Sake and Seasonal Flavors in Yasu: An Izakaya Experience for All Seasons

Experience the Seasons at Our Yasu Izakaya: A Special Time Created by Sake and Seasonal Flavors

To everyone in Yasu, and to our guests looking for delicious drinks and food around Yasu Station.

As a beloved local izakaya in Yasu, we dedicate ourselves daily to providing heartfelt cuisine and drinks. The allure of sake from Yasu, with its rich aroma and depth, paired with seasonal delicacies available only at their peak, offers a truly exceptional experience.

The changing seasons of Japan bring color to our dining tables. Wild mountain vegetables that signal the breath of spring, fresh seafood nurtured by the summer sun, the rich bounty of autumn, and the deeply flavorful ingredients cultivated by the harsh cold of winter. Here in Yasu, we hope you will fully savor the finest blessings each season brings.

The Depth of Sake and Seasonal Cuisine

• Japan's beautiful four seasons and their transitions bring a vibrant array to our dining tables.
• In spring, summer, autumn, and winter, there are ingredients at their most delicious and sake that complements them perfectly.
• We hope that you will fully enjoy this rich Japanese food culture here at our izakaya in Yasu.

Discover Something New with Yasu Sake: Encounters with Fine Sakes of Every Season

There are so many types of sake, I don't know which one to choose. I want to find a sake that suits my taste. Have you ever felt this way? As a drinking spot near Yasu Station, we believe that choosing sake should also be an enjoyable experience for our customers.

Our establishment offers a wide selection of local sake meticulously brewed by breweries around Yasu, as well as carefully selected seasonal sakes from all over the country. Our rotating seasonal sake lineup promises new discoveries and delights with every visit.

From Local Shiga Sake to Famous Brands Nationwide

• Spring: Fresh and floral new brews (shinshu) and lightly sparkling unpasteurized sake (nama-zake) herald the arrival of spring. They pair exceptionally well with tempura of wild mountain vegetables and light white fish.
• Summer: Crisp, dry sakes and refreshing ginjo sakes will make you forget the summer heat. Enjoy them with sashimi of fresh fish direct from the port or robata-grilled summer vegetables.
• Autumn: Mellowed hiyaoroshi sake, aged through the summer, and richly aromatic junmai sake enhance the flavors of autumn. The pairing with Pacific saury or mushroom dishes is exceptional.
• Winter: Full-bodied junmai sake, perfect for warming (kan), and rich aged sake (koshu) will warm you up. Enjoy a luxurious time by pairing them with simmered Yasu Omi beef or fatty fish dishes.

Sake also changes its character depending on the temperature. Chilled for crispness, warmed for richness. We will suggest the best way to drink it according to your preference.

Guidance from a Sake Professional

What kind of sake goes well with this dish? What sake would suit my mood today? Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to answer such questions. Please feel free to ask us, as we can recommend the perfect glass to match your preferences, your mood, and your meal. We look forward to exploring the depth and enjoyment of sake together with you at our Yasu izakaya.

Making the Most of Seasonal Flavors: Fresh Fish from the Port, Yasu Omi Beef, and Robatayaki

Dishes made with seasonal ingredients are what truly bring out the best in sake. We put special emphasis on seafood dishes in Yasu, using an abundance of fresh fish delivered directly from the fishing port, selected each morning by our expert purveyors. Additionally, Shiga's pride, Yasu's Omi beef, is an indispensable seasonal delicacy. To serve these ingredients in their best condition, we value the cooking method of robatayaki grilling in Yasu.

Freshly Caught! The Charm of Fish Direct from the Port

• Seafood caught that very day is firm and full of deep umami. While enjoying its natural flavor as sashimi is a must, you can also discover a new side to it when grilled to perfection over our robata grill in Yasu.
• Spring: Red sea bream (sakuradai) and early bonito (hatsu-gatsuo) are delicious as sashimi or lightly seared. They are also exquisite as tempura with wild mountain vegetables.
• Summer: Rock oysters and sea bass can be enjoyed refreshingly with a squeeze of lemon, or simply salt-grilled.
• Autumn: Fatty Pacific saury and returning bonito (modori-gatsuo) are aromatic when robata-grilled, or served as 'tataki' (seared).
• Winter: Firm-fleshed winter yellowtail (kan-buri) and crab can be enjoyed luxuriously in various ways, such as sashimi, salt-grilled, or in a hot pot.

The Luxurious Taste of Yasu's Omi Beef

Omi beef is characterized by its fine texture and sweet, melt-in-your-mouth fat. At our restaurant, we carefully grill selected Omi beef over the robata to bring out its natural umami to the fullest. Char-grilled Omi beef is fragrant on the outside and juicy on the inside. It pairs exceptionally well with sake; a fragrant junmai ginjo or a full-bodied junmai will further enhance the umami of the beef.

The Robatayaki Style of Izakaya Kitano

Part of the appeal of our robatayaki is the live experience of having ingredients grilled right before your eyes. Please enjoy with all five senses the crackling charcoal, the rising fragrant smoke, and the sight of ingredients transforming deliciously in the vibrant flames. Our skilled chefs assess the unique character of each ingredient and grill it to perfection. Savor the moment when fresh treasures from the sea and mountains are reborn, made even more delicious by the magic of the flame.

Special Banquets in Yasu: Creating the Ideal Moment with Private Bookings and Smoking-Allowed Seating

I want to make a party with dear friends a memorable one. I'm looking for a place where a large group can have fun without any worries. To meet these needs, we offer services that can accommodate a variety of requests.

Our Extensive Yasu Banquet Courses

Conveniently located as a drinking spot near Yasu Station, we offer banquet courses in Yasu packed with seasonal ingredients. You can choose from a variety of plans to suit your preferences and the occasion. Our course menus are designed with sake pairings in mind, so party organizers can relax and enjoy the meal and conversation without any hassle.

We flexibly accommodate budgets and allergies, so please feel free to consult with us as your go-to izakaya for party planning in Yasu. We will support you in making smooth preparations from reservation to the day of the event.

1. When making a reservation, please let us know the number of people, date and time, budget, and your desired course or if you'd like an all-you-can-drink option.
2. We will provide you with detailed information about our seasonal recommended dishes and sake lineup.
3. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please inform us in advance, and we will do our best to accommodate them individually.
4. We are flexible and can discuss specific requests such as private bookings, surprise arrangements, and seating layouts.

Using Our Izakaya for Private Bookings in Yasu

For large parties or for meals in a private space, you can also book our entire izakaya in Yasu. It is perfect for various occasions such as company welcome and farewell parties, reunions, wrap parties, and special family anniversaries. By booking privately, you can enjoy a more fulfilling time without worrying about other customers. We will propose the optimal plan according to your desired number of people and timing.

Consideration as a Smoking-Allowed Izakaya in Yasu

As a smoking-allowed izakaya in Yasu, we provide a comfortable space for our smoking customers. We also take care with our layout and ventilation so that non-smoking customers can also feel at ease, striving to create an environment where everyone can have a pleasant time. We aim to be an izakaya where each and every customer can enjoy themselves to the fullest in their own style.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Izakaya Experience in Yasu

Here are a few practical tips to help you have the best possible izakaya experience in Yasu.

Enjoy a Conversation with Our Staff

• Our staff is knowledgeable about Yasu's sake and seasonal ingredients.
• Feel free to ask us anything, telling us your mood and preferences, such as What sake do you recommend today? or What's the best way to eat this fish?
• We look forward to providing a more personal experience through conversation with you. You might just discover an unexpected recommendation.

Have the Courage to Try a New Sake

• Trying a type of sake you don't usually drink or a rare, seasonal brand is one of the great pleasures of an izakaya.
• Vague requests are perfectly fine, such as Something a little sweet and fruity or Something crisp, dry, and perfect for pairing with a meal.
• An unexpected encounter might just broaden your world of sake. Please come and experience the diverse sake of Yasu.

Check the Seasonal Menu

• Before you visit, or as soon as you are seated, please check the Today's Specials menu.
• Dishes using fresh fish from the port and seasonal vegetables are often offered as daily specials, a truly once-in-a-lifetime taste.
• Please also try pairing them with our seasonal sakes. You'll find a perfect harmony that can only be enjoyed during that specific time of year.

Conclusion: A Memorable Izakaya Experience Savoring the Seasons of Yasu

As a drinking spot near Yasu Station and the new face of Izakaya Kitano, we hope to provide our customers with an unforgettable time through Yasu's sake and seasonal delicacies.

Our skilled chefs carefully grill the blessings of Shiga, such as fresh fish direct from the port and Yasu's Omi beef, over a robata grill and serve them alongside seasonal sake. Please fully enjoy the harmony created by the natural umami of the ingredients, brought out by slow grilling over charcoal, and the delicate aroma of the sake.

We are prepared to meet your various needs, whether for banquets, private bookings, or as a smoking-allowed izakaya in Yasu. We also have extensive banquet courses in Yasu that party organizers can rely on, so please do not hesitate to consult with us.

Here in Yasu, experience the changing of the seasons on your palate and enjoy sake and seasonal cuisine to your heart's content. We sincerely look forward to your visit.