Izakaya
居酒屋 Izakaya · Japan (nationwide) (Shinjuku Omoide Yokochō)
Japan after work: a draught beer, a few small dishes and a 'kanpai' across the counter with friends.
Antes de ir · Know before you go
- Don't argue with staff about the otōshi charge — it's customary
- Japan has no tipping culture and service is usually included, so there's no need to tip
Este artículo está «Sin verificar». Consulte los avisos oficiales sobre precios, horarios y fechas.
Culture
Cultura y costumbres
Contexto cultural
Izakaya are Japanese pubs where drink comes first and food second. Dishes are mostly designed for sharing, and everyone gets a small plate (torizara) for serving themselves.
Costumbres locales
- Once you're seated you'll be brought a small dish called 'otōshi' (also sakizuke) — often edamame, pickles or potato salad. It doubles as a cover charge and is billed even if you don't eat it
- people often order draught beer together for the first round and say 'kanpai' in unison
- dishes are ordered a few at a time and shared
Etiquette
Normas y tabúes
Normas que se aplican aquí
An izakaya's otoshi is a cover charge
- Accept the otoshi as an appetiser
- Arguing with staff about it or asking for it to be taken back
There is no penalty: before you order at an izakaya, a small dish of otoshi always arrives. It doubles as the cover charge and cannot be chosen or swapped.
Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: JNTO: drinking in Japan
No lo haga DON'T
- Don't argue with staff about the otōshi charge — it's customary
- Japan has no tipping culture and service is usually included, so there's no need to tip
Lo que aprecian los locales DO
- Locals appreciate guests who toast together before eating and share when ordering
- when paying, say 'gochisōsama deshita'.
Plan your visit
Información práctica
Consejos de viaje
- Popular izakaya need booking on weekend evenings
- some old places are still mainly cash-only
- Omoide Yokochō in Shinjuku and the arches under the tracks at Yūrakuchō are the places for an old-style izakaya
Photos
Fotos
Eden, Janine and Jim · CC BY 4.0
Mx. Granger · CC0
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