What to eat Japan? culinary specialties and gastronomy

The hours are random. If some restaurants serve continuously from 11am to midnight, the smaller ones have reduced hours: 11am-2pm for lunch, 6pm-10pm for dinner. Others remain open but no longer serve lunch after 2pm and offer a different menu.

Expect to pay ¥800 to ¥1,000 for a bowl of noodles or a small platter of sushi. There are water vending machines everywhere, but it is much cheaper to have a reusable bottle that you fill in parks, shopping malls or train stations. Water is safe to drink everywhere (unless otherwise stated). The tax is 8% on take-out orders and 10% on site.

Prices are usually quoted with and without taxes (10%). There are no nasty surprises at the checkout and no tipping is tolerated. A glass of fresh water or barley tea is always offered upon arrival, as well as a small towel to dry your hands. Payment is made at the cashier's desk when you leave. In small restaurants, a machine allows you to choose your dish and pay at the entrance. You then receive a ticket that you give to the waiter.

The type of cutlery in Japan depends on the menu. Most restaurants serving Japanese food will have only chopsticks, but a curry restaurant will have spoons. The portions can be quite small. Sometimes there is the possibility of getting a free refill of rice or the option of oomori, which is a larger portion of rice or pasta.

Some rules about chopstick use: don't stick your chopsticks in your dish, don't point your chopsticks at someone or something, and don't cross your chopsticks with another person's.

Smaller restaurants may not allow children into the restaurant, but most of them welcome them. Chairs and children's menus are often available.

The law has recently changed. As of April 2020, smoking is prohibited inside restaurants, with the exception of small bars and gargotes run by a single person or family, which have a small area. Until the law is enforced, restaurants sometimes have areas for smokers.

In busy neighborhoods, restaurants are often upstairs. Hustlers call out to passers-by on the street to invite them upstairs. It is better to check the menu and the prices before letting yourself be taken.

The hours are extremely variable. Many bars also serve coffee during the day from 11am. Bars that only open in the evening usually do so around 5pm. Most cafés close between 8 and 10 pm, and bars close at 2 am at the earliest.

Expect to pay at least ¥500 for a beer. Even if more and more establishments accept credit cards, it is better to have cash when you go to small bars. Many bars offer happy hours between 5pm and 7pm.

The consumption of alcohol is prohibited for minors (under 20 years old). The entry of minors into bars is not prohibited by law, however, and remains at the discretion of the establishment.

The izakaya are located between the restaurant and the bar. They serve small dishes like tapas, all washed down with alcohol. More spacious than the bars, they easily accommodate groups.

Since April 2020, smoking is prohibited inside restaurants, except for small bars and gargotes run by a single person or a family (very many).

Bars or theme cafes sometimes charge an entrance fee or table fee in addition to the drinks. The amount should always be specified on arrival.