Discover Japan's Nightlife: Welcome to Snack Bars!

Food

Learn Japanese at Izakayas and bars. The best places to learn languages!

When traveling in Japan, visiting an izakaya (Japanese pub) or bar is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in local culture. To make the most of your experience, it helps to know some essential Japanese phrases. Here’s a guide to the most useful expressions to use when you’re out enjoying Japan’s vibrant drinking scene.

Greetings

  1. こんにちは (Konnichiwa) – “Hello”
    • A friendly greeting when you enter the establishment.
  2. こんばんは (Konbanwa) – “Good evening”
    • Used in the evening to greet others.
  3. すみません (Sumimasen) – “Excuse me” or “Sorry”
    • This is a versatile phrase used to get the attention of the staff, apologize, or thank someone politely.

Ordering Drinks and Food

  1. メニューをください (Menyū o kudasai) – “Can I have the menu, please?”
    • Ask for the menu to see the available options.
  2. おすすめは何ですか？ (Osusume wa nan desu ka?) – “What do you recommend?”
    • Ask for the staff’s recommendations, often leading to the best dishes or drinks.
  3. ビールを一つください (Bīru o hitotsu kudasai) – “One beer, please”
    • Use this phrase to order a beer. Replace “ビール (Bīru)” with any drink or dish you want to order.
  4. お酒をもう一杯ください (Osake o mō ippai kudasai) – “Another glass of sake, please”
    • Use this when you want another round of drinks.
  5. これをください (Kore o kudasai) – “I’ll have this, please”
    • Point to an item on the menu or a dish on display when ordering.

＼Would you like to enjoy interacting with locals in Tokyo?／

Explore Tokyo tours.

Drinks and Dishes

  1. 生ビール (Nama bīru) – “Draft beer”
    • Freshly poured beer from the tap, a popular choice in izakayas.
  2. 焼酎 (Shōchū) – “Shochu”
    • A Japanese distilled spirit, often enjoyed with water or on the rocks.
  3. 日本酒 (Nihonshu) – “Sake”
    • Traditional Japanese rice wine, served hot or cold.
  4. やきとり (Yakitori) – “Grilled chicken skewers”
    • A popular dish in izakayas, consisting of various parts of the chicken grilled on skewers.
  5. 串カツ (Kushikatsu) – “Deep-fried skewers”
    • Skewers of meat, seafood, or vegetables, breaded and deep-fried to perfection.

      If you want to enjoy a tour of Japan's hidden alleyways, I recommend the "Snack Alley" tour.

At the Table

  1. 乾杯 (Kanpai) – “Cheers”
    • The essential phrase for toasting. Raise your glass and say “Kanpai” before taking a sip.
  2. いただきます (Itadakimasu) – “Let’s eat”
    • Said before starting a meal, it expresses gratitude for the food.
  3. おいしいです (Oishii desu) – “It’s delicious”
    • Compliment the chef or staff when you enjoy your food.
  4. おかわり (Okawari) – “Refill”
    • Use this to ask for another serving of a dish or drink.

Pay the Bill

  1. お会計をお願いします (O-kaikei o onegai shimasu) – “The bill, please”
    • Request the bill when you’re ready to leave.
  2. 別々にお願いします (Betsu-betsu ni onegai shimasu) – “Separate checks, please”
    • Use this if you want to split the bill among your group.
  3. ごちそうさまでした (Gochisō-sama deshita) – “Thank you for the meal”

Useful Tips

  • Politeness: Being polite goes a long way in Japan. Using “お願いします (onegaishimasu)” after requests and “ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu)” for thanks can enhance your experience.
  • Pointing: If you’re unsure of the pronunciation, pointing to the menu item or drink can be very effective.
  • Non-verbal Cues: A smile and a nod can communicate appreciation and friendliness even if there’s a language barrier.

Izakayas and bars are the best places to practice languages.

Learning a few key Japanese phrases can significantly enhance your experience when visiting izakayas and bars in Japan. Not only does it show respect for the local culture, but it also allows you to connect more deeply with the people and enjoy your time to the fullest. So, next time you find yourself in a cozy Japanese pub, use these phrases and dive into the rich world of Japanese dining and drinking culture. Cheers, or as they say in Japan, 乾杯 (Kanpai)!

We offer Izakaya and Snak Bar tour! Let’s learn Japanese with a professional guide!

Join the "Pub Crawl Tour" to enjoy pubs you can't enter without a guide!

Tours HERE 

Let’s go to Izakaya and a Japanese Snack-bar with a fun guide!!

You can enjoy many kinds of food at Izakaya and drinking culture Snack Bars, beloved by many　but you can’t enter without a guide. You can enjoy communication with the owner and other customers, as well as singing karaoke, allowing for a relaxing time.

Most snack bars have a policy of refusing entry to foreigners. However, with a tour, you’ll have a guide, so you can enter with peace of mind.

When visiting Japan, don’t just check off the tourist spots –
dive into local experiences for an unforgettable journey!

Once you experience it, you’ll be captivated too! The charm of snack bars.

New encounters with people! The camaraderie of singing at a snack bar! Conversations with the mama-san!

BOOK HERE