If you're living in Japan or plan on visiting this fall and if you also enjoy drinking, you may know about izakaya, those convenient establishments combining a pub and a restaurant in one. You may also know that izakaya chains often have nomihōdai 飲み放題, all-you-can-drink plans which are great when you want to drink freely without worrying about the bill. In fact, we've reported on such deals before, like the one at Himono-ya or the food and sake plan at Little Sake Square. However, these plans can put a dent in your budget if you're going out frequently.

Fortunately, now there's a way to drink to your heart's content without breaking the bank.

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All-You-Can-Drink Monthly Izakaya Pass

The new tax hike kicks in on October 1st but you don't need to worry. Thanks to a special promotion by REINS International, Inc., which operates restaurant chains throughout Japan, you'll be able to visit any of 138 Tokyo area locations of their six izakaya chains (see details below) and take advantage of their nomihōdai plan for up to an entire month for the very reasonable price of 4,000 JPY (37 USD | 49 CAD | 55 AUD | 34 EUR at current rate). And that includes the new 10% tax. What's more, any friend who comes along with you will be eligible for a discounted nomihōdai plan of 1,000 JPY per visit.

Savings after three visits

You don't have to be staying in Japan for a month to take advantage of this monthly pass. When you consider that all-you-can-drink plans are at least 1,500 JPY (for example at Irohanihoheto and Issa), you'll get your money back if you visit at least 3 times, which is perfect for the average stay in the Tokyo area. Since you can try six different chains, you'll have plenty of variety as well. Naturally, the real savings are for those who are staying a bit longer in Japan, since they can visit as many times as they want for an entire month. You can even start at one izakaya, then go to another one on the same day.

Where you can drink

The pass is valid at any of the 138 locations of the following izakaya chains in the larger Tokyo area including Saitama, Kanagawa and Chiba Prefectures:

• 北海道 Hokkaidō (website):
  30 in Tokyo, 15 in Kanagawa Pref., 3 in Saitama Pref., 1 in Chiba Pref.
• 甘太郎 Amatarō (website):
  11 in Tokyo, 8 in Kanagawa Pref., 3 in Saitama Pref., 3 in Chiba Pref.
• NIJYU-MARU (website):
  12 in Tokyo, 14 in Kanagawa Pref., 1 in Saitama Pref., 2 in Chiba Pref.
• いろはにほへと Irohanihoheto (website):
  4 in Tokyo, 6 in Kanagawa Pref., 2 in Saitama Pref.
• 一瑳 Issa (website):
  3 in Tokyo, 3 in Kanagawa Pref.
• 三間堂 Sangendō (website):
  9 in Tokyo, 8 in Kanagawa Pref.

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How to buy your pass

When you're ready to activate your monthly pass, just visit the following website, sign up with favy, and pay with a credit card from the popup menu. The instructions are in Japanese but it shouldn't be hard to figure out. Your plan begins from the moment your purchase it and expires one month later.

When you're logged in, you can check your pass online here. The red button displays the pass for 10 minutes, which you can do for a total of 99 times a day.

Availability

The pass is available until November 5, 2019, 23:59 JST (expiring December 5, 2019). What this means is it's best for travelers who intend arriving in Tokyo between now and the end of November at the latest.

Conditions

• Can only be used by pass holder.
  Accompanying non-pass holders eligible for nomihōdai at 1,000 JPY / visit.
• Show pass when ordering.
• Valid for 2 hours / visit. Last order taken after 90 minutes.
• Otōshi * charged separately
  (*Otōshi お通し is a small appetizer served by default at Japanese restaurants and added to the bill)
• Minimum order of two food items (at least 300 JPY excl. tax) required.
• Cannot be used with other discounts or promotions.
• Screen captures of pass not accepted.

It might not be such a fantastic deal if you're only interested in after-dinner drinks since you'll need to dish out an additional 1,200 JPY or so (at least) for two food items and an otōshi appetizer each time you visit, but if you think of it as a dinner option, it's a great deal.