Yumezake looks like.

It was quite busy, so I couldn't get a full shot of the entire space, but

the interior has a warm, traditional tavern-like feel,

with Nihonshu bottles beautifully displayed on the walls.

Also, some seating areas have partitions,

giving them a slightly more private feel.

Near where I was seated, there was a sake refrigerator,

and the sheer number of different sake varieties inside was truly impressive.

So, if you're a fan of Nihonshu,

you'll have plenty of options to taste and compare, right?

The Menu at Izakaya Yumezake

Next up, I'll show you the menu.

While there are traditional paper menus, they also have an electronic menu

that you can easily view via a QR code!

For appetizers, they offer limited-quantity Tuna Yukhoe,

special menu items like steak, oysters, and also Ham Katsu,

Shirako Ponzu, and more – all essential eats at a Japanese izakaya.

They had a fantastic selection of unique appetizers.

While the portions weren't huge, the prices were generally around ~$6, so

you wouldn't feel much pressure when ordering.

But what truly stood out was their incredible selection of Nihonshu (Japanese sake).

It wasn't an exaggeration to say they had sake from all 47 prefectures – the variety was absolutely astounding!

What I loved was their 'Nomi Kurabe Set,' allowing you to compare 2-3 different sakes for around ~$3 to just over ~$6.

They had over 10 variations of the Nomi Kurabe alone, and

you could choose sets tailored to your preferences like pairings with fish, fruity profiles, or *karakuchi* (dry) sakes – it was brilliant!

Just a heads-up, I used the Japanese menu myself,

but rest assured, an English menu is available!

(Check out the QR code in the picture on the left for reference.)

Even better, after your first order, you can conveniently place subsequent orders using a QR code for table service!

Yumezake: A Culinary Adventure (Food Review)

Now, let's dive into what I ordered and how absolutely delicious it all was!

To start, I ordered a refreshing draft beer, which came with complimentary braised radish.

The braised radish was savory with a rich umami flavor, absolutely delightful, and

the beer was perfectly chilled and incredibly smooth.

* Just a quick note: the *otoshi* (appetizer charge) of ~$3 is separate.

I polished off my beer pretty quickly, so next up, I ordered the 'Karakuchi Nomi Kurabe Set'.

For ~$6, you get three glasses as pictured.

*Karakuchi* generally refers to a dry, sometimes bitter taste, but I found all three sakes in the set incredibly smooth.

As I savored my Nihonshu, the two appetizers I'd ordered arrived in quick succession.

This intriguing dish was horse meat *yukhoe* (sashimi), which I simply had to try out of curiosity.

It had a unique texture, slightly firm yet delightfully chewy, and surprisingly lean and clean-tasting.

Being a raw meat dish, it paired beautifully with the Nihonshu, and I imagine most people would find it quite enjoyable.

My second appetizer was Kaki Fry, or delicious fried oysters.

At around ~$3 for four pieces, it was incredibly affordable, and they were fried to perfection, delivering an exquisite crispiness.

The oysters themselves were small, so they weren't expensive ones,

but they actually suited being fried even better.

Next, we ordered the Seasonal Nomikurabe Set.

Overall, they were fragrant and much smoother,

and especially the banana-shaped Nihonshu on the left

had a real banana scent, which was unique and tasted great!

For snacks to go with our drinks, we ordered Ankimo Ponzu.

The rich umami flavor melted and spread in my mouth,

it was truly incredibly flavorful.

It’s a dish that pairs perfectly with Nihonshu,

so if you visit Yumezake, you absolutely have to try it!

Finally, I enjoyed one last glass of sake à la carte

and happily concluded my meal.

If you love sake, Yumezake is a must-visit!

At Yumezake, I had seven glasses of sake, one draft beer,

and three appetizer dishes,

and the total came out to 6,400 yen.

(This included a 5% late-night charge and 500 yen for the otoshi.)

The appetizer portions were small, but the prices were reasonable,

and considering you can compare the quantity and taste of the drinks,

I think it's a pretty good price range.

Especially since prices in Shinjuku, Tokyo, are notoriously high,

when you consider how much variety we enjoyed in food and drink,

it was definitely quite reasonable.

The staff were all incredibly friendly and helpful,

and the food was delicious. It's an izakaya I'd highly recommend

to any friend traveling to the area who loves Nihonshu!

Since it's an izakaya that stays open late,

I recommend anyone staying near Shinjuku or Kabukicho

to definitely stop by for a casual drink in the evening!

Excessive alcohol consumption can cause strokes, memory impairment, or dementia. Alcohol consumption during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects.

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▼ After Izakaya, it's time for some hangover relief! Nearby Ramen Spot Recommendations ▼

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