If you're interested in Japanese culture or food, you've heard the term izakaya.

An izakaya is a casual drinking place, which some people associate with a "bar", where you can not only drink alcohol, but also enjoy a variety of Japanese tapas, so it's more like a Spanish tapas bar.

Izakaya is one of the most common types of restaurants in Japan, and is a great place to meet friends or coworkers for a drink or to relax after work.

Many tourists also choose to eat at izakaya, and it's easy to find a variety of izakaya near train stations and entertainment districts, so you can fill up your stomach and get a good taste of Japan's local culture at the same time.

Izakaya are always very busy, with lots of chatter, singing and dancing, so if you're looking for a quiet meal or a romantic date, this may not be the place for you.

Izakaya seating designs usually come in both Western and Japanese styles, and some izakaya also have semi-private compartments or private rooms.

Traditional izakaya usually only offer text-only Japanese menus, which can be challenging for those who don't know Japanese (or maybe you can read some of it).

Nowadays, there are also many modern izakaya, especially chain restaurants, that offer menus with brightly colored graphics that are easy to understand for those who don't speak Japanese. Some izakaya frequented by foreign tourists also offer menus in English. Some of the larger izakayas also have tablet computers that can be used to place orders.

Smoking has always been allowed in almost all bars and izakayas in Japan, but a new rule came into effect in April 2020 that allows smoking in almost all bars and izakayas to be allowed only in designated smoking areas (although this can be a bit difficult to enforce, as many restaurants don't have as strict a delineation between smoking and non-smoking areas). So if you're a non-smoker and hate the smell of smoke, you might want to inquire before visiting an izakaya.

Some izakayas impose a limit on the length of stay, such as a maximum of two hours on weekends when there are more guests.

Izakaya food tends to be smaller portions and less complicated.

You'll find grilled chicken kabobs and other skewered foods, as well as fish, fried chicken, furikake, pickles, and some casual Western snacks like French fries, potato salad, and pizza.

You can also find other Japanese classics like sushi and ramen (not as common in some of the smaller izakaya) in the larger ones.

Of course, izakaya are also primarily places to drink, so there will be a variety of local alcoholic beverages and sometimes some imported ones.

Common ones include beer, sake, shochu, whiskey and wine. There are also popular mixed drinks including whisky sodas (known as highball in Japan) and shochu and sodas with some sort of fruit flavor.

Many izakaya offer unlimited drinks in the evening, where you can drink as much as you like for a certain amount of time (usually 1-2 hours). If you don't drink alcohol, there are also options for tea, juices, and other soft drinks.

Shoe lockers

At some izakayas, diners are required to take off their shoes at the entrance or at a table. If there is a shoe locker at the entrance, remove your shoes and place them in the locker, then take the wooden "key" to the locker with you. If you take off your shoes at a table, you will usually need to place them under the crossbar near your seat or in a nearby shoe locker.

Seating

Once you are seated, the waiter will offer a moist towel and an appetizer called otoshi, which is included in the seat charge of a few hundred yen per person.

Next, the waiter will ask if you want to start ordering. You can order some wine, such as beer, before ordering.

Call bell

Some izakaya have a call bell on the table that you can ring when you need service. However, some more traditional izakaya do not have a call bell.

Ordering

You don't need to order everything at once, but can usually order in batches.

Usually the food is made to order, and some of it can be slow.

There are also no rules for ordering, though traditionally many diners end a meal with rice or noodles.

Restrooms

Toilets in izakaya are usually labeled as "makeup room," "hand wash," or "toilet".

Izakaya restrooms are usually labeled with the words "makeup room," "hand washing," or "toilet. There is also usually a pair of toilet slippers in the restroom, which are only for use in the restroom and are not allowed to be worn away.

Checking out

Izakaya usually leave a bill or some sort of token on the table. At the end of the day, you can take the bill or token to the cash register at the exit to pay.

In some traditional or smaller izakaya, you can say to the waiter, "お会计お願いしますokaikei onegaishimasu," which means, "It's time to pay the bill," or gesture a " " with your index finger, so the waiter will give you a sign. " ", so the waiter will give you the check.

It is important to note that izakaya, like many restaurants in Japan, do not require a tip or service charge, only the cost of the drinks and the cost of the seat, which is charged per person.

Izakaya can be found all over Japan, such as on the dining floors of major train stations, entertainment districts, shopping areas, and department stores. Many izakaya are open only in the evening.

Here are some of the most popular izakaya areas:

Shinjuku, Tokyo

When it comes to Shinjuku, of course, you have to mention Kabukicho, which naturally has a lot of restaurants and izakaya.

You'd better choose a large, well-known izakaya to avoid places you shouldn't go.

Tokyo Yurakucho

Under the viaduct near Yurakucho Station is a lively dining area with izakaya, yakitori restaurants and bars. While dining, you can also hear the sound of trains speeding overhead.

Asakusa, Tokyo

West of Asakusa Temple is a 70-80 meter long street with nostalgic izakaya. This izakaya is popular for its beef stew and other delicacies.

Umeda, Osaka

There are many restaurants and izakayas in Umeda, especially in the newly developed dining area north of JR Osaka Station and in the old area south of Kita-Shinchi.

Namba, Osaka

Namba is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Osaka, with lots of entertainment and shopping, as well as a famous food paradise, and of course, all kinds of izakaya (Japanese-style pubs), especially in Dotonbori.

Hokono, Sapporo

Hokono is the largest entertainment district north of Tokyo. There are many izakaya (Japanese-style pubs), ramen shops and restaurants for visitors to choose from.

These are some of the knowledge of izakaya, I hope it is helpful to you~