First Time at a Japanese Bar: FAQ & Manners

Rock bar FAQ

Japanese Phrases for Rock Bars →

Before you go: practical tips

The small things that trip up first-time visitors, from finding the door to getting home after the last train.

Finding the bar and getting in

• A closed door is normalMost rock bars are small rooms on an upper floor or in the basement of a building full of other bars, behind a door you can't see through. It doesn't mean you're unwelcome. Open it, hold up fingers for how many you are and say "Hairemasu ka?" (Can we come in?).
• Finding the right floorCheck the directory board at the building entrance or by the lift: "3F" is the 3rd floor and "B1" the first basement. Names are often written in Japanese, so look at the bar's photos and logo on its official social media before you go. Bars in the same building can play completely different music, so check the sign on the door.
• Ignore street toutsIn nightlife districts such as Kabukicho in Shinjuku or Minami in Osaka, people may approach you on the street. Don't stop and never follow anyone to a bar; rock bars don't use touts. Keep to the main streets with your map open and go straight to the address.
• "Full" is not "go away"Many bars have only around ten seats. If the staff cross their arms in an X or say "Manseki desu", it simply means the bar is full, not that visitors aren't welcome. Try again later or come back after a drink somewhere nearby.
• Walk-ins and private partiesMost rock bars welcome walk-ins. If you are a group of four or more, send the bar a message on its official social media first. Bars sometimes close for private parties or special events, which they usually announce there.
• Stairs and big bagsMany small bars are up steep, narrow stairs with no lift and have no room for suitcases or large backpacks. Leave big bags in a station coin locker or at your hotel first.
• Locked building at nightSome buildings lock their front entrance late at night. If you can't get in, check the bar's social media or send it a message rather than pressing random intercom buttons.
• Is it a real rock bar?Every bar on this site has been checked as a rock or metal bar, and we removed hostess clubs and similar places that showed up in searches. Even so, it's fine to ask the cover charge before you sit down, and if a place ever feels wrong, you can pay and leave.
• Going aloneSolo guests are common at rock bars. Sit at the counter, where the master looks after everyone, and keep an eye on your drink as you would anywhere. Women travelling alone can also message the bar beforehand to get a feel for it.

Money and paying

• Ask about the cover chargeA seat charge (often ¥500–2,000) is common, and the small snack called otoshi that may come with it is part of that charge, not a free gift. Ask before you sit down: "Chāji wa ikura desu ka?"
• One drink eachEveryone in your group is expected to order at least one drink. If you don't drink alcohol, order a soft drink such as oolong tea or cola; some bars also have non-alcoholic beer, so just ask.
• Bring cash in small notesMany small bars are cash only and may not have change for a ¥10,000 note. Carry enough cash and some ¥1,000 notes; you can break a big note at a convenience store, where the ATMs also take most foreign cards.
• No price on the menu?If a whisky or special drink has no price, just ask before you order: "Kore wa ikura desu ka?" (How much is this?). It's a completely normal question.
• Tax and extra chargesPrices shown in Japan normally include consumption tax. Some bars add a service charge or a late-night charge on top; if you're not sure, ask when you order.
• Pay as you go or at the endMost bars keep a tab and you pay when you leave ("Okaikei onegai shimasu"). Some are "cash on" bars where you pay for each drink as it arrives. If you're unsure, ask or watch what the regulars do.
• Instead of a tip, buy the master a drinkTipping isn't done in Japan, but if you've had a great night you can say "Masutā mo dōzo" (please have one too). The master's drink is added to your bill, usually at about the price of one drink. It's a kind gesture, never an obligation.

Music and song requests

• Know the bar's style"Metal bar" can mean 80s glam or black metal, and some bars hold theme nights or events. Read each bar's description and tags here, and check its social media for the night's event before you go.
• How to request a songAsk first whether requests are OK. Some bars want you to say it, some use paper slips, and most are fine with you showing the artist and song title on your phone. Request one song at a time and wait for it to play before asking for another.
• If your song doesn't playThe master is building the flow of the night. A song may not fit the mood or the bar's style, the queue may be long, or the bar may not have it. It's never personal.
• Long songsA 15-minute doom or prog epic can stall a busy bar. Ask the master before requesting a very long track, or save it for a quiet moment.
• Loud or quietSome bars play at concert volume, others at talking level. When we know, the bar's description says so. If you're sensitive to noise, bring earplugs.
• Japanese band namesThe master may not recognise a Japanese band from its English spelling. Our phrase page has a list of Japanese band names in Japanese script: tap one and show your phone.

Inside the bar and getting home

• SmokeSome small bars still allow smoking inside. Look at the sign by the door before you enter: 禁煙 means no smoking, 喫煙可 means smoking is allowed.
• Chatting or listeningAt the counter, chatting with the master about music is normal and a good way in. If the regulars are deep in conversation, start with the master; if your neighbour is clearly just listening, let them be.
• FoodMany rock bars serve only drinks and light snacks. Eat first, for example at an izakaya, or filter for bars tagged "Food" in each area.
• Small rooms, small toiletsSpace is tight and the toilet in an older building may be tiny and shared by everyone. Small rooms also get hot when full, so dress in layers you can take off.
• No signal undergroundPhones can lose signal in basement bars. Download offline maps and an offline Japanese translation pack, and screenshot the address before you go in.
• Check the bar's social media on the dayOpening hours on map apps are often wrong, and many bars close on irregular days. Check the bar's X or Instagram on the day you go; the links are on each bar page.
• The last trainTrains stop around midnight and start again around 5am. Check your last train before you order another round, or plan on a taxi or staying out until the first train.
• Bar hoppingEach bar page lists other rock bars in the same city, so you can find a second (or third) stop nearby.

Japanese band names →

Izakaya and dining manners

Izakaya are Japanese pubs where people eat and drink together. They're a great place to start the night before heading to a rock bar.

• OshiboriThe wet towel you get when you sit down is for your hands. Wiping your face with it is something you'll see, but it's best avoided.
• OtoshiA small dish may arrive without you ordering it. It's the table charge, so you can't send it back, but it's often surprisingly good.
• Kanpai firstWait until everyone has a drink and toast together with "Kanpai!" before your first sip.
• Pouring for othersIn traditional settings people top up each other's glasses rather than their own. Friends often skip this, but it's a nice gesture.
• Calling staffSaying "Sumimasen!" (excuse me) out loud, or pressing the call button on the table, is completely normal and not rude.
• Sharing foodDishes arrive as they're ready and go in the middle of the table for everyone to share.
• ChopsticksDon't stand chopsticks upright in rice, and don't pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks. Both are linked to funerals.
• SlurpingSlurping noodles is fine. It's even said to bring out the flavour.
• Shoes offTake your shoes off before stepping onto tatami or any raised floor. Look for a step or a shoe shelf as a sign.
• NomihodaiAll-you-can-drink plans have a time limit, often 90 to 120 minutes. Staff will call "last order" before it ends.
• Paying the billUsually one bill for the table, paid at the register on your way out. Splitting it evenly (warikan) is common, and paying separately can be awkward when it's busy.
• On the streetEating while walking is generally frowned upon, except at festivals and food stalls. Public bins are rare, so carry your rubbish with you.

What's different from home

Things that are normal in many countries but work differently in Japan. ("Back home" is a generalisation; every country is different.)