Japan Izakaya Culture Guide: How to Eat & Drink at a Japanese Gastropub
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an izakaya?
An izakaya is a Japanese casual gastropub — an evening venue combining drinking and small-plate dining in a relaxed, social setting. The experience involves ordering multiple small dishes shared among the group alongside beer, sake, shochu, or highball drinks over several hours. It's the primary after-work and social gathering venue for Japanese adults, more casual than a restaurant and more food-focused than a bar.
What is the otoshi charge at an izakaya?
The otoshi (or tsukidashi) is a mandatory small appetizer that appears automatically at izakaya — it functions as a cover charge. A small seasonal dish (edamame, a pickle, a light starter) arrives without ordering and adds ¥300–¥700 per person to the bill. It cannot be refused; it's a standard part of izakaya economics. The dish is usually good; think of it as a cover charge or table bread equivalent.
What should I order at an izakaya for the first time?
Start with: edamame (salted soybeans), karaage (Japanese fried chicken), and yakitori skewers (chicken — try both salt/shio and tare/sweet soy versions). For drinks, say "toriaezu nama" for a draft beer to start. Sashimi moriawase (assorted raw fish) is excellent at most izakaya. The menu is designed for sharing, so order a little of many things rather than one large item each.
Do izakaya have English menus?
Many chain izakaya and izakaya in tourist areas have English menus or picture menus — enough to order with confidence. Smaller independent izakaya may have Japanese-only menus; pointing at other tables' dishes or using Google Translate's camera function on the menu is a common workaround. Many izakaya also have tablet ordering with Japanese visual menus that make picture selection easy.
What time do izakaya open and close?
Izakaya typically open in the late afternoon or early evening (17:00–18:00) and close between 23:00 and 02:00, with last orders 30–60 minutes before closing. They are busiest from 19:00 to 22:00 on weeknights. Weekends may see walk-in waits at popular locations; reservations are possible at most izakaya and recommended for large groups.