Japan’s Answer to the Neighborhood Pub:

If your image of Japanese food starts and ends with sushi and ramen, an izakaya is where that picture gets a whole lot bigger. These casual, pub-style restaurants are built around small shared plates, drinks, and a relaxed, social atmosphere, and they’re one of the best ways to experience the real depth of Japanese home-style and comfort food. Here’s what to expect and why it’s worth seeking one out.

What an Izakaya Actually Is

An izakaya is a casual restaurant and bar hybrid, centered on ordering a variety of small dishes to share across the table rather than each person ordering their own individual entree. The format is closer to tapas or small plates dining than a traditional Western sit-down meal: you order a handful of dishes, they arrive as they’re ready, and everyone digs in together, ordering more as the evening goes on.

Izakaya are typically loud, casual, and social, popular for after-work gatherings, group dinners, and celebrations, with drinking treated as an equal part of the experience alongside the food rather than a side note.

Chain Izakaya Worth Knowing

Chain izakaya are a reliable, easy entry point, especially if you’re not confident navigating a completely Japanese-only menu on your first visit.

Torikizoku is known for its affordable, all-items-one-price menu focused heavily on yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).
Watami is one of the largest and most recognizable chains nationwide, with a broad menu covering everything from fried dishes to hot pot.
Shirokiya and Tsukada Nojo are known for chicken-focused menus and a slightly more polished, date-friendly atmosphere than some rowdier chains.

Chains tend to have picture menus, sometimes English translations, and a predictable format, making them a comfortable starting point.

Why Independent, Local Izakaya Are Worth Seeking Out

Chains are convenient, but small, independently owned izakaya are where a lot of the real character lives. These smaller spots, often tucked into narrow alleys or basement levels, tend to have a more personal atmosphere, a shorter and more focused menu built around the owner’s specialties, and a genuine sense of neighborhood regulars mixed in with newer visitors. Don’t be put off by a tiny storefront or a menu that looks intimidating; these are often exactly the places locals recommend to each other, and part of the appeal is not knowing exactly what you’ll get until you’re there.

The Menu Will Likely Be Japanese Only, and That’s Okay

Many izakaya, especially independent ones outside major tourist areas, only have menus in Japanese, sometimes handwritten. This is genuinely one of the best ways to encounter Japanese dishes you won’t find at a typical tourist-oriented restaurant, well beyond ramen and sushi. Don’t let the language barrier stop you from going:

Your phone’s camera translation feature (built into Google Translate and similar apps) can read a menu in real time, even handwritten or stylized text often comes through well enough to get the gist.
Pointing at what other tables are having, or simply asking staff for a recommendation (“osusume wa nan desu ka,” meaning “what do you recommend”), works well even with minimal Japanese.
Staff at most izakaya are used to occasional confusion from customers of all backgrounds, and a genuine effort to figure out the menu is almost always met with patience.

The extra effort is worth it. Izakaya menus are where you’ll find the breadth of everyday Japanese cooking that rarely makes it onto an English-language menu elsewhere.

If You’re Not a Seafood Person, Give It One More Chance Here

A lot of travelers who don’t typically enjoy seafood assume that feeling will carry over to Japan, but it’s genuinely worth reconsidering at an izakaya. Fresh sashimi in Japan, particularly at a decent izakaya, doesn’t carry the strong “fishy” smell or taste that puts many people off seafood elsewhere, a difference that comes down to freshness and handling rather than the fish being fundamentally different. Grilled fish (yakizakana), simply salted and cooked whole or in fillets, is another approachable entry point, highlighting a clean, mild flavor rather than anything overpowering. If seafood has been a hard pass for you elsewhere, trying a small piece of sashimi or a plate of grilled fish at a good izakaya is one of the more worthwhile things to reconsider during your trip.

Drinks You Can Only Really Get in Japan

Izakaya drink menus go well beyond beer, and several categories are worth trying specifically because they’re difficult to find with the same quality or variety outside Japan.

Umeshu is a sweet, tangy plum liqueur, often served on the rocks, with soda, or straight, and it’s one of the most popular entry points into Japanese fruit liqueurs for people who don’t typically enjoy strong alcohol.
Other fruit liqueurs (chuhai bases) extend well beyond plum, with flavors like yuzu, grape, and peach commonly available, generally lighter and sweeter than Western liqueurs.
Lemon sour is a highball-style drink combining shochu (a distilled spirit) with soda water and fresh lemon, extremely popular at izakaya and something of a defining modern izakaya drink, with countless regional and shop-specific variations.
Highballs (whisky and soda) are another izakaya staple, generally lighter and more refreshing than a Western-style whisky and soda, often served in tall glasses specifically suited to pairing with food.

Most izakaya offer a wide range of these drinks by the glass, making it easy to try several different options across an evening without committing to a full bottle of anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to go to an izakaya alone?

Yes, particularly at counter-seating spots, though the group-sharing format is generally built with multiple people in mind. Solo visitors are welcome, but an izakaya is arguably at its best with at least two or three people to share a wider range of dishes.

How much should I expect to spend at an izakaya?

For a casual evening with a handful of shared dishes and a couple of drinks per person, a reasonable budget is roughly 3,000 to 5,000 yen per person, though this varies by location and how much you order.

Do izakaya have a cover charge?

Many do, a small per-person seating charge (otoshi) that typically comes with a small starter dish automatically served when you sit down. This isn’t optional and isn’t a scam; it’s a standard part of izakaya pricing.

Is it rude to order just one dish and nurse a single drink for a long time?

It’s generally expected that you’ll order a few rounds of food and drinks over the course of your visit, rather than just one item, given the shared, multi-course nature of an izakaya meal.

Next Steps

Don’t skip izakaya just because the menu looks intimidating or is entirely in Japanese. Bring a translation app, order a handful of small dishes to share, try the sashimi or grilled fish even if seafood usually isn’t your thing, and round it out with an umeshu or a lemon sour, both well worth experiencing while you’re in Japan.

This post is part of an ongoing series on Japan travel planning. Check back for more guides on Japanese food and dining etiquette.

Rakuten Travel is one of Japan’s largest and most popular domestic travel booking platforms. It features an extensive database of hotels, ryokan, resorts, and other accommodations across Japan, making it an excellent choice for travelers looking to book stays throughout the country. Available in your language.

First Izakaya Experience: Japanese Food You’ve Never Heard Of

Izakaya/Japanese Tapas