Izakaya 101: How to Drink, Eat, and “Kanpai” Like a Japanese Local
You’ve seen the red paper lanterns (aka-chochin) glowing on the streets. You hear laughter spilling out of sliding doors. You want to go in, but you’re not sure what it is.
Is it a bar? Is it a restaurant? It’s an Izakaya. And frankly, it’s the best place on earth.
An Izakaya is Japan’s “living room.” It’s where coworkers loosen their ties, where friends catch up, and where the food is just as important as the drink. But the rules are different here. Don’t worry, your friend is here to teach you the art of the Izakaya.
Rule #1: “Toriaezu Nama!” (Start with Beer)
In a Western restaurant, you might look at the menu for 10 minutes before ordering a drink. In an Izakaya, speed is key.
When you sit down, the waiter will come immediately. Even if you haven’t decided on food, just say the magic phrase: “Toriaezu Nama!” (Toh-ree-ah-eh-zoo Nah-mah).
It means: “For now, draft beer!” It’s the ritual. Everyone gets a beer, clinks glasses, shouts “Kanpai!” (Cheers!), and then you look at the menu. (Don’t drink beer? A “Lemon Sour” or “Highball” is perfectly acceptable too!)
Rule #2: Sharing is Caring (Japanese Tapas)
This is the biggest mistake tourists make. Do not order one big dish just for yourself.
Izakaya food is meant to be shared, like Spanish Tapas. You order 5 or 6 small dishes for the table. Everyone picks at everything with their chopsticks.
The “Must-Order” Starter Pack:
- Edamame: Boiled salted soybeans. The perfect beer match.
- Karaage: Japanese fried chicken. Juicier and ginger-y than Western fried chicken.
- Yakitori: Grilled chicken skewers. (Salt or Sauce? Try both).
- Tamagoyaki: Rolled Japanese omelet. Sweet and savory.
- Sashimi: A small plate of raw fish to start light.
Rule #3: The Magic of “Nomihoudai”
Look at the menu carefully. Do you see the word “Nomihoudai”? If you plan to drink more than 3 drinks, GET IT.
- What it is: All-You-Can-Drink.
- The Cost: Usually 1,500 to 2,500 JPY ($10-$17) for 90 or 120 minutes.
- The Rules: You can drink as much beer, cocktails, sake, and whisky as you want within the time limit. But you must finish your glass before ordering the next one.
It is the most dangerous and wonderful deal in Japan.
Rule #4: The “Call Button” (Don’t Be Shy)
Japanese waiters will not hover around your table asking “Is everything okay?” They leave you alone to enjoy your privacy.
If you want to order more, look for a call button on the table (it looks like a doorbell). Press it! “Ding-dong!” If there is no button, you have to be brave. Raise your hand and shout “Sumimasen!” (Excuse me!). Don’t wait for eye contact; just shout it out. It’s noisy in there, so be loud!
Rule #5: The “X” Sign
When you try to enter a popular Izakaya, the staff might look at you and cross their arms in an “X” shape. They aren’t being rude. They aren’t saying “No foreigners.” They are just saying “Full / No Seats.”
Just nod, say “Okay, thanks,” and go to the next place. There are thousands of Izakayas.
Rule #6: The “Shime” (The Finish)
After hours of drinking and eating chicken, Japanese people finish the night with carbs. We call this “Shime” (The Closing). Usually, this is a grilled rice ball (Yaki-onigiri) or a bowl of Ochazuke (rice with tea poured over it). It settles the stomach before you go home.
Ready to Kanpai?
The Izakaya is where you see the real Japanese people—laughing, complaining about their bosses, and enjoying life. It’s loud, smoky, and incredibly fun.
Don’t be afraid to slide open that door. And if you want to find the deeply local Izakayas that don’t have English menus (where the food is arguably better), let us take you. Our nightlife tours are basically just us being your drinking buddies for the night.
Kanpai!
