The Art of Unwinding

An izakaya is a typical Japanese bar where people enjoy coming for a drink and a bite to eat. The welcome is warm and the atmosphere always cheerful. This is where employees meet after the day’s work to believe stress and have a good time together.

The history of the izakaya began in the Edo period (1603-1868) when a sake merchant serving a few tasting glasses in a corner of his shop decided to offer some dishes of local specialties to snack on. Little by little, men got into the habit of spending time in this kind of place after work, having a drink, eating a little something and talking with the boss and other patrons. The izakaya soon became a popular place for people to meet up for a chat.

The Growing Popularity of Izakaya

In the 1970s these places were more reserved for office workers, the salarymen. In the 1980s, izakaya chains developed, the model evolved towards larger rooms for groups, as well as closed spaces for small parties. Extensive menus with dishes began to be offered at low prices, and the interior design of the place became more important.

Today izakaya are popular with everyone, from students to salarymen, men and women, for an after-work drink among colleagues or a party with friends until the end of the night.

When The Japanese Let Go

Going to an izakaya with colleagues after work is a cultural habit in Japan. Here, with the help of a drink or two, people open up and let go, the pressure of work is lifted, and the barriers fall. While the Japanese are generally very reserved, in an izakaya the atmosphere is very lively, it’s a nomikai (literally a gathering to drink). People chat loudly, laugh, drink, and it’s not uncommon to see them leaving red-faced and unsteady. In the early morning, you can often see those who couldn’t get home, sleeping on the floor at the entrance of a train station or on the train platform. You’ll often find izakaya in major train stations, open from 5pm to 5 in the morning!

Family Cooking

A traditional izakaya is a small establishment, open from about 5pm to midnight. You’ll easily spot it in the street thanks to its red lantern (aka chochin), a few tables and a long counter. The welcome is always warm. They offer simple home cooking or regional specialties. For example, a fisherman’s family could open an izakaya to offer dishes based on fresh local seafood.

The Customs of an Izakaya

Upon arrival, you are welcomed and, soon seated, the server offering you a hot towel to clean your hands. The menu is already on the table. The Japanese tend to order drinks right away (“Toriaezu biiru” is common: “First of all, I’ll have a beer!”).
Beers are usually brought with an otoshi (a small dish with an appetizer of edamame or pickled vegetables) to snack on before ordering.

Make a toast with the beers by exclaiming “kampai!” (“cheers!”) And order a variety of small dishes that everyone shares, similar to tapas. Start with a few, it’s easy to order additional dishes at any time. Often there’s a bell on the table that allows you to call a server at any time to place a new order.

At an izakaya, there is always something to drink. You are always offered draft beer, often with regional sake (or shochu). Costing between 300 and 600 yen per glass, you can choose between beer, sake, shochu, wine, whiskey, a cocktail or a chu-hai, a typical izakaya drink consisting of shochu with a base of syrup or fruit juice and soda. We also recommend the ume sour, a mixture of umeshu and soda water.

In addition, there is also always something to eat, with prices ranging between 300 and 800 yen per plate. You’ll find all the mainstays of Japanese cuisine. It’s great, because you can taste a bit of everything in one place by sharing with your friends. Yakitori, karaage, assorted sashimi, salads, fries, noodles, rice dishes, and even desserts.

Beware, however – in Japan the drinking age is 20 years old, and there are sometimes age checks to enter an izakaya. Coming with children is usually possible, but if you do, choose a large establishment, arrive when it opens and request a non-smoking booth.

An izakaya has to be experienced while in Japan – go and enjoy the special atmosphere of these Japanese bars.