Japan offers an amazing variety of culinary experiences, but there?s nothing like eating and drinking at an izakaya.
Going to an izakaya (a Japanese-style gastropub) is a quintessential, must-do Japanese experience, and one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in local Japanese culture.

At a local izakaya in Onomichi, Japan
Aside from being the perfect place to sample a delicious (and very eclectic) variety of Japanese foods ? from sashimi and fried foods, to tofu and seasonal vegetables ? dining and drinking at an izakaya is also a great way to mingle with locals.
And as an increasing number of people around the world discover that Japanese cuisine is much more than just sushi and ramen, izakayas have begun to pop up worldwide, from London and New York, to Sydney, Hong Kong and beyond. What is an izakaya"
An izakaya is where you go when you feel like eating and drinking among friends or coworkers in a relaxed and cheerful setting.
A hole-in-the-wall in Shibuya’s backstreets, Tokyo
The word “izakaya? is usually translated into English as some variation of “Japanese-style pub,? “Japanese tavern,? or “Japanese-style gastropub.?
We typically prefer ?gastropub,? because going to an izakaya is about both eating and drinking – rather than primarily one or the other. At the best izakayas, whether humble or high-end, the food and drink shine equally.
Most izakaya are casual establishments, filled with the sounds of animated conversati...