Hotateya is our first izakaya spot and is about a 3 to 4-minute walk away from Ikebukuro Station's north exit. There are quite a lot of all-around-the-clock pubs and izakaya in this area, but Hotateya is our favorite among all of them - mainly because it is so wonderfully traditional.
Sit at the long counter or relax at one of the izakaya's many tables and enjoy the nostalgic, cozy atmosphere.
The menu boasts a large variety of drinks and dishes, with a strong focus on classic izakaya cuisine. Not only the atmosphere of Hotateya is nostalgic, though, so are the prices. The majority of snacks are priced around 300 yen, which is a very reasonable deal! We enjoyed the healthy, chilled tomato for 350 yen, the day of the dish fuki-miso for 350 yen, and ark shell for 580 yen. Starting with Urakasumi sake for 555 yen, Hotateya also has an extensive selection of Japanese sake to accompany the delicious dishes.

Wakadaisho Matsushima is an izakaya that is loved not only for its 24-hour service but also for the fact that all menu items, both food and drinks, can be enjoyed for 335 yen! Despite the low price, the volume of drinks and food is astonishing. We ordered chuhai, a mixed drink of shochu and soda, and it arrived in a tankard. Our snack decision was fried horse mackerel and squid - it was freshly fried and extremely delicious, served with plenty of vegetables! It's hard to believe that this tasty snack can be had for 335 yen.
Our warmest recommendation is the special hodgepodge, however. The soup's base is bonito and salt but is flavored with plenty of garlic. Juicy offal is added to the soup, but contrary to what you might imagine, the soup doesn't have that strong smell that usually comes with offal.
A "quick price table" hangs on the wall, allowing you to keep convenient track of your bill as you order food and drinks.
Wakadaisho Matsushima is the place to go to satisfy your cravings for fresh, amazing food. Once you start snacking and drinking, you might just find yourself wondering at some point: "Wait, what time is it?!"

Izakaya Daitokai is synonymous with 24-hour pub for regulars of the Ikebukuro area. It can be found on the basement floor of Hotel Sun City, so it is right across Ikebukuro Station's north exit. From locals to tourists, people from all walks of life can be seen enjoying a drink or two all around the clock at Daitokai.
Ordering works via a ticket system. A vide variety of beer and wine is available to quench your thirst and attractive deals and sets such as two draft beer tickets make feasting at Daitokai even more fun and affordable. Between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., one draft beer only costs an astounding 150 yen, while plain chuhai can be enjoyed for 120 yen.
As for food, prices start at 100 yen for small bowls. We highly recommend the fried potatoes for 250 yen, which are amazingly crispy and will fit your drink of choice just perfectly!
Daitokai is famous for its soba noodles, available for 200 yen. Why not enjoy a chuhai along with them and have a great meal and a nice drink for a mere 320 yen? Stop by at all times to experience the pub culture of Ikebukuro!

Writer: paricco