Japan faces record izakaya bankruptcies, signaling change of drink culture

Food & BeverageSmall pubs struggle with rising costs, but customers still want experiences and connectionAustralian journalist Gary Juvelin enjoys a drink just a few feet from the owner at a six-seat establishment in Nonbei Yokocho, an alley near Shibuya Station in Tokyo. (Photo by Yuki Kohara) KOSUKE INOUEAugust 11, 2026 13:01 JSTTOKYO -- On a Friday evening in late July, Kuranosuke, a small izakaya restaurant in Tokyo's Koto Ward, was almost full.