Kikkoman Corporation

An izakaya might be described simply as a typical Japanese pub—but in reality, it’s more of a bar cum restaurant serving up a wonderfully relaxed mix of camaraderie and comfort food. Found throughout the country, Japan’s izakaya are casual and inexpensive—places where friends, family, fellow-employees and students can gather and let off steam.

Some izakaya specialize in particular types of alcohol or regional dishes, but the typical izakaya serves a selection of drinks including beer, shochu (commonly distilled from barley, sweet potato or rice) and sake, accompanied by savory side dishes shared by groups at the table—all the ingredients necessary for a convivial evening.

Izakaya fare is tasty but very basic, intended to complement the drinks. Typically, foods are listed on hand-scrawled wooden placards—the menu—which are posted around the walls to catch the eye, and a few dishes are usually ordered with each round of drinks. In most establishments, a tempting selection of foods will usually provide a hearty meal: edamame, chilled tofu, sashimi, yakitori, grilled fish and vegetables, hot-pot dishes and onigiri are typical offerings.

Izakaya trace their origins to the Edo period (1603-1867), when simple teahouses called niuri-jaya selling dishes of simmered foods began to serve sake. In the cities, these shops began to stay open late to accommodate workers looking for an evening meal—and so the friendly neighborhood tavern was born.

As recently as the 1980s, izakaya were considered the province of company workers—most of whom were men. These days, though, izakaya clientele include women as well as family groups. One reason for this may be the growing number of very accessible izakaya franchises, some featuring theme settings and innovative menus; for example, one chic chain of izakaya specializes in tofu made right at your own table, while another emulates the primitive décor of centuries-old treasure houses.

Alongside these trendy izakaya, however, countless independent, down-to-earth and very traditional neighborhood izakaya continue to thrive: just look for a brightly lit red paper lantern hanging outside the door and the sound of laughter from within.