From Norse Warriors to Lunch Buffets

In Japan, if someone invites you to a “バイキング” (baikingu), don’t expect longships and battle axes. They’re inviting you to an all-you-can-eat buffet. This might be one of the most unexpected meaning shifts in all of wasei-eigo.

The story goes back to 1958, when the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo wanted to introduce a Scandinavian-style smorgasbord to Japan. The hotel’s manager, Tetsuzō Inumaru, had just seen the Kirk Douglas film “The Vikings” and was struck by a scene of warriors feasting at a lavish banquet. He thought “Viking” perfectly captured the spirit of eating as much as you want, so the hotel named their new buffet restaurant the “Imperial Viking.” The concept — and the name — spread across Japan like wildfire.

Viking Culture in Japan

Today, “バイキング” is deeply embedded in Japanese dining culture. You’ll find it everywhere — hotel breakfast buffets, family restaurants, dessert bars, and even yakiniku places. Some restaurants distinguish between “バイキング” (timed all-you-can-eat) and “ビュッフェ” (byuffe, from the French “buffet”), though many Japanese people use the terms interchangeably.

The format is especially popular at hotels and onsen resorts, where elaborate breakfast and dinner vikings are a major selling point. Prices typically range from 1,000 to 5,000 yen depending on the venue and meal.

Fun Fact

The Imperial Hotel’s original “Viking” restaurant operated from 1958 all the way until 2023 — a 65-year run. It’s considered the birthplace of Japan’s buffet culture, and the word “バイキング” now appears in Japanese dictionaries as a standard term for buffet dining.