Things I love about life in Japan: an abundance of counter seats

One thing I've really grown to love about eating out in Japan is the sheer abundance of counter seating. Ramen shops, sushi bars, curry houses, yakitori joints, even tiny neighborhood restaurants often have a long counter as the main event rather than an afterthought.

In my home country of Australia, counter seating exists, but it usually shows up in pubs or very casual spots, and even then it can feel like a backup option. Restaurants tend to be built around tables, which can make solo dining feel a little awkward or inefficient. I don't think I ever went out to eat alone when I lived there, because you either take up a table meant for two or wait longer than you should.

Here, counter seats flip that experience entirely, and sitting alone never feels strange. I also love that it often means you get a front-row seat to the cooking! You can chat if you want, keep to yourself if you don't, and still feel part of the space.

I also think that counter seating makes restaurants more approachable, since you can pop in for a quick meal without committing to a long stay. Once you get used to restaurants designed with solo diners as a consideration, it makes you wonder why more places elsewhere haven't caught on.