Outside many small Japanese pubs and food stalls hangs a red paper lantern known in Japanese as an akachochin. Written in black ink on those lanterns is generally the specialty of that shop, such as ramen, sake, or yakitori. As LeGoN, Inc. indicates in their new instructional video about the traditional signs, “Akachochin now lend their name to small drinking spots and izakayas where the have hung for centuries.”
Legon’s “How to enjoy Akachochin” is a brief whimsical look at the traditional dining places where the red paper laterns can be found. The video lays out some brief tips and vocabulary to help viewers navigate their way in one of the stalls.
“How to enjoy Akachochin” is available in both English and Japanese. While the English version of the video uses and describes some very beneficial words, the native Japanese word is often not pronounced. Here is a brief list of the most of the English words presented and the matching Japanese terms: Menu is menu; chopstick holder is hashi-tate; soy sauce is shoyu; salt is shio; toothpick is tsumayouji; a wet wipe is oshibori; bottled beer is bin beeru; (the ever important) draft beer is nama or nama beeru; and hot sake is atsukan.
It should be pointed out that otoshi, while listed as a “complimentary” snack, may have a price tag at some bars. Also, oaiso-onegaishimasu means “Check, please.”
“How to enjoy Akachochin” in English:
“How to enjoy Akachochin” in Japanese:
Read more about Japan by the Japan Travel Examiner
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