A compact lantern-lit izakaya alley by Kofu Station serving Yamanashi specialties at counter-only stalls.
Chochin Yokocho (Lantern Alley) is a narrow, red-lantern-strung passage a one-minute walk from Kofu Station's south exit, packed with roughly a dozen counter-only izakaya that each seat only a handful of guests. Most stalls specialize in a narrow menu built around Yamanashi ingredients: Koshu chicken skewers, wine-marinated beef, hoto-style sides, and a rotating list of prefectural sake and Koshu wine by the glass. The alley draws a mix of Kofu office workers on their way home, solo diners perching at a counter for a quick bowl and a drink, and visitors curious about a compact, old-school entertainment strip that has survived redevelopment around the station. There is no dress code and generally no cover charge, though the tightest stalls fill up fast after 19:00 and seating is first-come, first-served. Because each shop is tiny, hopping between two or three stalls in an evening is the normal way to experience the alley rather than settling in at one spot for hours.
Good to know
- Hours
- Most shops 17:00–24:00; a few close Sundays
- Dress code
- No dress code; casual wear throughout
- Age limit
- 20+ (Japan's legal drinking age); no ID checks typically enforced but drinking age applies
- Signature
- Lantern-lit 50-metre alley of about a dozen tiny izakaya just off Kofu Station, cooking with Yamanashi-grown ingredients and pouring local sake and wine
Location
1-13 Chuo, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-0031
35.6634, 138.5687 View on map
Highlights
- About a dozen counter-only izakaya packed into a 50-metre lantern-lit alley
- Menus built around Yamanashi specialties: Koshu chicken, wine beef, and local sake
- One-minute walk from Kofu Station's south exit
- Easy to hop between two or three stalls in a single evening
Tips for visiting
- Arrive before 19:00 on weeknights to get a counter seat without a wait
- Bring cash — several of the smallest stalls do not take cards
- Order in small rounds and move to a second stall rather than committing to one for the whole night
- Ask for a sake or Koshu wine flight if unsure what to order
When to visit
Weeknights from 18:00, before the tightest counters fill up.
Accessibility
The alley's stone paving is narrow and uneven with steps into some stalls, and counters are close together, making it difficult for wheelchair users.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Is a reservation needed at Chochin Yokocho?
No, the stalls are walk-in only and generally do not take reservations given how small each counter is.
Is there a cover charge?
Most stalls charge no cover; guests pay only for food and drinks ordered.
How far is it from Kofu Station?
The alley sits about a one-minute walk from the station's south exit.