Food and Drink in Tsu

Supermarkets

• MaxValu

  A full size grocery store that generally has the lowest prices. Some MaxValu stores have much better selections than others. MaxValu tends to be the cheapest place to buy alcohol, and, if you get a point card, you receive five times the normal amount of points on the 20th and 30th of the month. Prepared foods are marked 50% off (a sticker with 半額 printed) at 10 PM. Locations in Tsu include

  • MaxValu North, open 24 hours

    Located near Book Kingdom and the Mie Cultural Center, north of Tsu Station. This is one of the better MaxValus. Also, be sure to order pizza from the cafeteria near the entrance.

  • MaxValu Minato-chō, open 24 hours

    Located near the fishing harbor and speed boat station at the end of Phoenix Street.

  • MaxValu Tsuoki - Open 24 hours

    Located directly east of Akogi Station, next to Kyōnan JHS on Route 114.

• Maruyasu

  Next to Italiano's on Yamanote Street (and also elsewhere in Tsu), this shop has a good foreign food selection, but a sporadic, changing stock. Their stock includes organically-grown vegetables, Celestial Seasonings herbal tea, and even mango chutney. Their spice and imported cheese selections are great. You can also get your fix of authentic-if-pricey Western chocolate and cookies, imported from Britain, the U.S., Switzerland, France, Germany, Belgium, and other delicious places.

• Center Palace

  On Route 23, across from the Central Post Office has a small Maruyasu on the ground floor. Good selection of foreign foods, quite pricey. There is also a 100 yen shop around the back of the building.

• A-Coop

  Is a farmers cooperative (JA) with the best produce in town. Located near Tsu I.C. and Seiko JHS.

• Yamanaka

  In Arte (see Shopping). Quite large compared to most supermarkets in Mie and has excellent pre-made food.

• Pro Market

  A wholesale/imported foods store. Stocks many foreign items you may not find anywhere else. Almost everything is available in bulk(especially spices). Their freezer section is great for bbqs, and their meat is cheap. Don't miss the frozen flour tortillas is the back corner. Located across the street from Yacht Harbor. map

• YamaYa

  A large liquor store (including a large stock of wine) that has a large selection of imported foods. Tends to be expensive(though spices are very reasonable), and inventory is frustratingly inconsistent. Located on 776 near Hisai Station.

• Pandool

  On Phoenix, next to the Tsu Central Post Office. Great baguettes for ¥200.

Local Restaurants

Japanese

• Pure Na

  An all you can eat Japanese Food restaurant behind Bronco Billy on Route 23. Same owners as Yellow Potato. About 1500yen/2100yen lunch/dinner, but includes beverages and ice cream. You will stay there for hours and be satisfied! If you can find Bronco Billy (ブロンコビリー 津三重大前店 〒514-0102 三重県津市栗真町屋町東浜1702 059-236-5665 bronco.co.jp ), you can find Pure Na. Definitely open as of Sept. 2012.

• Maruyoshi

  An excellent yaki niku (bbq beef) restaurant. Have a good time cooking your own food over a grill. Not too expensive if you go in a big group. Good deals on beer. Just around the corner (to the left) from Tsu Station on Route 23. It's the small white building directly across from the Family Mart.

• Tempura Sakamoto (天ぷらさか本)

  Tempura restaurant conveniently located in front of Tsu Shinmachi station. Owners are quite friendly and appreciate business from foreigners. The banzai lunch is a wonderful assortment of quality dishes for a reasonable 1050 yen. Going on a trip to Akame or Gozaisho, they make an awesome Ebi Tenmaki or Anago Tenmaki that travels well for about 850 yen. They serve many seasonal items, shioyaki, and sashimi as well. For cheaper fare, they also own the udon shop next door. (Tell them you know Erik and they'll get excited.) Of course their tempura is good, but they also have good sashimi and grilled fish and... Definitely open as of Sept. 2012.

• Kin Nabe

  Run by a former sumo wrestler and specializes in chanko nabe (what sumo wrestlers eat; ground chicken in broth with loads of noodles and veggies. Their nabe is great. It is located just East of Shinmachi station.

• Pelican Ramen (map)

  Great ramen. Specialty is "Oishi Ramen"(salt). Karaage is huge and delicious. Generally requires a short wait. Located on east side of 23, north of Akogi Station. Look for large ramen billboard.

• Banya

  A yakitori (chicken & fried foods) joint. Cheap and tasty! Turn right out of the East Tsu Station Exit and walk straight ahead. It's the second restaurant on the left, just past a small ramen shop.

• Konnamura (こんな村)

  a large izakaya that serves extra-large portions of most of their menu. Resonable prices(most are three-coin). Specialty is karaage chicken. One order of french fries could feed a family. Located on Shinmachi Street across from the Yamanaka market. Look for the big fake fire on a pedestal.

• Moku Moku Farms Buffet Restaurant

  Fresh organic stuff. Buffet-style with a huge selection. Located next to the Mie Center for the Arts where the mid-year seminar is held. Definitely open as of Sept. 2012.

• Shokudouen - Yakiniku

  Excellent lunch menu for a reasonable price (the sets are under 1,000 yen for lunch time yakiniku-ing!) and in the evening has a good selection of Matsusaka beef yakiniku. Can get pricey in the evening, around 3,000 yen per person would be the average if you are careful about what you are ordering. Also has a selection of Korean food like bibinbap etc. on the menu.

Western/ Fusion

• Aoki's Pizza

  Pretty close to the real thing and takeout only. Pizza in Japan is expensive. Except to pay about 3,000 yen for a regular size (large). You should get coupons in your mail. The physical store is at the juncture of Rt 10 and Rt 23, south of Tsu Station. (アオキーズピザ津店 514-0004 三重県津市栄町2丁目4 059-229-7007 aokispizza.co.jp‎ ) Definitely open as of Sept. 2012.

• Italiano's Restaurant

  From Tsu Station's west exit, head straight. Take a left at the first traffic light/Circle K and walk for about 15 minutes to the fourth traffic light (next to Maruyasu). You'll see it on the left. The portions are large and delicious! Definitely open as of Sept. 2012.

• Kamayan

  A full bar and restaurant which is spacious and has free internet access. Exit Edobashi station, go through the bike parking lot on your left, and turn right into the alley. About 5m down, you'll find the back of Kamayan to your left. Walk through the little parking lot, the front door is to your left. The bar holds a fun Halloween party every year. (日本三重県津市上浜町３丁目 ＫＡＭＡＹＡＮ 059-225-9850) Definitely open as of Sept. 2012.

• Tayu-tau

  A cafe/restaurant/ art space about 10 minutes' walk south of Tsu Station, on the west side of Rte 23 and just north of the shady Shitennoji Temple complex (a block or so north of the Annougawa River). A large, friendly, relaxed space with a chill ambience, plenty of art books scattered around for your reading pleasure, and a modest but very tasty selection of coffee, teas, desserts, home-baked goods, and food. Really a nice place to while away an afternoon. There's a cute stationery/ kids'-goods store on the floor above it, reach by walking around the building to the outdoor staircase. Open from 12 PM, last order at 19:30 PM (16:30 PM Sundays). Closed Thursdays. (喫茶ｔａｙｕ−ｔａｕ 1-888 Sakaemachi Tsu, Mie Prefecture 514-0004‎ 059-213-1086 http://tayu-tau.jp/) Updated Feb. 2013

• Starbucks （スターバックスコーヒー ベイスクエア津店　〒514-0815 Mie Prefecture, Tsu, Fujikata, ７１６ 059-213-7237 starbucks.co.jp )

  It's Starbucks. Expect it to be weirdly full all day on weekends, since it's a place for both romantic dates and coffee dates with the girls. At night it's mostly tired salarymen and studying students (both groups quietly desperate, but, unlike in the U.S., always tidy and well-groomed). Have a sakura latte or hot croque-madame along with your people-watching. Starbucks is in the parking lot of the Bay Square shopping block -- which also has a Uniqlo, if you need to buy bigger clothing after imbibing your Western-via-South-America-or-Africa caramel macchiato. You can get here by car or bike, or by taking the bus that plies Route 23 -- you can catch it in front of Tsu Station.

• EL SOL (EL－SOL 津駅前店 〒514-0009 三重県津市羽所町352 059-246-5544 )

  An upscale-ish Spanish restaurant in the bustling entertainment area near the station, 3 minutes' walk from Tsu Station's east entrance. Open for dinner from 5 PM. There's a large assortment of Spanish-style tapas and mains (including paella, tomato-cooked octopus, spinach omelet-tortilla, etc.) and of cocktails, as well as a few non-alocholic ones. The bar downstairs is open till 2. Tasty and kinda classy. Try the fig-almond-bacon appetizer. Updated Feb. 2013

• Pisolino Buffet (ピソリーノ津店 ８７−１ Tarumi, Tsu, Mie Prefecture 514-0821 059-228-5000 http://tsk-pisolino.com/shop/index.html )

  A chain with shops in Aichi and Mie, this may be your best option for pizza tabehoudai (all-you-can-eat) since the Suzuka Pizza Hut closed. For about 1.400 / 1.700 yen lunch/ dinner, you get all-you-can-eat access to Pisolino's Japanese- and Italian- style viking buffet, drink bar, and small but serviceable ice cream/ dessert bar, _plus_ the main attraction -- all-you-can-eat ordering from its pizza and pasta menus. The pizzas are good, so come hungry. (The margarita, Genovese (pesto), and spinach-and-cream pizzas are recommended.)

Access: The Tsu Pisolino is a short way off Route 23, a little bit south of Kyonan Junior High School. If it's not convenient to get there by car or bike (parking is available so), then it's a ten-minute walk from Akogi station. Go right (southeast) out of the station until you get to busy Route 23. Then turn right (south) and walk down about 6 minutes, crossing to the other (east) side of the road when you get a chance. When you get to the big four-way X-intersection with Route 114, hook a tight left and turn back north up 114. You'll see Pisolino almost immediately, on your right.

You can also get here by catching the bus south from Tsu Station. At night, don't forget to check the timetable for your last bus home.

• Ain's Cafe

  An Italian Restaurant located in SATY. Good pizzas and sandwiches. Special lunch set deals.

• Aix-en-Provence

  A nice little French place near Edobashi. Head east down the road in front of Edobashi Station and cross route 23. Follow the road around the curve and it'll be on your left. Reasonable prices and good food.

• My Kitchen - Western food

  Lunch is the best time to come here as for 850yen you get a main dish, a little salad, a small soup and a drink. The chef who runs the restaurant rotates the topping on her om-rice (omelette and rice) each day. Thursday is green curry on top! Wednesday is Tabasco! etc. etc. Night is also delicious and features a wide range of pasta and French/Italian/Spanish inspired dishes but can get a little pricey at around 2500-3000 per person. A small place perfect for a date or a meal with the girls. Can get busy at lunchtime depending on the day! Exit Tsu station on the JR side and turn right on the corner with the estate agent and bookstore (which has lots of adult magazines right outside!) and keep going straight, passing Pachinko and a music store. Cross the street where the railway crossing is and it will be on your left next to the 'members club Azabu'.

• Creador

  Off of Route 165 in Hisai. A genki bike ride from most areas, but ample parking if you have a car. Assorted menu items, but their bragging point is a variety of good breads. If you order a meal you can get all you can eat bread for a set cost. Also, they sometimes sell the day old bread at a huge discount. Tastier than 90 percent of the bread shops in Mie. Open from 11 to 10, closed Wednesdays. Phone: 059-259-1055 Address: 津市久居井戸山町864-1

• Torch (トーチ・燈明酒家)

  Former factory cum stylish restaurant (and furniture store) located just south of the Yacht Harbor on a side road. Ample two-deep parking out front. Tables in various relaxed styles (i.e., Thai) spread out around a spacious warehouse area with an 8 meter ceiling. Central fountain drizzles water from above into a pond. Easy to relax and talk freely. Asian/European fusion, moderately priced. (map) [**Thought to be closed as of Sept. 2012.]

• Tin Pan Alley

  A great ethnic fusion restaurant of sorts. In a sort of a Greek Island come suburban Japan-style building, they serve everything from spring rolls to borscht to tandoori chicken. The atmosphere is great and the prices are surprisingly good. It's a little hard to find - look behind the Hakuyo video/CD store on the Rte. 23 bypass. Unfortunately, since it is so popular, you might need a reservation, even on a weekday! There is an English menu. [**Thought to be closed as of Sept. 2012.]

Indian/ Nepalese

• Everest

  Hailed by many who go there as the best Indian restaurant outside of New Delhi. The dishes are delicious, portions are big and prices are great. The lunch sets on weekdays are especially recommended. You can get a huge lunch for as little as 750yen. Head south of Tsu station on Rt. 23. Turn left opposite the huge Asahi Meat store, just after a pedestrian overpass. You should see a small neon Everest sign.

• Mount Everest　(マウントエベレスト, 15-9 Honmachi Tsu, Mie Prefecture 514-0831‎, 059-225-2020)

  Not quite sure what the relationship is between this and the original Everest, but the curry's good. Off Rte. 23 in Honmachi, about 5 minutes' drive or 20 minutes' walk south of the original Everest, or 20 minutes' walk east from Tsushinmachi Station. Go east from 23, past the large semi-enclosed playing field/ stadium on your left. The restaurant is on the next corner. Definitely open as of Sept. 2012.

• Karakatta / Calcutta　(カラカッタ 20-31 Marunouchi Tsu, Mie Prefecture 514-0033‎ 059-246-6338)

  This lively Nepalese curry restaurant has a menu so large as to be bewildering, but if you can read katakana you'll be able to figure it out. You can specify your curry by content (vegetable, chicken, pork, mutton, keema, potato-and-eggplant, cheese, etc.), base (tomato, coconut, spinach, etc.), and spiciness level. There is also a range of side dishes, rice preparation styles, soups, naan, etc. The "Calcutta Set" is a good dinner value: for 1400 yen, you get two kinds of curry of your choosing, rice and naan, two pieces of very good chicken tikka, salad, and your choice of soft drink (mango lassi is on the list). You won't leave hungry! It's just on the west side of Rt 23, across from the Matsubishi department store on the east side, and one block north of the Iwadagawa river. From Tsushinmachi station it's a 10-15 minute walk, east and slightly south. Definitely open as of Sept. 2012.

• Jahan

  Small indo-pakistani restaurant located right next to the Takadahonzan station. They offer delicious, authentic food and not the watered-down version you often find in Japan. Prices are good, starting from the 500 yen 'coin lunch', not counting the discount for students. They speak english and are really welcoming. Opening hours: AM11:00~PM10:30 Phone: 059-233-6615 Address: 津市一身田平野 393-1 (turn on the right after leaving the station) [** Thought to be reopening in Feb. 2013 -- please update if you know more.]

Chinese

• Man-riki-ya

  A highly recommended for Chinese. English menu available. There are several restaurants in the basement of the Hotel Green Park / UST Building. The entrance to the underground is next to the bus ticket window in front of Tsu station.

• Hyoka Gyouza - 氷花餃子津高野尾店 〒514-2221 Mie Prefecture, Tsu, Takanoocho, １１７９

  Tragically, the Tsu Station branch of this restaurant closed in Feb. 2013．There's another branch up in Takonoo-cho, on Rte 10 between Ishinden and Shimonosho, but it's a pain to get to without a car. [From the Tsu Station branch review: Set 'teishoku' meals are around 900yen but ordering by the plate is also recommended as the menu is very large. The gyoza here are especially well known and delicious. Other tasty options are suu (vinegar) pork, spicy chicken karaage, cashew chicken, and sweet and spicy fried potatoes. Lunch is a bargain but can be busy.]

Other

• Marrakesh - Moroccan (マラケッシュ １丁目-１２２−２ Edobashi Tsu, Mie Prefecture 514-0001, Japan 059-231-8020)

  A Moroccan restaurant near Mie University and Mie Daigaku Hospital, about 7 minutes' walk east of Edobashi Station (cross the river, cross Rt 23 heading east, and then take the first major left). A limited, but tasty and affordable, menu. You might want to call ahead to make sure it's open that evening -- the owner will speak to you in English, French, or even Spanish if you prefer! Updated Sept. 2012

• Ie Jon - Korean (韓国料理イェジョン (Kankoku Ryouri Ie Jon) 〒514-0815 三重県津市藤方１０２９ 059-229-5022)

  Craving soju, chige, bulgogi or bibimbap? Ie Jon has you covered. Gorge yourself on spicy, tasty food for low prices while ogling the posters of K-pop stars on the walls. (Lunch is a good value, as are the 850-yen dinner sets, which come with a a large main, rice, and various small Japanese- and Korean-style side dishes.) If you still have any stomach elasticity, you could take a stroll past the Sunkus and Kahma down to Starbucks (in the parking lot of the Bay Square shopping block, which also features a Uniqlo). Open for lunch and dinner; closes at 10 PM; closed Wednesdays.

Access: From the Tsu Station area, go south down Route 23 toward Starbucks. Ie Jon is on the left, a little way north of Starbucks, just before a Sunkus, in a tiny strip mall shared with an Amazon DVD rental shop and Tattoo World. If going by car or bike isn't convenient, you can take the bus south from Tsu Station (if going in the evening, be sure to check the time of your last bus home -- you may need to leave by 9). Updated Feb. 2013

• Chabelita - Mexican （チャベリータ　〒514-1105三重県津市久居北口町９７２−１　Mie Prefecture, Tsu, Hisaikitaguchicho, ９７２−１　０５９−２５６−８４４８　http://www.chabelita.net/ )

  Advertising itself as "Jap-Mex Soul Food," Chabelita provides a cool, pleasant atmosphere and a version of Mexican cuisine. Regulars suggest skipping the set meals if you really want Mexican flavors and ordering from the menu. The half roasted chicken, with tortillas and toppings, is tasty and can be shared between two (or three less-hungry) people. You can view the menu online at the Web site. 5 minutes by car or 20 minutes on foot from Hisai Station. Open 11:30 - 2 PM (L.O.) for lunch, 6 - 11 PM for dinner (L.O. 10 PM). Closed Wednesdays. Updated Feb. 2013

Chain Restaurants

Almost every chain restaurant available in central Japan has a franchise in Tsu, with most being on Route 23 either just north or south of downtown. The largest concentration is around Sun Valley.

There are also a few at the east exit (JR side) of Tsu Station, including

• Baskin Robbins
• McDonalds's
• Mister Donut
• Vie de France
• Doutor (coffee shop)

Bars

• Melting pOt

  A gaijin bar/club in Tsu-shimmachi with international beers and Mexican food. They host regular events featuring live acts, DJs, etc, as well as the JET welcome party every August.

• GALA

  A bar/club that hosts SWAY!, a bi-monthly, gaijin-organised, all-night dance party. Heading south on Route 23, turn left at the Daisan Bank. GALA is in the basement of the building on the second corner on the right-hand side. Look for the orange sign.

• Kamayan

  A full bar and restaurant which is spacious and has free internet access. Exit Edobashi station, go through the bike parking lot on your left, and turn right into the alley. About 5m down, you'll find the back of Kamayan to your left. Walk through the little parking lot, the front door is to your left. The bar holds a fun Halloween party every year. (日本三重県津市上浜町３丁目 ＫＡＭＡＹＡＮ 059-225-9850)

• Snowdrop

  Just East of the train station along Shinmachi Street. There is a big blue sign and it is difficult to miss the newly-renovated wooden exterior. There is a wide array of dishes from many Asian countries and a huge, we mean huge, drink menu. Prices are great, too. English menus available. This place is very popular so get there early!

• Bazooka

  Without doubt the cheapest bar in town. Located on route 23, a 15 minute walk north of Edobashi station. Open around 8.30 until everyone leaves, popular uni student hangout.

• Torch (map) [**Possibly closed as of Sept. 2012?]

  A bar/restaurant high on atmosphere and sometimes price. Menu holds some interesting surprises. Not a bad place for a date. Often has live (soft) music.

• Heartland (map)

  A rather small bar on the second floor of a building near Family Mart in Daimon. Serves good drinks(everything! one coin) and has a small menu of typical bar fare. Nice mood, usually fairly quiet. No table charge.

• Red Line

  A nice bar in Daimon near the Iwata River. Good food, good service, and an extensive drink menu (all one coin). Operated by former Tsu Queen.

• Takaya

  Tsu's very own sports bar. Located right next to Tsu station. Go out the west exit and immediately turn right. You'll see it on your left.

• Hanauta

  Small izakaya run by Koji, who has an affinity for ecclectic music from various periods. Who knows what he'll play for you. Chat him up and he may toss in your interesting disk. Menu is not too involved, but cooking is good (former employee of Tempura Sakamoto). Travel up Shinmachi Doori from the station go past Takaya and Regal Shoes, under the yellow and red awning on the right before Chubu Power.