Japan's Izakaya Pubs Closing at Record Pace
Friday, 2026/05/29145 words2 minutes1309 reads
Izakaya are traditional Japanese pubs that serve alcoholic drinks and food. They offer items like yakitori chicken skewers and sashimi. Customers are expected to order both drinks and food.
Between January and April 2025, 88 izakaya went bankrupt. This is 54.3% more than last year and the highest number since 1989. Rising costs for ingredients and utilities are major problems. Many izakaya have raised prices or reduced portion sizes, but customers are unhappy.
Drinking habits have changed significantly. During the pandemic, coworkers stopped going out together. This custom hasn't fully returned. More people now work from home, so fewer colleagues meet after work. Many employees also prefer better work-life balance and avoid drinking with their bosses.
Foreign tourists aren't helping much either. They prefer restaurants specializing in specific dishes like ramen or sushi. Izakaya menus are too broad and ordering can be confusing for visitors.
