Pubs & Bars · Practical guide
Shirokiya Japan Guide for Tourists: 1983 Mega-Izakaya Pioneer & Late-Night Dining
Prices, ordering steps, payment details, and common mistakes — in one place.
Quick Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Dining / All-Round Mega Izakaya & Casual Pub (Shirokiya Official Website) |
| Store Count | Approximately 120–150 locations nationwide across major urban centers, train terminals, and nightlife entertainment hubs, operated by Monteroza Co., Ltd. (the founding flagship brand established in Nakano, Tokyo in 1983) (Store Locator) |
| Ordering Style | Booth, table, or sunken tatami seating; order all dishes and drinks via tabletop multilingual digital touchscreen tablets (or call button); dishes delivered directly to table; settle bill at cashier upon exit |
| Membership Required? | No reservation or membership required for walk-in dining |
| Approximate Price Range | Evening spend ~¥2,000–¥3,500; tapas and appetizers ~¥350–¥650; draft beer and sours ~¥450–¥550; evening table appetizer (Otoshi) ~¥400–¥500; late-night surcharge 10% after 22:00; all tax-included (as of October 1, 2026; subject to revision) |
| Payment Methods | Cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA), electronic money (iD, Rakuten Edy, QUICPay), and mobile QR code apps (PayPay, 楽天ペイ, d-barai, au PAY, WeChat Pay, Alipay) |
| Multilingual Support | Tabletop ordering tablets feature multilingual language toggles (English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean) with high-definition photos |
What it is
Shirokiya (白木屋), launched in Nakano, Tokyo in 1983 as the foundation of restaurant conglomerate Monteroza Co., Ltd., is widely celebrated as the prototype of the modern Japanese Mega-Izakaya. Designed to be a welcoming, well-lit tavern that democratized Japanese pub culture for college students, young women, and working professionals alike, Shirokiya features an encyclopedic menu encompassing every classic Japanese tavern genre imaginable: sizzling iron-plate gyoza dumplings, B-grade gourmet Fujinomiya Yakisoba fried noodles, bubbling beef offal hotpots (Motsu Nabe), charcoal yakitori, fresh sashimi, and crispy thin-crust pizzas. Operating until 3:00 AM or 5:00 AM in major city entertainment districts, it represents the ultimate reliable, late-night Japanese comfort food haven.
How to order
Dining at Shirokiya is completely frictionless thanks to full digital tablet ordering:
- Enter and get seated: Step inside. Staff will guide your group to a comfortable cushioned booth or sunken kotatsu tatami table.
- Evening Otoshi starter: A small seasonal appetizer bowl (Otoshi, ~¥400–¥500) will be served with a warm moist towel (oshibori).
- Switch tablet to English: Pick up the tabletop touchscreen tablet and tap "English" at the top corner.
- Order drinks first:
- Kirin Ichiban Shibori Draft Beer: Ice-cold Japanese draft beer.
- Highballs & Chuhai: Suntory whiskey highballs, lemon sours, and green tea cocktails.
- Mocktails & Soft Drinks: Non-alcoholic cocktails, sodas, and juices.
- Order sharing dishes across multiple genres:
- Fujinomiya Yakisoba (富士宮やきそば): Chewy steamed noodles tossed with pork drippings, cabbage, and savory sardine powder.
- Teppan Gyoza (鉄板餃子): Sizzling pork dumplings served piping hot on a cast-iron skillet.
- Hakata Motsu Nabe (博多もつ鍋): Rich savory beef offal hotpot simmered live on your table burner.
- Assorted Yakitori: Grilled chicken skewers seasoned with salt or sweet tare glaze.
- Crispy French Fries & Karaage: Classic crowd-pleasers.
- Track your spending: Tap the "Current Bill" button on the tablet to monitor your live order total in real time.
- Pay at the cashier: When finished, tap "Checkout" on the tablet screen, bring your table number plate to the front register, and pay via cash, credit card, Suica, or smartphone QR codes.
What to order first
Dishes below reflect core brand staples officially featured on the Shirokiya Official Website and verified row records:
- *Fujinomiya Yakisoba (富士宮やきそば)*: Shizuoka's award-winning regional specialty noodle; chewy thick noodles topped with crispy pork cracklings and shaved fish dashi powder (~¥650–¥750 tax-included as of October 2026).
- *Sizzling Teppan Gyoza (熱々鉄板餃子)*: Juicy pork and garlic dumplings served sizzling hot on a cast-iron skillet (~¥480–¥580).
- *Hakata Beef Motsu Nabe (博多もつ鍋)*: Hearty hotpot packed with beef offal, cabbage, garlic chives, and chili in savory soy or miso broth (~¥1,080–¥1,380 per person).
- *Charcoal Yakitori Platter (串焼き盛り合わせ)*: Freshly grilled skewers of chicken thigh, meatballs, and skin (~¥680–¥880).
- *Assorted Sashimi (お造り盛り合わせ)*: Freshly sliced salmon, tuna, and seasonal white fish (~¥980–¥1,480).
Payment & practical info
- Pricing & Value: Very economical; dinner with multiple shared dishes and alcoholic drinks averages ¥2,200–¥3,200 per person.
- Cover Charges & Late-Night Fee: Includes an authentic izakaya table appetizer fee (Otoshi, ~¥400–¥500). Orders placed after 22:00 (10:00 PM) incur a standard 10% late-night surcharge.
- Payment Methods: Accepts Japanese Yen cash, major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, UnionPay), Japanese transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA), electronic money (iD, Edy, QUICPay), and mobile QR codes (PayPay, Rakuten Pay, WeChat Pay, Alipay).
- Atmosphere: Bright, casual, and energetic. Perfect for travelers seeking a lively Japanese night out without strict formality.
- Late-Night Availability: Most city branches near major train stations stay open until 3:00 AM or 5:00 AM, making them lifesavers for late arrivals or midnight cravings.
Good to know / Common mistakes
- The 10% Late-Night Fee: If you dine after 10:00 PM, a 10% late-night service fee is added to your bill automatically.
- Otoshi appetizer charge: The small starter bowl served at the beginning is the standard Japanese seating charge.
- Tablet call button: If you need extra ice water, clean glasses, or plates, you can order them for free directly from the tablet's service menu!
- Diverse menu suits everyone: If your travel party has diverse tastes—one person wants sushi, another wants pizza, and someone wants fried chicken—Shirokiya satisfies everyone under one roof.
- No tipping: Tipping is never accepted. Pay the exact bill at the front desk.
FAQ
Q1: What does "Shirokiya" mean? "Shirokiya" translates to "White Wooden House," chosen by the founders in 1983 to signify clean, natural Japanese wood architecture and honest, transparent hospitality.
Q2: Is Shirokiya good for solo travelers? Yes! While known for group tables, Shirokiya welcomes solo diners. The English tablet allows you to order at your own pace without feeling rushed.
Q3: Can I customize food allergies on the tablet? The digital tablet features detailed allergen icons for major allergens (eggs, dairy, wheat, shellfish, nuts) across all menu items.
Sources
- Shirokiya Official Website: https://www.monteroza.co.jp/brand/siro/ (Verified: 2026-10-01)
- Monteroza Corporate Portal: https://www.monteroza.co.jp/ (Verified: 2026-10-01)