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

Walk into an izakaya without knowing the drill and you’ll spend the evening nodding at things you don’t understand. Walk in prepared and you’ll have one of the best nights Japan has to offer. Here’s exactly what to expect and how to order.

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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