Drinking is woven into Japanese social and professional life in ways that can surprise newcomers. Whether it’s after-work drinks with colleagues, a neighborhood event, or a formal company party, understanding how drinking culture works in Japan will help you navigate these situations gracefully — whether you choose to drink or not.

The Izakaya: Japan’s Social Drinking Headquarters

An izakaya (居酒屋) is a Japanese pub-restaurant — the most common setting for social drinking. Unlike a Western pub, an izakaya serves a wide variety of food alongside drinks. You typically order both throughout the evening, and the atmosphere is relaxed and noisy.

How Izakayas Work

  • You’re shown to a table and given oshibori (hot or cold towel) and often a small starter called otōshi (お通し) — a mandatory dish that costs ¥200–¥500 per person regardless of whether you ordered it
  • Order drinks and food at the table, either verbally or via tablet
  • All-you-can-drink (nomihodai): Many izakayas offer unlimited drink plans for 90–120 minutes, typically ¥1,500–¥2,500 per person. These usually include beer, sake, shochu, whisky soda, and non-alcoholic options
  • The bill is typically split equally (warikan) among the group

Common Drinks at an Izakaya

  • Nama biru: Draft beer — the default opening order
  • Chu-hai: Shochu mixed with soda and fruit flavor — approachable and lower ABV
  • Highball: Whisky and soda — extremely popular and almost always ¥500–¥700
  • Sake: Can be warm (atsukan) or cold (reishu)
  • Shochu: A distilled spirit usually drunk with water, soda, or on the rocks
  • Umeshu: Plum wine — sweet and popular
  • Non-alcoholic (nomi): Soft drinks, oolong tea, or “mocktail” options are always available

Nomikai: The Work Drinking Party

Nomikai (飲み会) literally means “drinking meeting.” In the workplace context, it’s a regular institution — after-work drinks with colleagues, team lunches with alcohol, end-of-year parties (bōnenkai), new year parties (shinnenkai), and welcome/farewell parties.

The Cultural Role of Nomikai

In Japanese corporate culture, nomikai traditionally served as the space where people could speak more frankly than in formal meetings. The phrase “nomi-nication” (nomikēshon — a blend of nomi and communication) describes this function.

Attendance at nomikai is often implicitly expected, though increasingly less so at progressive companies and since COVID. Declining once is fine; consistently absent colleagues can be perceived as socially distant.

Key Etiquette at Nomikai

Kanpai (乾杯) — the toast: Wait for the formal kanpai before drinking. When the glasses are raised, hold yours slightly lower than a senior colleague’s — this is a sign of respect. Everyone typically drinks together at the kanpai.

Pour for others, not yourself: In formal group settings, it’s polite to pour drinks for the people around you rather than filling your own glass. Similarly, if you notice someone’s glass is empty, offer to refill it.

Keep your glass from being empty if you don’t want more: Leaving a little in your glass is a signal you’re fine. An empty glass is an invitation to be refilled.

Watch the seniority: At the first nomikai with new colleagues, observe the seating dynamics. More senior people typically sit further from the entrance; junior staff sit near it. This is a subtler point and rarely policed strictly, but awareness is useful.

Drinking and Not Drinking

You are never required to drink alcohol at a Japanese social event. Non-alcoholic options are always available, and Japan’s food culture gives you something to do with your hands and conversation at all times.

Useful phrases:

  • “Kuruma de kita node…” (I came by car, so…) — common, accepted reason
  • “Kin’en chū desu” (I’m taking a break from drinking)
  • “Taicho ga yokunakute…” (I’m not feeling well)
  • Simply ordering oolong tea (ウーロン茶) or soft drinks is completely normal

The “Face the Glass” Moment

At some nomihodai parties, there is social pressure to keep pace with the group. If this becomes uncomfortable, a gentle, firm “I’m fine, thank you” (Daijōbu desu, arigatō) repeated consistently is respected. Japan’s social culture values not making others uncomfortable, so persistent, aggressive pressure to drink is genuinely uncommon in most workplaces.

Karaoke After Drinks

Nomikai often end with a second venue (nijikai — second party) at a karaoke box. This is a private room (not a public stage), very informal, and genuinely fun once you stop worrying about your singing ability. Non-singers are still very welcome.

Drinking in Public

Japan has no general prohibition on drinking in public spaces. It’s common — and completely socially accepted — to drink at parks, during festivals, and at sports events. Open alcohol is sold in convenience stores and vending machines throughout the country.

The legal drinking age in Japan is 20 years old (though the general adult age became 18 in 2022, the drinking and smoking age remains 20). ID checks are infrequent but do occur at convenience stores and bars.

Drunk driving is taken extremely seriously. The legal limit is very low (0.15mg/L breath), and both the driver and passengers who knowingly let someone drive drunk can face penalties. Do not drive after drinking in Japan.