Bars to indulge your Japanese craving

Does it feel like everyone you know is off to Japan? Or maybe you’re one of the lucky ones who’ve already been. Japan is a wildly popular place right now – almost one million Aussies visited in 2024, which was a 50% jump on our 2023 total – and that has a whole lot to do with the nation’s food and drinks. But in excellent news, particularly for those of us not heading there any time soon, there are loads of authentic Japanese drinking and dining experiences popping up – and off – around the country.  

We can now choose between the likes of listening dens, sushi specialists, sake bars and other venues serving up Japanese-inspired snacks, and they’re all putting their own take on Japan’s coveted drinking and dining culture. Whether that’s a tiny Sydney bar, where you can sit elbow to elbow while enjoying traditional dishes, or a Japanese-style pub in the heart of Melbourne’s inner north, there are some seriously top-tier options out there. 

If you missed that cheap flight deal or just want to see what all the fuss is about, here are some of the best Japanese places to hit up around Australia.