In Japan, there are many dining establishments where you can enjoy lunch and dinner. The equivalent of “restaurants” in Japan tends to be slightly more upscale. For everyday dining, people often frequent izakayas, teishokuya (set meal restaurants), and Chinese restaurants.
There are actually several types of izakayas. Some offer a variety of dishes, while others specialize in seafood, yakitori (grilled chicken skewers), or regional cuisine.
Teishokuya typically offer set meals consisting of rice, miso soup, a main dish, side dishes, and salad. It’s common to see individuals dining alone at teishokuya in Japan. Many teishokuya also serve alcohol, so they are often frequented by people who want to have a meal and a drink after work.
There are also many Chinese restaurants in Japan. Rather than serving authentic Chinese cuisine, they often offer set meals with a Chinese flair. Many people dine alone at these establishments as well.
Of course, izakayas, teishokuya, and Chinese restaurants are popular not only for solo diners but also for groups, so whether you’re dining alone or with others, you’ll be welcome.
When traveling, it might sometimes feel intimidating to enter a restaurant alone, but in Japan, there are plenty of establishments where solo diners are welcome!
In contrast to many places abroad where restaurants are often located on the ground floor or inside shopping malls, in Japan, it’s common to find restaurants inside buildings. Restaurants may be on the third or fourth floor of a building, with signage on the ground floor indicating their presence. I’ve had travelers comment, “In Japan, restaurants aren’t always on the ground floor,” which is true. In Japan, there may even be more restaurants on the upper floors of buildings than on the ground floor. When you’re traveling, pay attention to the signs on the ground floor—you’ll find many delicious eateries waiting for you!