When you see a Red Lantern, you know you've come to the right place. The mark of hole-in-the-wall izakayas everywhere, the Lantern stands for much more than cheap price. It tells you that you are about to enter one of Japan's thousands of unique, homey drinking estalishements, and it assures that you will have a good time.

We realize that the Red Lantern experience is not for everyone. Cramped, smokey yakitori-ya may not be your thing. Maybe you're in the mood for a single-malt scotch instead of the usual Asahi, or perhaps you want to dance. The places we review on this site represent all kinds of genre, although we hold all these establishments up to the Red Lantern Standard.

The Red Lantern Standard recognizes value as key, with atmosphere, and of course quality, of equal importance. Although imposters and ripoffs have recently begun to appear across the country, there still remain true Red Lantern establishments in various pockets of Japan, and we strive to seek these places out and make them known to you, our Red Lanterners.

• Bar (Western Style):  Here you will hopefully find a full bar serving all kinds of cocktails and domestic and imported beers. Keep in mind that by default, Japanese cocktails aren't that strong, so it may be wise to order "koime" or "on the stronger side". Also remember that anything imported is inherently extremely expensive, for example, expect to pay ¥600~¥800 for a bottle of Corona or Heineken. Also called Shot Bars.
• Izakaya:  The izakaya is the quintessential Red Lantern establishment. Usually serving various dishes of tsukemono, grilled fish, yakitori (kushiyaki), rice things (like onigiri and ochazuke), some sashimi, and many other regional specialties, izakays are great places to relax, have some cheap beer or perhaps a glass of expensive sake, and enjoy the authentic side of Japan. Usually quite affordable, most izakayas pride themselves on their cheap food and they often have drink specials. Izakayas that are more geared toward students usually have cheaper food and better deals.
• Yakitori-ya:  As the name implies, Yakitori, kushi-mono, miso, rice...not too different from an izakaya but perhaps more specialized. Generally pretty cheap (¥80 or so per stick) and good, authentic food.
• Shot Bar:  Shot Bars, or Jigger Bars, carry all kinds of specialty libations, particularly single-malt scotches. These places usually charge a cover fee (seki-ryo) and are not cheap--but can be very classy joints.
• Okonomiyaki:  Not really a bar style but worth mentioning since okonomiyaki (or Japanese Pizza according to some gaijins) can be very tasty and popular.
• Yakiniku:  
• Sports Bar:  
• Sushi Bar:  This one should speak for itself, but it is important to note that unlike some sushi bars back home, those in Japan are strictly sushi--no soba, teishoku, edamame, etc. Expect to pay a moderate amount of money for good sushi at a real authentic sushi bar. (It's worth it though...)
• Irish Pub:  The place to go for Guinness on tap, along with some form of pub-grub and oftentimes, live music.
• Robata:  Like izakaya, but more of an old-fashioned, homier kind of environment. Most hole-in-the-wall Red Lantern establishments are self-proclaimed Robata-yas, although most Japanese probably couldn't tell you the difference between Robata and Izakaya.
• Dance Club:  Here you will find DJed top-40s, hip hop, and para para music in the traditional American style.
• Italian Restaurant:  
• Wine Cellar:  
• Dining Bar:  Usually a nice atmosphere to drink with tasty food offerings, sometimes specializing and famous for their cooking.