Stopping by an izakaya is a fun item to add to any traveler’s list when visiting Japan. Usually casual joints that come in many shapes and sizes, izakaya offer all manner of small bites (similar to tapas in that sense), drinks (beer and Japanese sake at the forefront), and are typically packed with coworkers and friends unwinding after a long day. They’re everywhere, too, and usually easily recognizable by their bright red lanterns that begin to glow as the sun goes down.
Recently, drinks and deals website Kakuyasu was curious to learn more about Japanese people’s preferences for izakaya, so they distributed a short survey to everyone subscribed to their mail magazine. A relatively small sample of 162 people responded with the average age being 50.7, but they still shed an interesting light on how people go about choosing which izakaya to visit, especially when it’s for the first time. Let’s take a look at the two questions and results below.
Q1: What are the important factors for you when selecting an izakaya? [multiple selections possible]
● Atmosphere: 62.3 percent
● Food selection, especially in-house specialties: 60.5 percent
● Good value: 50 percent
● Alcohol lineup: 42.6 percent
● Location/ease of access: 42.6 percent
● The friendliness of the owner and staff: 38.3 percent
● Service: 25.3 percent
● Hours of operation: 17.3 percent
● Buzzworthiness: 0.6 percent
● Other: 10.5 percent
Interestingly, the most important variable for choosing an izakaya at 62.3 percent turned out to be the atmosphere of the joint as a whole–more so than anything to be consumed. It appears that customers are more attuned than ever these days to the overall vibe of an establishment. In addition, while the longstanding image of izakaya is of a place that primarily serves drinks with food on the side, these survey takers appeared to prioritize the food even more.
Q2: How do you choose a new izakaya to visit for the first time? [multiple selections possible]
● Outward appearance–exterior looks, including signs, banners, menu, etc.: 63.6 percent
● Web reviews–Tabelog, Gurunavi, etc. (popular Japanese dining review sites): 53.7 percent
● Recommendations from friends and acquaintances: 41.4 percent
● Google Maps: 13.6 percent
● Social media: 9.9 percent
● TV shows, written accounts, magazines: 7.4 percent
● Other: 7.4 percent
In response to the second question, it turns out that Japanese diners really do choose a book by its cover because outward appearance turned out to be the top factor for selecting a new izakaya to visit for the first time at 63.6 percent. If the atmosphere of the place and the selection of food available are of tremendous importance as well according to the results of the first question, then it makes sense that diners want a sense of what the vibe is and to view the menu first before committing to going in.
One other factor that readers may want to note that’s not reflected in either of the above responses is whether smoking is allowed inside the izakaya. While a nationwide indoor smoking ban in restaurants went into effect in Japan for the first time ever in April 2020, very small eateries and izakaya are often exempt from this rule–so just be sure to check first if smoking is a dealbreaker for you (zenseki kinen is the Japanese term used to indicate a smoke-free restaurant). Izakaya come in all forms, though, so there’s bound to be a good fit somewhere for whatever you’re looking for, even if you just feel like drinking alone.
Source: PR Times
Read more stories from SoraNews24.
-- Japan has a new bar just for people who want to drink alone
-- We create a Japanese izakaya pub at home with an amazing all-in-one kitchen gadget
-- “Is it acceptable to go to a family restaurant for your first date?” Japanese survey asks
- External Link
- https://soranews24.com/2023/08/08/survey-responds-to-the-most-important-factors-when-deciding-which-izakaya-to-go-to/
12 Comments
Login to comment
JeffLee
The cigarette smoking and the increasing monopoly of Asahi Superdry beer are what have driven me away from izakaya in recent years.
I used to love going when I first came to Japan, but no more. The last place in my neighborhood NOT to have SuperDry (Malts and Premium) gave in to the monopoly about a year ago. Anyway the main floor is smoking and upstairs is non-smoking, although the space is mostly families with very young children and has the atmosphere of a family restaurant. So we don't go anymore.
Thankfully there are now a decent number of British pubs in Tokyo, including the suburbs, that are smoke-free, have a rich and diverse choices of quality beers, great food and lively social vibe. Also a neighborhood Korean yaki-niku place stocks Yebisu beer, is no smoking and the food is great. Reservations required even on weekdays. Which just goes to show...
CuteUsagi
No SMoking
falseflagsteve
Ooh, I don't mind the smoking you see, oh yeah I'm very tolerant. I like nice big places anyway, don't notice smell,lol.
I avoid foreign style pubs, prices are usually OTT, you see
餓死鬼
One of the most interesting dishes I’ve tried here, a plate of deep-fried scorpions, was at an otherwise regular-looking izakaya in Moriyama, Shiga. Pretty much took the place of pork scratchings and went down very nicely with beer. It’s fun to see something on the menu other than the standard fare.
falseflagsteve
Deep fried scorpions!!! Yucky wucky!
I’d also advise to avoid tourist areas, usually food is not great and prices can be horrific. Tried a few in central Nara, you see, never again.
I stick to local ones, some blinding ones at that underground place next to Nishi Umeda. Must be over 50 there 50! Can you believe it?
Strangerland
They might be good - it's basically just a land-lobster.
餓死鬼
Just think of them as ready salted crisps.
The ones I had were small and not very meaty. Basically eating deep-fried chitin, which mostly tasted of salt and oil (which isn’t a bad thing either).
Strangerland
I've had deep-fried 桜エビ (sakura-ebi - tiny little shrimp) that I would basically describe as you just did. It was a good snack while drinking.
餓死鬼
Ah yes, I live near Suruga Bay so I know those tiny critters a little. One of the main catches here, if I remember right, along with fish like shirasu and aji. Speaking of which, I did also try a bowl of fresh whitebait with a raw quail egg on rice here once. Not bad, but I think I prefer little scorpions or sakura-ebi to that fish jelly.
Strangerland
I had them when visiting Shizuoka, so that all lines up! I had the local shirasu as well, though I don't like it so much.
Roy Sophveason
Avoid Namba. Got it.
Yes. Anyone who lives in Osaka can adam-and-eve that there's more than fifty izakaya in the basement of Osaka Ekimae Daini and Daisan. Only tourists think the place is a secret.
TrevorPeace
Back to the article's theme - in all my travels to Japan, and there have been many of them, I've never seen an izakaya with a sign that said 'pub', or even a graphic of a pint of ale. Forget the lanterns and kanji. But, I have to agree with @JeffLee - I'll look for an English pub, maybe an Irish one, when I return in October.