Izakaya

Izakaya (��) are casual drinking establishments, similar to tapas bars, where customers order a variety of small dishes of food that can be shared at the table. They are one of the most common restaurant types in Japan and a popular spot for friends or coworkers to meet up for a drinking party or to wind down after work. Also a great dining choice for tourists, izakaya are easily found around train stations and entertainment districts, and range from tiny single-counter joints to multi-story chain restaurants.

The menu at an izakaya is made up of a wide variety of Japanese and sometimes international dishes. Common menu items include sashimi, yakitori, grilled meat and seafood, salads, pickles, fried foods, regional delicacies, hot pot dishes, rice and noodle dishes. Primarily drinking places, izakaya also offer a wide range of domestic and sometimes imported alcoholic beverages, including beer, sake and shochu. Most menu items cost a few hundred yen each, and a typical meal will cost between 2000 and 5000 yen per person. Some places also offer all-you-can-drink plans, which start around 2000 yen for a set time of 90-120 minutes.

Pickled cucumbers, edamame and grilled fish

Many modern izakaya, especially chain restaurants, offer menus that are accompanied by large, colorful pictures and are easy to understand for non-Japanese speakers. English menus are occasionally available, particularly in districts frequented by foreign tourists. More traditional izakaya, however, often have only Japanese menus without pictures which can make a visit rather challenging for those without Japanese skills.

Izakaya tend to be lively with chatter and may not be suitable for a quiet, romantic dinner. Seating is commonly provided at Western-style tables, a counter, low tables on tatami or a combination of the aforementioned. Semi-private compartments or private rooms may also be available. Some izakaya enforce a time limit for how long customers can stay when it gets crowded over the weekends, which is typically two hours.

Where to find izakaya

Izakaya can be found in large numbers all across Japan, such as around major train stations, entertainment districts, shopping areas and restaurant floors of department stores. Many izakaya are open only in the evenings. Some popular izakaya districts include:

Tokyo

Shinjuku
Kabukicho may be notorious in the Shinjuku area because of its red light establishments, but many restaurants and izakaya can also be found there. It is best to stick to large, well known chain izakaya to avoid stepping into the wrong type of establishments. Avoid touts.
Tokyo

Yurakucho
A lively restaurant district can be found nestled beneath the train tracks around Yurakucho Station in an area nicknamed "Yurakucho Gādo Shita" (lit. below the guardrail). Izakaya, yakitori restaurants and casual international pubs can be found there. Diners can enjoy their meals surrounded by the chatter of other customers mixed in with the sound of trains passing overhead.
Tokyo

Asakusa
West of the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa is a 70-80 meter long street lined with izakaya that exude a nostalgic charm. Nicknamed "Hoppy Street" after a popular alcoholic drink sold in the area, the restaurants that line the road specialize in beef tendon stew and other sharable dishes that go well with drinks.
Osaka

Umeda
There are many restaurants and izakaya in Umeda, especially around the newly developed dining areas north of JR Osaka Station and the older southern side of Kitashinchi.
Osaka

Namba
One of Osaka's most popular tourist destinations, Namba offers lots of shopping and entertainment and is also known as a dining destination with many izakaya, especially around the colorful Dotonbori area.
Sapporo

Susukino
Susukino is the largest entertainment district north of Tokyo. Visitors can choose from a plethora of izakaya, ramen-ya and other restaurants to satisfy their hunger.

How to enjoy an izakaya

The process varies somewhat between individual establishments; however, below are some common aspects of dining at an izakaya that visitors are likely to encounter:

Shoe lockers

At some izakaya, diners are required to remove their shoes at the entrance or near their table. If there are shoe lockers by the entrance, remove your shoes and place them into your locker of choice. Do not forget to take the wooden "key" with you to your seat. When shoes are removed near your table, they are usually placed under a ledge near your seats or in a shoe cabinet nearby.
Being Seated

Once seated, the staff will provide oshibori (moist refreshment towels) and serve a small appetizer known as otoshi, which is typically provided in lieu of a seating charge and costs a few hundred yen per person. The staff may then proceed to ask if you are ready to order. Many diners start by ordering a round of beer (or non-alcoholic drinks for non-drinkers) before ordering food.
Call button

Some izakaya have a call button on the table to get the staff's attention to place an order. However, more traditional izakaya do not have these buttons.
Ordering

There is no need to order everything at one go, and it is customary to place multiple orders as the evening proceeds. Food is usually served as it is prepared, and some dishes may arrive faster than others. There is no rule to follow when it comes to ordering food, but many diners traditionally conclude the meal with a rice or noodle dish.
Toilets

Toilets in the izakaya are usually labeled keshoshitsu (��ώ�), tearai (��) or toire (�g�C��). A pair of toilet slippers is often found for use inside the washroom. These toilet slippers should not be removed from the washroom, a common faux pas.
Paying

Izakaya often leave a running tab of the bill or some sort of token at the table. When ready to leave, take the token or the bill and go to the cash register near the exit to pay. At smaller or more traditional izakaya the tab might be kept with the staff, and they will tally your bill when you are ready to pay.

Questions? Ask in our forum.

- Udatsu Sushi (Tokyo)
  Sushi
  
  Awarded One Star in 2024 - People from around the world visit to experience Mr. Udatsu's sushi. Inside the restaurant, which resembles an art gallery with its modern decor and numerous artworks, guests can enjoy sushi crafted from the highest quality ingredients. While the foundation is traditional nigiri, the menu also features original creations born from the chef's relentless curiosity and innovation.
  View on JapanEatinerary
- Waketokuyama (Tokyo)
  Japanese (Kaiseki)
  
  Awarded One Star in 2025 - With a meticulous focus on allowing guests to enjoy seasonal ingredients at their peak, the menu changes approximately every two weeks. The signature dish, "Grilled Abalone with Seaweed Aroma," features thick slices of abalone generously coated in a rich liver sauce, offering an exquisite taste of the sea.
  View on JapanEatinerary
- Sushiroku (Osaka)
  Sushi
  
  Awarded One Star in 2024 - A cozy, family-run restaurant managed by a husband and wife. They are deeply committed to perfecting their shari (sushi rice) and use two types of vinegared rice tailored to complement each topping. Since 2019, the restaurant has consistently earned stars.
  View on JapanEatinerary
- Fry-ya (Tokyo)
  Tonkatsu
  
  Exquisite fried dishes crafted by a head chef with experience earning stars in both Switzerland and Japan. The remarkably light tonkatsu is a favorite not only among Japanese diners but also among visitors to Japan. With the theme of "small portions, many varieties," guests can enjoy sampling a wide selection of tonkatsu in smaller portions.
  View on JapanEatinerary
- Sushi Hayashi (Kyoto)
  Sushi
  
  Awarded One Star in 2024 - A unique sushi restaurant that blends traditional Edomae (Tokyo-style) sushi with Kyoto-style sushi, such as mackerel sushi and steamed sushi, in its courses. The head chef, who trained as a sushi artisan in Switzerland, carefully selects Swiss wines, making them a perfect pairing to enjoy with the meal.
  View on JapanEatinerary
- Hikarimono (Tokyo)
  Sushi
  
  With a prime location and quality that rivals high-end sushi restaurants, this restaurant maintains the goal of being a place for everyday dining. It offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere, free from stiffness or formality. The signature "Hikari-maki," featuring ingredients such as sardines, pickled plum, and bettarazuke (sweet pickled radish), boasts unique flavors that are especially popular among international visitors.
  View on JapanEatinerary
- Noguchi Tsunagu (Kyoto)
  Japanese (Kaiseki)
  
  Awarded One Star in 2024 - The sister restaurant of the highly exclusive Japanese cuisine establishment, Kyotenjin Noguchi. While maintaining the culinary essence of the main branch, this kappo-style restaurant incorporates ingredients from the chef’s hometown in the Goto Islands. Its signature dish, Nikusui, is a masterpiece made from carefully prepared, top-quality A5-grade sirloin.
  View on JapanEatinerary
- TEMPURA & WINE SHINO (Tokyo)
  Tempura
  
  The kind of restaurant that is known only to true gourmets, serving as a sort of 'Hidden gem'. In a chic space with black walls and a ceiling adorned in gold, you can enjoy tempura with a light and elegant texture, delicately fried using refined techniques to achieve a thin, white batter that minimizes the aroma of oil. Savor tempura that maximizes the flavors of the ingredients, paired with Champagne and Burgundy wines carefully selected by the sommelier.
  View on JapanEatinerary
- Ginza Nominokoji Yamagishi (Tokyo)
  Izakaya
  
  Tominokoji Yamagishi, an exclusive kaiseki restaurant from Kyoto, has opened its first location in Tokyo. Unlike its main branch, this establishment adopts an izakaya-style format, allowing diners to enjoy a more relaxed à la carte dining experience. Despite being located in Tokyo, the restaurant meticulously sources ingredients and even water from Kyoto, dedicating itself to faithfully recreating Kyoto’s culinary traditions.
  View on JapanEatinerary
- Kitashinchi Kushikatsu Bon (Osaka)
  Kushikatsu
  
  A restaurant that elevates Osaka's soul food, kushikatsu, to a luxurious level. Skilled chefs meticulously prepare each skewer using carefully selected premium ingredients such as Chateaubriand and foie gras. The skewers are fried in a custom copper pot using a unique oil blend based on cottonseed oil, enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients.
  View on JapanEatinerary
See more on JapanEatinerary