Izakaya Guide for Foreigners: How to Eat and Drink in Japan (2025)

Izakayas (居酒屋) are Japanese gastropubs — casual, noisy, smoky, and central to Japanese social and work culture. Learning how to navigate one is essential for anyone living or working in Japan.

What Is an Izakaya?

An izakaya sits between a bar and a restaurant. You order food and drinks simultaneously throughout the evening — it’s not a dinner followed by drinks, it’s both at once, continuously.

• Sit-down format — usually floor cushions (座敷) or tables and chairs
• Small shared dishes — like tapas; order many and share
• Drinking is expected — but non-drinkers are accommodated
• Evening-only — most open 5pm or 6pm, close midnight or later

Types of Izakaya

How to Enter and Get Seated

1. Wait at the entrance — a staff member will seat you (don’t seat yourself)
2. Say the number in your party: “二人 (futari)” = 2 people, “三人 (san-nin)” = 3, etc.
3. Smoking preference may be asked — 禁煙 (kin-en) = non-smoking
4. You may be handed a warm towel (おしぼり, oshibori) — use it to clean your hands

The First Order: Drinks and Otoshi

First drinks: The server will ask almost immediately: “お飲み物はお決まりですか？” (What would you like to drink?)

Otoshi (お通し): You’ll automatically receive a small appetizer dish you didn’t order. This is otoshi — a cover charge in food form, typically ¥300–500/person. It’s not optional.

What to Drink

Beer (ビール)

• Draft beer (nama biiru) — most popular first drink
• Major brands: Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, Suntory

Chu-hi (チューハイ)

• Canned or draft carbonated cocktail — shochu + flavored soda
• Very popular, light, usually ¥300–500

Highball (ハイボール)

• Whisky + soda — very popular in Japan; excellent with food

Sake (日本酒)

• Ask for 冷酒 (reishu) for cold sake or 熱燗 (atsukan) for warm sake

Shochu (焼酎)

• Japanese spirit distilled from barley, sweet potato, or rice
• Usually served with ice (on the rocks) or soda

Non-Alcoholic Options

• ウーロン茶 (oolong tea) — most common
• ジュース / ソフトドリンク — soft drinks available at all izakayas

Nomihodai (飲み放題) — All-You-Can-Drink

Many izakayas offer a 2-hour all-you-can-drink option for ¥1,500–3,000. Worth it if you plan to drink throughout the evening.

What to Eat

Must-Order Dishes

Edamame (枝豆) — Salted soybeans. Always a good start. ¥300–500.

Karaage (唐揚げ) — Japanese fried chicken. Essential.

Yakitori (焼き鳥) — Grilled chicken skewers. Order various cuts:

• ねぎま — chicken + green onion
• もも — thigh
• つくね — minced chicken patty

Sashimi (刺身) — Raw fish, typically a fresh seasonal assortment

Gyoza (餃子) — Pan-fried dumplings

Tofu dishes — Agedashi tofu (揚げ出し豆腐) — lightly fried, in dashi broth

Potato salad (ポテサラ) — A comfort food staple at izakayas

###締め (Shime) — The Final Dish End the meal with a starchy dish: rice, ramen, ochazuke (rice in tea broth). This signals the evening is winding down.

Etiquette and Unwritten Rules

Pouring Drinks

• Don’t pour your own drink — pour for others, and let them pour for you
• When someone pours for you, hold your glass with both hands
• When your glass is near empty, someone will offer to refill it — hold it up in response

Kanpai (乾杯)

• Wait for everyone to have a drink before the first sip
• Hold glasses up together: “乾杯！” (Kanpai!)
• It’s polite to clink at eye-level (higher = more respect)

Ordering

• Catch the server’s attention by saying “すみません” (sumimasen)
• Many izakayas now have tablet ordering — just tap and confirm

Paying

• Bills are per table, not individual
• When ready to pay, say “お会計をお願いします” (okaikei wo onegai shimasu)
• Splitting is common — apps like PayPay make this easy

Popular Izakaya Chains (Beginner-Friendly)

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