{"id":60004,"date":"2025-01-27T13:26:48","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T05:26:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.likejapan.com\/en\/?p=60004"},"modified":"2025-03-07T11:29:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T03:29:21","slug":"izakaya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.likejapan.com\/en\/travel-tutorial\/izakaya\/","title":{"rendered":"A few things you may want to know about Izakaya"},"content":{"rendered":"

Izakaya is a kind of casual Japanese bar for after-work drinking and gatherings. You can experience the daily life of local Japanese there. Non-Japanese-speaking foreigners may find exploring this kind of local culture difficult as they cannot read the menu. Here are some information that may help.
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

1. Greetings from staff<\/h2>\n

When you come into an izakaya, the staff usually greets you and ask the number of people. You can just smile and show the number with hand gestures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Japanese<\/strong><\/td>\nPronunciation<\/strong><\/td>\nMeaning<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u3044\u3089\u3063\u3057\u3083\u3044\u307e\u305b\u3002<\/td>\nIrasshaimase<\/td>\nWelcome.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u4f55\u540d\u69d8\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/td>\nNannmei sama desuka?<\/td>\nHow many people?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

There are mainly four types of seats in the izakaya. Counter seats enable you to chat with the chef but it is hard to chat with your friends if you come to a big group. Table seats and tatami seats are suitable for a small group of people, while a private dining room allows you to chat privately in an independent room. You can choose according to your needs. There is a kind of izakaya that has no seat. People stand and drink near the counter table and it is called “tachinomi” (\u7acb\u3061\u98f2\u307f).<\/p>\n

Seats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Japanese<\/strong><\/td>\nPronunciation<\/strong><\/td>\nMeaning<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30ab\u30a6\u30f3\u30bf\u30fc\u5e2d<\/td>\nkaunnta-seki<\/td>\ncounter seat (facing the chef)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30c6\u30fc\u30d6\u30eb\u5e2d<\/td>\nteburu-seki<\/td>\ntable seat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5ea7\u6577<\/td>\nzashiki<\/td>\ntatami seat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u500b\u5ba4<\/td>\nkoshitsu<\/td>\nprivate dining room<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u7acb\u3061\u98f2\u307f<\/td>\ntachinomi<\/td>\nstanding (no seat)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

2. How to order food and drinks<\/h2>\n

After settling down, the staff will serve you with a hot wet towel or wet tissue for you to clean your hands. Here are some common utensils that you may need. There is not any smoking ban in indoor areas in Japan, it is common for Japanese to smoke when having a drink in an izakaya.<\/p>\n

Utensils<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Japanese<\/strong><\/td>\nPronunciation<\/strong><\/td>\nMeaning<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u304a\u3057\u307c\u308a<\/td>\noshibori<\/td>\nwet tissue\/ wet towel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u5272\u308a\u7bb8<\/td>\nwarihashi<\/td>\ndisposable chopsticks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u53d6\u308a\u76bf<\/td>\ntorizara<\/td>\nsmall bowl (for sharing food)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30e1\u30cb\u30e5\u30fc<\/td>\nmenyu<\/td>\nmenu<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u7070\u76bf<\/td>\nhaizara<\/td>\nashtray<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
oshibori (\u304a\u3057\u307c\u308a)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

English menu may be available in some izakayas located in popular tourist spots. But don’t worry if there is no English menu, it is not that complicated to order food and drinks in izakayas. Here are some common food and drinks in an izakaya.<\/p>\n

Useful Sentences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Japanese<\/strong><\/td>\nPronunciation<\/strong><\/td>\nMeaning<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u82f1\u8a9e\u306e\u30e1\u30cb\u30e5\u30fc\u306f\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/td>\nEigo no menyu wa arimasu ka?<\/td>\nDo you have an English menu?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u6ce8\u6587\u3092\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/td>\nChumon o onegaishimasu.<\/td>\nI would like to order.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u304a\u3059\u3059\u3081\u306f\u4f55\u3067\u3059\u304b\uff1f<\/td>\nOsusume wa nandesuka?<\/td>\nAny recommendations?<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u3053\u308c\u3092\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044<\/td>\nKore o kudasai.<\/td>\nThis one please.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

It is quite interesting that usually you will be served with a compulsory appetizer before making an order. The Japanese call it “otoshi” (\u304a\u901a\u3057). It costs around 300-500 yen and you cannot refuse to have it. This is an unspoken rule in izakayas so need not to be too surprised.<\/p>\n

Food<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Japanese<\/strong><\/td>\nPronunciation<\/strong><\/td>\nMeaning<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u304a\u901a\u3057<\/td>\notoshi<\/td>\ncompulsory appetizer that served before placing order<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u304a\u3064\u307e\u307f<\/td>\notsumami<\/td>\nsnacks (to have with a drink)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u6f2c\u7269<\/td>\ntsukemono<\/td>\npickles<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u679d\u8c46<\/td>\nedamame<\/td>\ngreen soybeans<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u7389\u5b50\u71d2<\/td>\ntamagoyaki<\/td>\ntamagoyaki (rolled omelette)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u713c\u304d\u9ce5<\/td>\nyakitori<\/td>\ngrilled chicken<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u9d8f\u306e\u5510\u63da\u3052<\/td>\ntori no kara-age<\/td>\nfried chicken<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u8edf\u9aa8\u306e\u5510\u63da\u3052<\/td>\nnankotsu no kara-age<\/td>\nfried cartilage<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u51b7\u5974<\/td>\nhiyayakko<\/td>\ncold tofu<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30cf\u30e0\u30ab\u30c4<\/td>\nhamu-katsu<\/td>\nfried ham<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30d5\u30e9\u30a4\u30c9\u30dd\u30c6\u30c8<\/td>\nfuraido-poteto<\/td>\nFrench fries<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u8c5a\u306e\u89d2\u716e<\/td>\nbuta no kakuni<\/td>\nbraised pork<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u725b\u3059\u3058\u306e\u716e\u8fbc\u307f<\/td>\ngy\u016bsuji no nikomi<\/td>\nstewed beef tendon<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u523a\u8eab\u76db\u308a\u5408\u308f\u305b<\/td>\nsashimi moriawase<\/td>\nsashimi platter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u304a\u8336\u6f2c\u3051<\/td>\nochazuke<\/td>\nchazuke (rice with tea)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u96d1\u708a<\/td>\nzosui<\/td>\nhodgepodge\/ porridge<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\"\"
Edamame (\u679d\u8c46)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
yakitori (\u713c\u304d\u9ce5)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
kara-age (\u5510\u63da\u3052)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
tamagoyaki (\u5375\u713c\u304d)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are different kinds of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks served in iazakayas.<\/p>\n

Drinks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Japanese<\/strong><\/td>\nPronunciation<\/strong><\/td>\nMeaning<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30d3\u30fc\u30eb<\/td>\nbiru<\/td>\nbeer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u751f\u30d3\u30fc\u30eb<\/td>\nnamabiru<\/td>\ndraught beer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30a6\u30a3\u30b9\u30ad\u30fc<\/td>\nwisuki<\/td>\nwhiskey<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u65e5\u672c\u9152<\/td>\nnihonshu<\/td>\nsake<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u713c\u914e<\/td>\nshochu<\/td>\nshochu\/ liquor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u6885\u9152<\/td>\numeshu<\/td>\nplum wine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u679c\u5b9f\u9152<\/td>\nkajitsushu<\/td>\nfruit wine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30ce\u30f3\u30a2\u30eb\u30b3\u30fc\u30eb\u98f2\u6599<\/td>\nnon-arukoru<\/td>\nnon-alcoholic drinks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30a6\u30fc\u30ed\u30f3\u8336<\/td>\n\u016broncha<\/td>\noolong tea<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30b8\u30f3\u30b8\u30e3\u30fc\u30a8\u30fc\u30eb<\/td>\njinja-eru<\/td>\nginger ale<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30aa\u30ec\u30f3\u30b8\u30b8\u30e5\u30fc\u30b9<\/td>\norenji-jusu<\/td>\norange juice<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30ab\u30eb\u30d4\u30b9<\/td>\nkarupisu<\/td>\nCalpis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

You will be asked how to serve your drink when you order liquor or fruit wine. For example, staff will serve you plum wine on the rocks (with ice) when you order “\u6885\u9152\u3001\u30bd\u30fc\u30c0\u5272\u308a\u3067”. Just feel free to choose the style you like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Japanese<\/strong><\/td>\nPronunciation<\/strong><\/td>\nMeaning<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30b9\u30c8\u30ec\u30fc\u30c8<\/td>\nsutoreto<\/td>\nstraight\/ neat<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30ed\u30c3\u30af<\/td>\nroku<\/td>\non the rocks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u6c34\u5272\u308a<\/td>\nmitsu-wari<\/td>\nwith water<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u304a\u6e6f\u5272\u308a<\/td>\n0yu-wari<\/td>\nwith hot water<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u30bd\u30fc\u30c0\u5272\u308a<\/td>\nsoda-wari<\/td>\nwith soda<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

3. Okawari (\u304a\u304b\u308f\u308a) and “shime” (\u30b7\u30e1)<\/h2>\n

When you want to order the same thing again, there is a convenient saying “okawari kudasai” (\u304a\u304b\u308f\u308a\u4e0b\u3055\u3044). It means “please give another (one)”. If you go to an izakaya with Japanese they may suggest ordering “shime” (\u30b7\u30e1) near the end of drinking. “Shime” in fact is not the name of a dish but it refers to the “the action of making the last order and finish today’s drinking”. Japanese usually order food like rice balls, ramen, udon or ochazuke, etc. as the ending dish.<\/p>\n

4. Leaving izakaya<\/h2>\n

Staff will come up to you with the bill when you ask for it. You can say ” gochisosama deshita” (\u3054\u3061\u305d\u3046\u3055\u307e\u3067\u3057\u305f) to thank the staff and the chef for the meal.<\/p>\n

Useful Sentences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Japanese<\/strong><\/td>\nPronunciation<\/strong><\/td>\nMeaning<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u304a\u4f1a\u8a08\u3092\u304a\u9858\u3044\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002<\/td>\nokaike o onegaishimasu.<\/td>\nMay I have the bill please.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u3054\u3061\u305d\u3046\u3055\u307e\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002<\/td>\ngochisosama deshita.<\/td>\nThank you for the meal.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Izakaya is a kind of casual Japanese bar for after-work drinking and gatherings. You can<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3881,"featured_media":60071,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,2,21],"tags":[9993,9887,9992,9994],"class_list":["post-60004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-life","category-travel","category-travel-tutorial","tag-alcohol-drinks","tag-all-prefectures","tag-izakaya","tag-yakitori"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.likejapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.likejapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.likejapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.likejapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3881"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.likejapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=60004"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.likejapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60004\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":60102,"href":"https:\/\/www.likejapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/60004\/revisions\/60102"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.likejapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60071"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.likejapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=60004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.likejapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=60004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.likejapan.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=60004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}