Best Yakitori in Shinjuku (Omoide Yokocho): 6 Shops Worth Trying
Omoide Yokocho (“Memory Lane”), just outside Shinjuku Station’s West Exit, is a narrow, atmospheric alley of tiny post-war yakitori and motsuyaki (grilled offal) counters. This guide covers six shops chosen for a mix of payment flexibility, welcoming atmosphere, and late-night hours, all within about two minutes’ walk of each other.
Quick answer
Omoide Yokocho (“Memory Lane”) is a narrow alley of tiny yakitori and motsuyaki (offal) counters by Shinjuku Station’s West Exit. Most shops are cash only — Yasubee (credit cards) and Horaiya (QR payment) are the main exceptions. For a late-night bite, Kappetei stays open until 4 AM. First-time visitors or solo diners often find Tatsunoya or Sasamoto especially easy to walk into.
Each shop below links to a full profile page with practical details such as hours, payment methods, and access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these shops accept credit cards?
Most shops in Omoide Yokocho are cash only. Yasubee is a notable exception that accepts credit cards, debit cards, and UnionPay, and Horaiya accepts QR code payments in addition to cash.
How much does a meal cost in Omoide Yokocho?
Expect roughly 2,000-3,000 yen per person for skewers and drinks at a typical counter, though this varies by how much you order.
Is Omoide Yokocho okay for solo travelers or women dining alone?
Yes. Several shops, including Tatsunoya, are specifically described by the alley's own association as welcoming to first-time visitors and women dining alone.
What time should I go to avoid the crowds?
Shops generally open in the mid-afternoon to early evening (15:00-18:00) and get busiest after 19:00 as office workers finish for the day. Arriving right at opening is the quietest option; Kappetei, open until 4 AM, is an alternative for a late, quieter visit.
None of the write-ups above are based on a personal visit; details are drawn from the Shinjuku Nishiguchi Omoide Yokocho official association website and Google's public place data, and left blank where information could not be verified. Most shops in this alley are cash only, so bring yen unless a specific shop is noted otherwise.
Open since 1940 and billed as the alley's only large privately-owned restaurant; one of the few shops here that takes credit cards.
A small, 16-seat motsuyaki and yakitori counter open every single day of the year; cash only.
Billed as "the first offal restaurant in Yokocho" (since 1947); oak-charcoal skewers, and one of the few shops that accepts QR code payment.
Grills Tottori-prefecture chicken over oak charcoal and stays open until 4 AM -- useful for a very late dinner.
A cosy bar the alley's own association describes as welcoming to first-time visitors and women dining alone.
Known for strict attention to charcoal, salt, and cooking degree on every skewer; also serves oysters and oden. Seats up to 50.
