Izakaya Bars

Izakaya are the traditional Japanese bars that are popular with Japanese businessmen for an after work drink, in recent years these bars have also gained in popularity with the younger Japanese drinker too. Traditionally to go along with your drinks small partitions of food are served at the Izakaya, giving this establishment a more of a restaurant feel.

When you enter the Izakaya you will be first offered a seat followed by a hot towel when the waiter comes to take your drink and food order. Traditional Izakaya’s use the famous Japanese low tables and cushions on the floor, many Izakaya today also feature more western style tables or long beer hall style tables and small stools in addition to the traditional Japanese table arrangement.

Yakatori, Gyoza dumplings, Guydon or small nibbles of fried chicken known as Tori Kara are common on a Izakaya menu with average prices ranging from about 200 to 500 yen.

Izakaya’s generally feature red paper lanterns at the front of their shop and on the inside menus of short bits of paper with Japanese text on them often decorate the walls. Many Izakaya may have a English menu available or even a menu with pictures of the dishes on them especially some of the larger chain types of Izakaya or the Izakaya’s you would likely to find in a shopping centre or a more touristy suburb. If all else fails just remember beer is pronounced biru and you cant go wrong with a few sticks of yakatori in your belly.