When I was young, I went to a Spanish language school in Mexico. It was probably one of the most fun times of my life. Because of Mexican culture, I was invited to classes and various parties every weekend. I just had a lot of alcohol.
In the midst of all this, North American and European Colleges would tell me to “Have water!” and “Have chaser!” One American in particular said that if you drink a glass of water equal to the number of glasses you had, you won’t have a hangover the next day. I tried it, and I definitely didn’t get a hangover.
People from overseas may be surprised, but in Japan, when you order alcohol at izakayas or pubs, you don’t get a chaser with it. Although there is a culture of diluting alcohol with water in Japan these days, there is no custom of drinking water between drinks. That’s why I didn’t know the importance of chaser. However, in fact, when sake was the only drink available in Japan, there was a chaser called “Ya-wa-ra-gi-mi-zu”. This is still used in some izakayas that specialize in sake. However, it is important to note that the word “Ya-wa-ra-gi-mi-zu” is used only in the case of sake, and that in Japan, wine and spirits are also called “chaser”. So when you order sake at izakaya, why not try ordering “Ya-wa-ra-gi-m-izu” along with it? You will surely be respected as someone from abroad who is knowledgeable about sake culture.
However, if the restaurant does not place importance on sake, the waitstaff may not know the word “Ya-wa-ra-gi-mi-zu”, so in that case, please order “mi-zu”.
I once ordered “Ya-wa-ra-gi-mi-zu” with sake at a yakitori restaurant, but was told, “Sir, we do not have Ya-wa-ra-gi-mi-zu on the menu,” and I felt very sad. This story has become a fond memory for me now, but I remember being immature at the time and leaving indignant, never to come to that izakaya again. Ha-Ha-ha.
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