Japanese Izakaya MUST-KNOW Table Manners & Key Phrases

No trip to Japan is complete without a visit to a local izakaya. There, you'll find office workers gathering to refresh after a long workday with a cold glass of beer, groups of friends cheering to celebrate a special event, and travelers looking to make friends. Izakayas are typically affordable, accessible, and welcoming, but knowing a few etiquette rules is a great way to ensure a great dining experience.

Join Shizuka and Toni as they visit two izakaya restaurants and go over some of the key phrases, useful tips, and unwritten dos and don'ts for dining like a local. Did you know about all these rules, or were any of them surprising to you?

Check out more must-know izakaya phrases for your trip: bit.ly/3VtmSuf

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TIMELINE

00:00 Introduction
00:34 What is an Izakaya?
01:41 Phrase #1: How many people?
02:06 Tip #1
02:35 Vocab: Horigotatsu
02:48 Vocab: Oshibori
02:59 Tip #2
03:31 Phrase #2: "What would you like to drink?"
03:52 Phrase #3: "Beer for now!"
04:14 Phrase #4: "Cheers!"
04:39 Vocab: Otoshi
05:02 Phrase #5: "Let's eat!" or "Thank you for this meal."
05:39 Tip #3
06:29 What are some izakaya food staples?
06:51 Phrase #6: What are your recommendations?
07:14 Phrase #7: Excuse me!
07:29 Tip #4
07:49 Vocab: Chumon
08:24 Vocab: Torizara
08:47 Tip #5 (Chopstick Etiquette)
09:33 Tip #6
10:09 Phrase #8: Check Please!
10:44 Tip #7 (Cash or Card?)
11:19 Tip #8 (Tipping)
11:57 Phrase #9: Thank you for the meal!
12:28 Showtime: Trying it all out in Ueno, Tokyo!