Japanese Drinking Etiquette: Kanpai, Pouring, and Table Manners

Japanese nightlife is relaxed and welcoming, but a few small etiquette rules can make your evening much smoother. You do not need to be perfect. Most bars and izakayas are used to visitors. Still, knowing how to toast, pour, order, and pay shows respect and helps you enjoy the night like a local.

Start with kanpai

The first drink usually begins with "kanpai" — cheers. Wait until everyone has a drink, raise your glass, say kanpai, and then take the first sip. In group settings, starting before the toast can feel a little rushed or impolite.

Beer is the classic first order. You will often hear "toriaezu biiru," meaning "beer for now." Even if people switch to sake, shochu, highballs, or cocktails later, beer is the social starting point.

Pour for others

In traditional group drinking, people pour for each other rather than filling their own glass. If someone near you has an empty glass, offer to pour. When someone pours for you, hold your glass with both hands or at least acknowledge it with a small nod.

This matters most at work dinners or formal gatherings. At casual tourist-friendly izakayas, nobody will mind if you pour your own drink, but the gesture is still appreciated.

Understand otoshi and cover charges

Many izakayas and bars serve a small dish automatically when you sit down. This is called otoshi or tsukidashi, and it works as a cover charge. It may be edamame, pickles, tofu, salad, or a small seasonal dish.

You pay for it whether you ordered it or not. This is normal in Japan. It is not a scam, though tourist-heavy areas sometimes cause confusion when the price is not clearly explained.

Do not tip

Tipping is not expected in Japan. In most cases, staff will refuse it or be confused by it. Good service is considered part of the job. If you want to show appreciation, say "gochisōsama deshita" when leaving. It means "thank you for the meal."

Order food with drinks

Japanese drinking culture is built around food. Izakayas are not just bars; they are places to eat small dishes while drinking. Order edamame, yakitori, sashimi, karaage, or other small plates throughout the evening.

If you are drinking sake, check our guide to sake snacks and pairings. If you are drinking beer, yakitori and fried foods are classic choices.

Be careful with nomihodai

Nomihodai means all-you-can-drink, but it still has rules. Do not order multiple drinks and leave them unfinished. Do not pressure others to keep up. The goal is to enjoy the group atmosphere, not to turn drinking into a contest.

Respect small bars

Tiny bars in places like Golden Gai may have only five or six seats. Keep your voice at a reasonable level, ask before taking photos, and do not occupy a seat for a long time with only one drink if the bar is busy. These spaces survive on regular customers and limited seating.

Useful phrases

• "Sumimasen" — Excuse me / to call staff
• "Kanpai" — Cheers
• "Osusume wa?" — What do you recommend?
• "Okaikei kudasai" — Check, please
• "Gochisōsama deshita" — Thank you for the meal

Japanese drinking etiquette is mostly about consideration: wait for the toast, share food, respect the space, and do not make things harder for staff or other guests. With those basics, you can enjoy almost any izakaya or bar confidently.