Japan Travel Guides: Food, Drink & Nightlife

Complete guides for travelers in Japan — ramen styles and ordering, sushi etiquette and omakase, yakiniku wagyu cuts, karaoke venues, bar hopping, and izakaya tips. Everything you need to eat, drink, and explore Japan's nightlife.

38 guides · showing 1–10

Japanese Drinking Culture··Updated Sep 2026·5 min read

Tokyo Listening Bars and Jazz Kissa: What They Are and How to Behave

A visitor's guide to Tokyo's listening bars and jazz kissa (jazz cafés): the etiquette, what a night costs, and well-known rooms in Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ebisu and Koenji to start with.

Area Guides··5 min read

Kyoto at Night: Bars, Pontocho, and Quiet Evening Spots

A guide to Kyoto nightlife for travelers: Pontocho, Kiyamachi, Gion, sake bars, craft beer, and respectful evening etiquette.

Area Guides··5 min read

Roppongi Nightlife: What to Expect Before You Go

A practical guide to Roppongi nightlife for visitors: bars, clubs, international atmosphere, safety, prices, and best ways to enjoy it.

Area Guides··6 min read

Shinjuku vs Shibuya Nightlife: Where Should You Go Out?

A traveler-focused comparison of Shinjuku and Shibuya nightlife: bars, food, clubs, safety, last train, and best areas.

Area Guides··6 min read

Tokyo vs Osaka Nightlife: Which Is Better for Bar Hopping?

A practical comparison of Tokyo and Osaka nightlife for travelers: atmosphere, costs, food, bar density, transport, and where to go.

Food & Dining Guides··5 min read

What Is Oden? Japan's Winter Drinking Food

A guide to oden, the warm Japanese winter dish often eaten with sake, shochu, and beer at izakayas and convenience stores.

Japanese Drinks··4 min read

What Is Hoppy? Tokyo's Classic Cheap Drink Explained

A guide to Hoppy, the retro Tokyo drink mixed with shochu: history, how to order it, pricing, and where to try it.

Japanese Drinking Culture··5 min read

What Is a Snack Bar in Japan?

An explanation of Japanese snack bars: what they are, how they differ from regular bars, pricing, etiquette, and whether tourists should visit.

Japanese Drinking Culture··5 min read

Standing Bars in Japan: What Is Tachinomi?

A guide to tachinomi standing bars in Japan: how they work, what to order, etiquette, prices, and where to find them.

Practical Guides & Entertainment··5 min read

Can You Go Bar Hopping Alone in Japan?

A guide to solo bar hopping in Japan: where to go, how to choose bars, what to expect, and how to make it comfortable.