Your Guide to Chochin Yokocho: Enjoy Yamanashi Nightlife
Just a 1-minute walk from the south exit of Kofu Station, you will find a lively drinking street where you can enjoy Yamanashi sake and local cuisine.
Unique restaurants line this short 50m alley, with every establishment serving dishes made from Yamanashi ingredients and local sake. This is the perfect spot for a night out during your Kofu trip.
This article introduces the charm of Chochin Yokocho and the distinctive features of each restaurant.
Kofu Station Chochin Yokocho
Located in Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Chochin Yokocho sits on Kofu Ekimae Ginza Minami-dori, about a 1-minute walk from the south exit of Kofu Station. This compact 50m drinking street is managed by the Chochin Yokocho Kyoeikai association and features approximately 12 restaurants.
Address: 2-2-6 Marunouchi, Kofu City, Yamanashi Prefecture, Kofu Ekimae Ginza Minami-dori
Kofu Ekimae Chochin Yokocho - Official WebsiteLanterns Light Up the Kofu Entertainment District at Night
As its name suggests, Chochin Yokocho is characterized by colorful lanterns lining both sides of the alley. Each restaurant displays a uniformly designed red lantern, and when night falls, these glowing lanterns create a magical atmosphere.
Perfect for Travelers: Local Sake and Regional Menus
Chochin Yokocho offers a diverse range of establishments including izakayas and bars. You can choose from restaurants serving dishes made with local ingredients like Koshu chicken and Shingen chicken, or places with extensive drink selections.
Beyond being a gathering of izakayas and bars, each restaurant showcases its strengths by offering menus featuring Yamanashi-grown ingredients, local cuisine, and regional sake. This makes the area particularly appealing to travelers.
12 Unique Establishments
Every restaurant in Chochin Yokocho has its own distinctive character and specialty.
| Restaurant Name | Features |
|---|---|
| Shusai Goshiki | Japanese izakaya specializing in local and Japanese sake |
| Shunsai Soba Kasafuji | Third - generation soba restaurant serving Yamanashi vegetables and local cuisine |
| Torisoba Akari | Ramen shop and izakaya featuring Koshu chicken ramen |
| Rock & Soul Bar Fillmore | Music bar featuring 70s and 80s hits |
| Monojiya Kofu Ekimae | Creative cuisine izakaya with Yamanashi wines |
| Nanopan Dining Bar | Dining bar focused on beauty and health |
| Izakaya Maruwa | Seasonal daily specials with Japanese sake and shochu |
| Rinkuru Cafe | Anime song karaoke cafe and bar |
| Nondekeshi | Seafood and oden by a skilled Japanese cuisine chef |
| Chinese Restaurant Kawakubo | Creative Chinese cuisine, reservation only |
| Fish and Meat Restaurant MITSUKI | Creative cuisine bar |
| Sato - san Chi | Koshu izakaya with homegrown organic vegetables and local sake |
*Business hours and closing days may change. Please confirm with each restaurant before visiting.
Authentic Japanese Cuisine at Nondekeshi
Nondekeshi is an izakaya run by a skilled Japanese cuisine chef who trained at renowned restaurants in Ginza and Akasaka.
The interior features a warm, calming atmosphere with wooden accents. Counter seating is the main feature, with one table for two also available.
The menu offers an abundance of authentic Japanese dishes made with fresh fish and seasonal ingredients personally selected by the owner. The oden is particularly noteworthy, with rich bonito and kelp broth deeply infused into each ingredient.
The appetizer that day was sliced octopus, incredibly tender and juicy. It was so flavorful that soy sauce was almost unnecessary. The chef has remarkable skill in bringing out the natural flavors of ingredients.
The restaurant also offers an excellent selection of local sake and shochu.
While you can enjoy Yamanashi local sake like Taikan and Shichiken, the recommended drink is the Yamanashi Honki no Yuzu Sour.
Large yuzu citrus fruits are packed into the glass with generous abundance.
This drink truly conveys the passion and dedication of the chef.
With its rich yuzu aroma and flavor, yet refreshing and easy to drink, this is a highly recommended beverage.
This izakaya is run by a chef who honed his Japanese cuisine skills at prestigious restaurants in Ginza and Akasaka. Enjoy luxurious flavors including the freshest seafood personally selected by the owner, delicious appetizers, and seasonal oden.
Beauty and Wellness at Nanopan Dining Bar
Nanopan Dining Bar is a stylish establishment themed around beauty and health.
The interior has a natural atmosphere with warm wooden accents. With both counter and table seating, it is suitable for various occasions from solo dining to group gatherings.
The menu features an array of healthy and delicious dishes created by an owner with knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and medicinal cuisine. The medicinal curry is particularly popular among women, made with ingredients beneficial for beauty and health.
The counter displays an appetizing array of obanzai (Kyoto-style home cooking).
Every dish has gentle flavors that nourish your body.
The recommended dish is the Koshu Wine Beef Hamburg Steak.
(The hamburg steak in the photo was specially made smaller. Regular servings are larger.)
Koshu Wine Beef is a Yamanashi specialty produced by feeding a crossbreed of Japanese Black cattle and Holstein with feed containing grape pomace left over from wine pressing.
The Koshu Wine Beef hamburg steak is smooth, sweet, and has high-quality fat that will have you hooked after just one bite.
Pair it with Yamanashi red wine for a perfect culinary marriage.
Nanopan Dining Bar is recommended for those who want to enjoy food and drinks in a stylish atmosphere while being mindful of beauty and health.
A Retro Drinking District That Colors Kofu Nights
Chochin Yokocho is an entertainment district conveniently located just a 1-minute walk from Kofu Station, featuring a collection of unique restaurants.
Each establishment offers menus made with Yamanashi-grown ingredients, local cuisine, regional sake, and wine, making it an excellent destination for those wanting to taste Yamanashi flavors.
At every restaurant, the owners are warm and welcoming, making it enjoyable even for solo visitors.
Chochin Yokocho is a must-visit spot for dinner during your Kofu trip. If you want to fully enjoy Kofu nightlife, be sure to stop by.
