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Learning Japanese with JapanesePod101.com is the most fun and effective way to learn Japanese! In the last Japanese Culture Class lesson, we told you all about about izakaya, the Japanese version of what we might call a bar or a pub. Have you ever thought about what it must be like to work at one? In Part Two of this two-part series, we’ll talk to Kat about her experience working at an izakaya - how she got the job, what she had to do there, what it was like, and more! Join us for this behind-the-scenes peek. Visit us at JapanesePod101.com where you will find many more fantastic Japanese lessons and learning resources! Leave us a message while you are there!

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This entry was posted on Sunday, September 5th, 2010 at 6:30 pm and is filed under Japanese Culture Classes . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

10 Responses to “Japanese Culture Class #64 - Izakaya Part 2: Working at an izakaya”

JapanesePod101.com says:

Thanks for joining us for Part 2! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: We hope you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes look at an izakaya :)

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Linda says:

It’s so interesting to hear about someone who doesn’t look asian, who has experience working in Japan in a non-office related job. When I was in Tokyo this summer, I wondered if it was possible for me to work at a normal restaurant or izakaya or something, because I wasn’t sure if they’d hire someone who’s not asian. Do you think that this was an exception or is this something that happens more often? I’d really love to know.

-Linda

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Ryan says:

I had actually thought about doing an internship at a hotel near where I was studying Japanese in Hikone. I always enjoy hearing the sonkeigo that the staff at restaurants use. I’ve been to several Izakaya, and I really enjoy them over American bars because they tend to be more subdued places for a group of friends to hang out and talk, or a good place to go on a date. =)

Thanks for the interesting podcast!

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Tane says:

I once went in to an izakaya with my then slightly under-aged (for alcohol) son. It was a blistering hot summer’s day, so he ordered a mugi-cha (without looking at the menu). The waiter immediately rushed from the table, disappeared into the kitchen, and left us hanging. No “excuse me”, no “let me repeat that order”, no nothing! About 5 minutes later, another waitress came out and explained to us that 1) that waiter was new and 2) she’s very sorry but they don’t have mugi-cha but they do have iced tea, and 3) may she take our order (properly). She took care of us in the expected okyaku-sama wa kami-sama way that we had come to expect. Very strange experience.

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Wajima says:

A very interesting two lessons. Apparently the dividing line between an izakaya and a regular restaurant are a little fuzzy. I visit Tokyo about once a year, and frequently go out to eat with some very close Japanese friends. Some places we refer to as Izakaya, others as just restaurants, or ryootei. Actually, the word “restaurant” seems to be used more for western style eating establishments. In the small “mom and pop” type izakayas that we frequent, we never take off our shoes. In the slightly bigger izakayas we only take off our shoes if we are going into one of the tatami rooms, but if we are at a bar or a table, the shoes stay on. However, at a “ryootei” the shoes always come off just as you have described. And also, at both types of restaurant, at least the ones I’ve been to, the food is shared family style, just as you have described. I have never been disappointed with the food, the service and the friendly atmosphere of an izakaya. Thank you for some very interesting cultural insight. These types of lessons will certainly add another level of enjoyment to any visit to Japan.

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Marian says:

I really liked this izakaya series. Very interesting and very comfortable voides to listen to ^_^ Thanks.

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Kat says:

Lindaさん: Thanks for your comment! If you speak Japanese well enough, they’ll have no reason not to hire you - and indeed they may look on it as a coup having an English-speaking member of staff to help with tourists or other non-Japanese-speaking customers - but I think some places would baulk if you just walked in there and asked for a job, even if they do have a Help Wanted sign up. In my experience of working ‘normal’ jobs in Japan, it’s better to ‘prove yourself’ first in terms of your ability to speak, read and write if you’re non-Japanese, and particularly if you’re non-Asian, by responding via phone or email first. Let us know if you go for a job in Japan! :)

Ryanさん: Thanks for your comment :smile: ! I agree - izakaya, even the more raucous variety, are usually easier to relax in than standing-style ‘foreign’ bars as they’re called here.

Taneさん: Hmm, what an odd experience! Maybe the waiter thought he would have to speak English and panicked? :roll: It happens to me a lot… I get really tired of it :lol: !

Wajimaさん:That’s true, the experience can be similar at a ryotei - and as for the taking off/not taking off of shoes, it totally depends on the establishment. I have to say some izakaya entranceways make me not want to take off my shoes…!

Marianさん: Thank you so much for listening! We’re glad you enjoyed it :smile:

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ブア says:

Hello,

Could you please reupload the Lesson Notes again? I think there is something going wrong with it, as Lesson Notes and Lesson Notes seem to be the same file.

Thx!

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Jessi says:

ブアさん,
The content of both the Lesson Notes PDF and Lesson Notes Lite PDF are the same, it’s just that the fonts used are different (as some users have trouble viewing the regular Lesson Notes PDF on their computer).

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Paul Hays says:

Great Lesson. One of the best speakers Of Japanese I know was a teacher who had worked at an izakaiya when he first arrived in Japan. I always wanted to do an arubeito in one, but it always seemed inappropriate for a teach, and now that I am a senior professor in a Major University, I know that it would push my Japanese ability over the top so to speak.

Hover, for the best food, I like the robatayaki, although they are dying out. Health departments don’t like the big baskets of food, especially the ones filled with ice and fish, so they are disappearing. Too bad, they were always fun- point at a few things and say”おまかせ.’

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