Izakaya Experience Toyooka

Izakaya are usually identified by a lantern or curtain located outside called a “noren”, but take a look at our izakaya map below to help you find your izakaya experience. You will find several different types of izakaya, from standing bars or “tachi-nomi” to more stylish bars like the izakaya Daimon, which specializes in handmade soba buckwheat noodles. All of the izakaya listed below have an English menu in addition to their regular Japanese one.
When you walk in, hold up the number of fingers for the number of people in your group to let the staff know how many seats you need. Most izakaya allow smoking inside everywhere, while a few have a non-smoking and smoking sections and even fewer are exclusively non-smoking.

NOTE: Don’t be offended if you get turned away, as izakaya tend to be small with just a few seats that fill up fast on busy nights and usually do not have waitlists. Take it in stride and stride into the next izakaya. Staff will sometimes signal to you that they are full by making an ‘X’ with their fingers or arms. Also, if you want to pay with a credit card, you should ask if they accept cards or not before you sit down.

FUN FACT: During the Edo Period, you could tell which establishments were the best and most popular by looking at their noren. The dirtier the noren the better, as customers would wipe their fingers on it as they left.

“Toriaizu Nama”, meaning “I’ll start with a beer,” is the motto of the izakaya. Your server will be ready to take your first drink order almost as soon as you sit. Shortly after you are seated, a server will bring you a wet cloth for wiping your hands and a small appetizer. The cloths are especially nice when they are warmed up in the winter to combat the cold. Your server will also give you a quick rundown of the menu, the way to call them for an order, and sometimes the night’s specialty.

NOTE: Most izakaya charge an automatic “otoshidai” (table charge) per person. This covers the charge of the appetizer brought out with your wet cloth (or the charge of entry if they do not provide an appetizer) and is part of the culture and custom of the izakaya.

CULTURAL NOTE: It is customary to wait to drink until everyone has received their drink. Once everyone has their drink in hand people usually do the customary “kanpai” (cheers), followed by a compulsory “Ahhhh!” after they finish their drink.

Take a look at the menu and find a few things you would like to try. Order a few dishes to start with, there’s no need to place your entire order at once. Rather, you can keep adding on dishes as you go. Japan doesn’t do to-go bags for leftovers, so most portions are small to avoid leftover food. They will bring out your dishes to you as they are made, so they may not arrive in the same order in which they were requested and will come out one at a time or in groupings. Also, if you are planning on visiting more than one izakaya, try ordering a couple of drinks and 2-3 dishes at each place, leaving room for more food and more izakaya experiences.

NOTE: There are several different ways to call your server to give your order. You can usually either call out “sumimasen” (excuse me) or push a button located on or near your table. Your server will inform you on how to call them when they seat you.

CULTURAL NOTE: All dishes in an izakaya are shared or family-style, similar to a tapas bar. Each item is portioned for 1-3 people. You will be given one small dish per person called a “tori-zara” so that you can take from the main plates and share with everyone at the table.

When you have had your fill and are ready to go, notify your server. They will bring you a printed receipt. Most izakaya will give you an itemized receipt so that you can see what you ordered and how much each item was. Others—usually the much smaller, local izakaya run by just a few staff—will give you a handwritten total on a piece of paper.

NOTE: If you wish to split the bill, it is best to do the math at your table and agree on how much everyone owes. Have one person collect the appropriate amount from everyone and pay the lump sum at the register. Most izakaya will have you pay at the register located near the shop’s exit.