What is an Izakaya?
Izakaya is basically the mixture of bar and a restaurant, somewhere where you go with your friends to drink, eat and have some fun. In Japan, you can find izakaya’s almost anywhere the name itself is combined from Kanji (Chinese character) 居 = (stay, inhabit), 酒 = (alcohol), 屋= (house, shop). Because in the Japanese drinking culture is usual to eat while you drink and not just keep pouring alcohol down your throat and that why many izakaya feel closer to a restaurant than a bar. In Izakaya’s usually the drinks and food are cheap compared to normal bar or restaurant and in some of the izakaya’s have all you can drink in them, it is usually around 1000 – 3000 for two hours and you can drink as much as you want (alcohol and non-alcohol), but the from the food you have to pay extra, though the food is usually also very cheap and you usually buy it with friends and share. In Izakaya you always pay once you leave and not upfront or when you order something.
Why you should visit an Izakaya during your stay in Tokyo
Izakaya’s are unique, though you can find some of same kind of places in some countries, there is still always a bit of difference. In Izakaya they serve foods varying from Japanese, to different European once to even Mexican, it of course differs from the izakaya what they have in them. Even styles of izakaya’s differ a lot, some are traditional Japanese style where the table is middle of the sitting area and there is a hole under the table to but your feet in to. Some of the more expensive izakaya’s even have the waitresses and waiters in traditional Japanese cloths. Some are styled like a family diner and other are partly made on to the street like at the hoppy street in Asakusa.
You will get to know more about Japans culture and Japanese people, just going out to izakaya with Japanese friends and getting drunk while eating some snacks, there are not many things that bring people together and helps them to get to know each other like that. In izakayas there is not really music or if there it is, it is not loud enough to disturb the talking, making it perfect place to hang out for the evening with friends or making new once at.
It doesn`t have to be expensive (but it can be!). In big places such as Shibuya or Shinjuku there will be people walking outside, trying to get you into one of their bars. Sometimes they do have great deals for you so if you are looking for a place to go with friends and you haven`t decided anything yet, it doesn`t hurt to listen to some of those stories and receive some flyers. If you want to be certain of what you are going to spend at an Izakaya, you can always go to the shop that reads 270円, where everything you order is, 270 yen, or pick one of the all you can drink places and just keep track of your time
Which Izakaya can I go to?
You can just walk outside in a somewhat busier street and ask someone for a nearby Izakaya and you will definitely find one nearby. I guess there are people who have their own favorites list, but overall most izakaya’s are nice and always their own experience. Here a short list though with the most famous chain Izakaya`s you are bound to find in any of the busy centers of Tokyo.
- 和民 watami
- 白木屋 shirokiya
- 笑笑 warawara
- さくら水産 sakura suisan (specializes in dishes with fish)
- 甘太郎 amatarou
- つぼ八 tsubo hachi
Important VOCABULARY
Some words that are important when going to an Izakaya!!
- 居酒屋“Izakaya” – The name of the place- 飲み放題“Nomihoudai” - All you can drink!
- 終電“shuuden” - Last train
- お冷“o-hiya” - Although "mizu” means water as well, o-hiya is usually used at Izakaya’s when asking for water. Of course, free of charge.
- 日本酒“Nihonshu” - What in Japan sake is called
- 梅酒“umeshu” - Plum wine
-焼酎“shouchuu” - Japanese hard liquor made usually from rice, barley, sweet potatoes, buckwheat, or brown sugar
- お通し“otoshi” – It is a small appetizer plate or snack cup that you get at a bar, it usually means there is a seat charge in the place, (it might be included also to the all you can drink in izakaya)
