9 Izakaya Near Shinagawa Station’s Konan Exit Where You Can Smoke at Your Seat
An after-work drink, a quick stop before meeting friends, or a meal in a private room: these are the places I use around Shinagawa’s Konan Exit when I want good food and a cigarette at the table.
I go out drinking around 300 nights a year and have chosen these from places I’ve used myself. The comments on food, atmosphere and service reflect my own visits.
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Quick reloads are counted together.
For an evening of good food and a cigarette around Shinagawa’s Konan Exit.
About smoking:Smoking arrangements can vary by seating area or time of day and may change. If you need a table where cigarettes are allowed, confirm the current conditions before booking or visiting.
MY RECOMMENDATIONS
I want more than somewhere that happens to allow smoking.
Smoking at the table is the starting point. Beyond that, I’ve focused on places with food I want to eat again.
01SMOKING / SHINAGAWA
Ajidokoro Yu
Cigarettes allowed at the table
Lively, casual izakaya near the Konan Exit
Ajidokoro Yu. Photo supplied.
For nights when good food and energy matter more than quiet.
First is Ajidokoro Yu. Put simply, the food is good. The room is small and can get very lively, so I wouldn’t choose it for a quiet business dinner. But for an unpretentious after-work drink in Shinagawa, I rather like that close-quarters atmosphere.
I’m willing to put good food ahead of a cramped room or a bit of noise, so Yu stays on my shortlist. On a night when I want an energetic izakaya rather than a quiet dining room, it fits the mood.
When I use this placeAn informal drink with the food at the center. Best for everyday after-work visits rather than a quiet client dinner.
Smoking detailsI’ve used this restaurant while smoking cigarettes at the table. Rules can change; confirm before visiting.
Address
3F, Tanida Kikaku Building, 2-2-16 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Takoyaki, street-level seating & a quick first stop
Odako Sakaba in Shinagawa. Photo supplied.
Before the main evening or for one last drink: the takoyaki makes the case.
At one point, I was going to Odako Sakaba four times a week. For my money, its takoyaki beats any I’ve had in Osaka. The octopus-filled batter balls are fragrant and lightly crisp outside, piping hot inside. Whenever I’m in Shinagawa, I’m tempted to drop in.
It’s at street level, right near the station. If I arrive early to meet people, it makes an easy stop for a drink before the main gathering. It works for another round afterward too. I can walk in without making a big occasion of it, and there’s something I actively want to eat. That’s why I kept coming back.
When I use this placeTakoyaki first. Keep it light before another dinner, or order more if this is your second stop.
Smoking detailsI’ve smoked cigarettes at the table here. Check the restaurant’s current rules before visiting.
Address
1F, Shinagawa Ekimae Konan Building, 2-14-10 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Charcoal yakitori, close to the station & handy in the rain
Gin no Rikyu in Shinagawa. Photo supplied.
Close to the station, with an easy approach on a rainy day.
Gin no Rikyu is very close to the station. Its position connects with the pedestrian bridge from the station side, making it easier to stay out of the rain. When I’m arranging an after-work meeting in bad weather, that convenience counts for a lot.
I appreciate that it allows cigarettes as well as heated tobacco. The yakitori is cooked over charcoal and has the grilled aroma I want with a drink. I choose it for the food too, not only the location.
When I use this placeMake charcoal-grilled yakitori the focus. The station access is useful when meeting in wet weather.
Smoking detailsBoth cigarettes and heated tobacco were permitted on my visit. Confirm the current seating arrangements when booking.
Address
3F, Shinagawa Ekimae Konan Building, 2-14-10 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
As its name suggests, Hamayaki Sakaba Ichikawa specializes in hamayaki, seafood grilled at the table. Cooking something in front of me adds a little enjoyment that a finished plate simply arriving doesn’t quite provide.
Grill some seafood, have a drink, put the next piece on. It suits evenings when I want to enjoy a casual izakaya without overthinking anything. I keep it in mind when I want fish and a cigarette around Shinagawa.
When I use this placeCenter the meal on tabletop-grilled seafood, with a drink while it cooks.
Smoking detailsI’ve smoked cigarettes at the table here. Ask the restaurant about its current smoking areas.
Designated smoking seating, a spacious interior & group meals
Gin no Tsuki in Shinagawa. Photo supplied.
A broad menu, plenty of space and smoking seats. An easy place to use.
There’s a wide range of food here, and it’s consistently good. The restaurant is spacious, with enough room around the seats to feel comfortable. I use it for more important gatherings as well as ordinary drinks. My first visit was for a dinner with company directors.
I also appreciate the designated smoking seating. Ten of our thirteen directors are heavy smokers; we average around three packs a day, so somewhere like this is particularly useful for our group. At a large gathering, it makes a difference when people don’t need to keep leaving the table.
When I use this placeFor a larger group, discuss the seating first. The broad menu helps when people want different things.
Smoking detailsI used the designated smoking seating. When booking, specify that you need seats where cigarettes are allowed.
Address
5F, 2-6-7 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours
12:00–24:00
My take
A useful discovery at a company directors’ dinner.
A straightforward option when smoking at the table matters.
Masukame is worth remembering for nights in Shinagawa when being able to smoke cigarettes at the table is a priority. I like being able to relax with a smoke in a familiar izakaya atmosphere.
So many restaurants now require a trip to a smoking area that being able to stay with my drink is a reason to consider it. I use this as a straightforward drinking spot rather than a dressed-up night out.
When I use this placeKeep it casual. Confirm a cigarette-smoking seat before settling in.
Smoking detailsI’ve smoked cigarettes at my seat here. Ask the restaurant for its current rules.
Address
2F, Iwatani Building, 2-2-9 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours
Mon–Fri 4:30–11:30 pm; Sat 4–11:30 pm; closed Sundays & holidays
Koen has large windows, and I like drinking with a view of Shinagawa at night. Being able to enjoy a cigarette at the table while looking out at the lights gives the evening a different feel from my usual neighborhood bars.
Sashimi is my favorite here. I like its firm, springy texture, so I start with fish. The food holds up alongside the view; smoking isn’t the only reason I choose the place.
When I use this placeStart with sashimi, then move on to grilled dishes. Take your time with the night view.
Smoking detailsI’ve smoked cigarettes at the table here. Confirm which seats allow smoking before visiting.
Address
9F, Kyowa Building, 2-2-14 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
A newer restaurant, near the station, with good service
Robatayaki Nagi. Photo supplied.
A newer option with very good service and access.
Robatayaki Nagi is a relatively recent arrival, and its location is convenient. Food-wise, though, it falls well short of the other places in this article.
The service, on the other hand, was good. The newer interior is clean and welcoming. I wouldn’t place it high on food alone, but I’ve included it as somewhere close to the station where I had a pleasant time.
When I use this placeFor a night when proximity to the station matters. Order a few grilled dishes with your drink and cigarette.
Smoking detailsI’ve smoked cigarettes at the table here. Confirm the latest smoking arrangements with the restaurant.
A relaxed private room and sashimi that really stands out.
Hanakoma has private rooms where I can settle in comfortably. What I especially like is the sashimi. It’s excellent, and when I asked the owner, I was told the fish comes from Toyosu Market. It naturally comes to mind when I want seafood.
In my experience, Mondays and Tuesdays are often relatively quiet. Being able to share sashimi and smoke in a private room also makes it useful when I want to talk without feeling surrounded by other tables.
When I use this placeSashimi first. Consider Monday or Tuesday if you want a quieter visit.
Smoking detailsBased on my use of a private room and smoking seating. Confirm that cigarettes are allowed in your room when booking.
Address
4F, Renaissance 2 Building, 2-4-18 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Hours
12:00–24:00
My take
Excellent sashimi. Mondays and Tuesdays can be quieter.
The Konan side works for quick stops and private-room dinners alike.
Shinagawa hosts plenty of business meals, but the Konan side has both street-level izakaya and restaurants with private rooms. If several people in your group smoke, checking whether cigarettes are allowed at the table makes planning much easier.
Before settling on a restaurant, ask whether it has seats where cigarettes are allowed.
Opening and restaurant photos supplied. The text centers on my own visits and opinions.
About the authorAUTHOR PROFILE
Owada
I live in Tokyo’s Minato ward. Drinking, discovering good food and playing golf are my favorite ways to spend my time. I average under 90 on the golf course. Here I introduce restaurants I’ve personally visited and want to recommend.
These selections and comments reflect my own experience. Food, service and crowd levels describe my visits. Smoking conditions, hours, prices and menus may change. Confirm cigarettes are allowed at your particular seat before visiting.
