Sakuragicho Walking Guide — Nine Doorways in the Noge Alleys

Around Sakuragicho Station there are nine walking spots, ranging from a restaurant that opened in 1931 to a bar where a jukebox built in 1965 is still running. All nine sit in Noge-cho 1-3-chome and Sakuragicho 1-chome in Naka-ku, Yokohama, so following the street numbers alone gives you a single connected walk. This is a neighbourhood where you pass through more doorways than you cover distance.

A suggested order: warm up at [Wine Shop Mu](/en/spot/dd96daf6-83a6-4e2c-937d-f5e52c5333e6), which pours while it is still light out, then head to [Sakagura Ishimatsu](/en/spot/9b9647d3-3511-4970-9db5-e58337e63120) by the station. Catch [Yakitori Kokkodo](/en/spot/b313ef6c-e0dd-42bd-81f2-d33cbeedc28b) early, work through 1-chome via [Toriyoshi](/en/spot/a6961cb4-82bc-4481-b069-74be6774b4e7) and [Kanai Shoten](/en/spot/af49f5f7-f06b-4418-91cb-f8a3ffc05646), and settle in at [Fukuya](/en/spot/0c8a2219-8810-4622-baf2-167616e25542) in 2-chome. Finish through 3-chome at [Noge Umineko](/en/spot/9f936a18-5b74-4339-b749-7172401cf17c) and [Borderline](/en/spot/02388f5d-8b33-466b-a142-9c2b9a7b4c9b), with a last stop at [Sanso](/en/spot/a461d4d2-6295-4214-9cb5-2aa1abaca4b3).

Wine Shop Mu

Noge-cho 3-133-1. A place where you can drink wine from the bright hours of the day, paired with a spicy plate. Somewhere that pours while the sun is still up makes an easy starting point for a walk.

Sakagura Ishimatsu

A basement drinking spot at Sakuragicho 1-1, Bio City 82. It has long been known as the gateway to Noge. Its specialities are premium chopped tuna and chutoro brought in every morning from the central wholesale market, so your first plate is only steps from the station.

Yakitori Kokkodo

A yakitori shop at Noge-cho 1-1. It closes once the food sells out, so an early visit is the smart move. Stop by while you are still hungry.

Toriyoshi

Founded in 1959 and counted among the oldest in Noge. The young master who took the place over eight years ago keeps the tare and recipes handed down from his predecessor while adapting them to the times. Reservations are not accepted, so you simply have to walk up. Noge-cho 1-24.

Kanai Shoten

Noge-cho 1-15. There is no sign — a round bulb and a dark navy noren curtain are the only markers. Dishes such as fried zucchini flowers and shrimp bisque are all plated in single servings, which makes it easy to drop in mid-crawl.

Fukuya

A long-established restaurant that opened in 1931. Its signature dojo loach and hire-zake, served alight, are the draw. The taste is kept by the fourth-generation owner, making this the spot with the deepest history on the walk. Noge-cho 2-97.

Noge Umineko

Noge-cho 3-122. A drinking spot known for its assorted sashimi platter, with an interior inherited from the old-established bar Wabisuke. Both the food and the room carry something forward from an earlier era.

Borderline

A Noge bar founded in 2005. It generally hosts live music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and a jukebox made in 1965 is still in working order. Aim for a weekend if you want the night with sound in it. Noge-cho 3-142.

Sanso

Noge-cho 2-64. A bar known for its gin-based Sanso cocktail, with a jukebox at three songs for 200 yen. The house-made pizza is popular as a closer, which makes this a natural final stop.

One last tip. None of the nine spots has budget data registered, so check prices at the shops themselves. The only figure recorded in the data is Sanso's jukebox at three songs for 200 yen. Build your timing around reservation-free Toriyoshi and sell-out-and-close Kokkodo, and these nine narrow-alley doorways fall into place without wasted steps.