I went out with a friend to a place in Yokohama called Noge.

It looks roughly like this…

It was absolutely packed. Honestly, it seemed busier than Shimbashi on a Friday night.

It’s big, too.

And there’s a real variety of places.

A proper nightlife district…

Who knew a place like this existed in Yokohama…

Our first stop was a Greek restaurant called Sparta.

Sparta… and it’s Greek, huh.

Beer

Well… it was pretty ordinary…

Calamari with garlic

Great with beer. Noge has all kinds of bars, Korean restaurants included.

Yokohama Landmark Tower in the background…

It’s close to central Yokohama.

A Noge street scene

The kind of atmosphere where the drinks just keep going down. If I try to think of somewhere like this in Korea, maybe the streets around Manseon Hof in Seoul… nothing else really comes to mind.

Our second stop was a seafood izakaya on the main street.

I’ve forgotten the name… nothing spectacular on the menu, just standard izakaya fare.

Highball

It comes in an enormous mug.

Sashimi platter

Good price, good freshness, perfect for a drink.

Noge’s famous yakisoba shop, Noge Yakisoba Center Maruki

This place is famous for its yakisoba, but the line was so long we gave up in the end. Next time, maybe.

Noge Cabaret

Places like this too…

And scenes like this…

Where do all these people come from to drink… I always thought Shimbashi was crowded, but this blows it away.

Overflowing champagne at the oyster bar

We went into an oyster bar my friend recommended and ordered a glass, and they fill it right to the brim and over. Love it.

Fried oysters

Delicious, even though it’s summer.

Steamed oysters

Raw oysters apparently only come out in winter, and these were on the small side, but the flavor was packed in. They say they’re even better in winter, so I made a note to come back then.

Noge in Yokohama is, without exaggeration, a drinker’s paradise, packed with delicious and fun places. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.

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