Japan Izakaya & Bar Guide
From smoky standing bars to world-class whisky lounges. This is how Japan drinks - and you should too.
My favorite spots, etiquette tips, and what to order when you have no idea.
Types of Drinking Spots
Japan has a bar for every mood and budget.
Izakaya
Japanese gastropub. Food and drinks together, casual atmosphere.
Price: ¥2,000-6,000
Best for: Groups, casual dining, first-timers
Order drinks first, food comes shared. Say 'toriaezu biiru' for beer to start.
Tachinomi (Standing Bar)
Stand-up drinking spots. Quick, cheap, efficient.
Price: ¥500-2,000
Best for: Budget drinking, quick stops, solo travelers
Usually near train stations. No reservations, high turnover. Order at counter.
Bar (Western-style)
Cocktail bars, whisky bars, hotel bars. More formal.
Price: ¥1,500-5,000+ per drink
Best for: Date nights, special occasions, whisky lovers
Many have cover charges (¥500-2,000). Dress smart casual.
Sake Bar
Specialized in nihonshu (sake). Often with food pairings.
Price: ¥3,000-8,000
Best for: Sake education, food pairing, authentic experience
Ask for recommendations by flavor preference (dry, sweet, fruity).
Shochu Bar
Focus on Japan's distilled spirit. Often from Kyushu region.
Price: ¥2,000-5,000
Best for: Spirit enthusiasts, something different
Can be served on rocks, with water (mizuwari), or hot water (oyuwari).
Whisky Bar
Japanese whisky specialists. Serious collections.
Price: ¥2,000-50,000+ per glass
Best for: Whisky collectors, rare pours, atmosphere
Yamazaki, Hakushu, Nikka are the big names. Ask about limited editions.
Where to Drink by City
Every city has its drinking districts. Here's where locals go.
Tokyo
Golden Gai (Shinjuku)
200+ tiny bars, 5-6 seats each. Intimate, quirky, sometimes foreigner fees.
Omoide Yokocho (Shinjuku)
Memory Lane. Yakitori smoke, narrow alleys, old-school Tokyo.
Yurakucho Under the Tracks
Salary man paradise. Cheap beer, grilled food, authentic.
Nonbei Yokocho (Shibuya)
Shibuya's answer to Golden Gai. Less touristy, local crowd.
Ginza
Upscale hotel bars, whisky lounges. Dress code territory.
Osaka
Dotonbori
Neon-lit, touristy but fun. Good for bar hopping.
Shinsekai
Retro, kushikatsu territory. Cheap standing bars.
Ura-Namba
Back streets of Namba. Local izakaya, less English.
Kitashinchi
Osaka's Ginza. Upscale bars, hostess clubs.
Kyoto
Pontocho
Narrow alley along the river. Atmospheric, pricey.
Gion
Geisha district. Traditional tea houses, upscale bars.
Kiyamachi
Younger crowd, more casual. Good variety.
Sapporo
Susukino
Hokkaido's biggest entertainment district. Everything from izakaya to clubs.
Tanukikoji
Covered arcade with local restaurants and bars.
What to Drink
The Japanese drinks menu, decoded.
Nama Biiru
生ビールDraft beer. Say 'nama' for short. Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, Suntory.
Highball
ハイボールWhisky and soda. Japan's favorite mixed drink. Refreshing.
Nihonshu/Sake
日本酒Rice wine. Can be warm (atsukan) or cold (reishu).
Shochu
焼酎Distilled spirit. Made from sweet potato, barley, or rice.
Chuhai
チューハイShochu + soda + fruit. Popular, easy drinking. Lemon is classic.
Umeshu
梅酒Plum wine. Sweet, often served on rocks or with soda.
Whisky
ウイスキーJapanese whisky is world-class. Suntory and Nikka dominate.
Drinking Etiquette
The unwritten rules of Japanese drinking culture.
Kampai First
Never drink before the group toast. Wait for glasses raised, say 'kampai!'
Pour for Others
Fill others' glasses before your own. Let them pour for you. It's social.
Two Hands
Hold glass with two hands when receiving a pour. Sign of respect.
Otoshi (Table Charge)
Small appetizer charged ¥300-800. Not a scam, it's standard.
Cover Charge
Many bars charge ¥500-2,000 to sit. Ask 'charge wa arimasu ka?'
Last Train
Trains stop around midnight. Taxis are expensive. Plan accordingly.
No Tipping
Never tip in Japan. It's confusing or even offensive.
Useful Phrases
Essential Japanese for the bar.
Toriaezu biiru
とりあえずビール
Beer for now (classic first order)
Nama kudasai
生ください
Draft beer please
Osusume wa?
おすすめは？
What do you recommend?
Okaikei
お会計
Check please
Mou ippai
もう一杯
One more drink
Nomihodai
飲み放題
All-you-can-drink (usually 2 hours)
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