Welcome to an Immersive Experience at Japanese Snack Bars!

📘 Previous articles in this series
Part 1: What Are Snack Bars? From Their Origins to Today — And Why There Are More Snack Bars Than Convenience Stores
Part 2: The Unique Charm of Snack Bars — Deep, Immersive Experiences You Can Only Find Here
Part 3: Five Tips for Finding the Right Snack Bar for You

Throughout this series, I—Mayuko Igarashi, also known as “Suna-Jo,” a snack bar enthusiast who has visited over 1,200 snack bars across Japan—have shared the charm of snack bars and how to enjoy them.

In this final installment, I’ll focus on snack bar etiquette—the unspoken rules that help everyone enjoy these spaces comfortably.
Because snack bars are places built on conversation and connection with Mamas and regular guests, there are a few important customs worth keeping in mind.
Let’s go through the key points together so you can enjoy snack bars smoothly and respectfully.

Ask for the Mama’s Permission Before Entering

Unlike izakaya or restaurants, entry to a snack bar is often decided at the Mama’s discretion.
She carefully considers the personalities of her regulars and the overall atmosphere of the bar to maintain a space where everyone feels comfortable.

For this reason, even if there are empty seats, don’t walk in and sit down on your own.
Greet the Mama first and politely ask if it’s okay to enter.

Keep a Respectful Distance from Regulars

Regular customers play an essential role in snack bars.
However, it’s considered poor manners for first-time visitors to force conversations with regulars just to become friendly.

At first, be mindful not to make others uncomfortable and maintain an appropriate distance.
At some point, the Mama will naturally create opportunities for interaction—trust her judgment and enjoy conversations as they unfold organically.

Finding common ground through small exchanges is the key to gradually building rapport with regulars.

Choose Karaoke Songs That Match the Mood

Karaoke is one of the great joys of snack bars, but it’s important to remember that it’s not a solo performance space.
The true spirit of snack bar karaoke is singing together and sharing the moment.

To avoid disrupting the atmosphere, try not to:

• Follow a slow ballad with an intense, high-energy song

• Sing songs known only to a small niche audience

• Choose music that doesn’t fit the mood of the room

• Pick artists far removed from the age range of the guests

• Dominate the karaoke queue

• Block the karaoke screen by moving around unnecessarily

If you’re unsure what to sing, checking the karaoke tablet’s history or search function can help—you’ll see what songs are popular by generation.

If you still can’t decide, ask the Mama for advice.
Karaoke is never mandatory; if you’re not in the mood, it’s perfectly fine to skip your turn.
That said, be sure to applaud after others sing and avoid comments that might dampen the mood.

How to Enjoy Snack Bars While Traveling in Japan

When planning a trip to Japan, I highly recommend adding snack bars to your itinerary—even in smaller towns, there’s often at least one.
Snack bars allow you to interact with local residents and gain insights only locals can offer, making them ideal for travelers unfamiliar with the area.

A great approach is to visit a snack bar on your first night, then use the information you gain to enrich the rest of your trip.
As mentioned earlier, snack bars often function like informal tourist information centers, offering tips you won’t find online or in guidebooks.

That said, many snack bars operate on a membership basis, so you may not always be able to enter on your own.
If you’d like to try a higher-barrier snack bar, consider one of the following options.

Go with a Local Friend

The easiest and most reassuring way is to visit a snack bar with a local friend or acquaintance who already frequents one.
Going together makes it easy to learn etiquette and enjoy the experience naturally.

Because the community is already established, your friend can help introduce you to the Mama and regulars—often leading to deeper conversations and quicker connections than visiting alone.

Highly Recommended for International Visitors: Join a Snack Bar Tour®

Going with a local friend would be ideal—but it’s not always possible when traveling.
For international visitors, language barriers and Japan’s culture of reading the room can make snack bars feel especially intimidating.
And from the snack bar side, the environment for welcoming foreign guests is not always fully prepared.

That’s why I recommend the Snack Bar Tour®, organized by Snack Yokocho, the company I represent.

This tour solves many common concerns at once while offering a rich, memorable experience.
Another highlight is that all participating snack bars are personally selected by me as a snack bar enthusiast.

Overview of the Snack Bar Tour®

What You’ll Experience

• Enter members-only snack bars with an experienced guide

• Enjoy an interactive, entertainment-focused experience—not just bar hopping

• Explore hidden alleyways and bar districts not found in guidebooks

• Interact with Mamas and regulars in an authentic setting

Locations
Various areas in Tokyo (Shimbashi, Shinjuku, Ginza), Osaka, and more

Average Duration
Approximately 2.5 hours (varies by tour)

How to Join
Reservations via the official website

Price
From ¥18,000 per person
Reservations usually start from two people
Prices vary by tour

For more details, please visit the official Snack Yokocho website.

Conclusion

In this series, I—Suna-Jo Mayuko Igarashi—have shared the appeal of snack bars, how to choose them, and how to enjoy them.

Snack bars are rare spaces where you can experience genuine connection and a sense of togetherness through conversations with Mamas and regulars.
They are also surprisingly accessible, existing all across Japan.

When you visit Japan, I hope you’ll step into a local snack bar and experience its warmth for yourself.
It may just become one of the most unforgettable, deeply human experiences of your journey.