Tachinomiya of Osaka 大阪の立ち飲み屋
A taste of yesteryear
Osaka is known for its food and the friendliness of its people. It is therefore not surprising that the Tachinomiya, these small bars where you drink alcohol standing up, are numerous and very popular. Regulars meet there after work for a drink and a few odds and ends before heading home. Recently, more and more tourists are joining the local clientele.
Each establishment has an atmosphere that differs according to the owner and the clientele. Here are some addresses to immerse yourself in an authentic and slightly retro Japan.
Dandelion
It is in the working-class district of Ura-Namba (located to the south-east of Namba), in one of these typical alleys, that Dandelion is located, a "standing bar" with the look of a western saloon. The many bottles of whiskey sit side by side with those of wine, while the bartender prepares cocktails for the ladies, on request. You can nibble on the essential edamame but also house specialties such as smoked cheese. Atmosphere guaranteed!
- Address: 14-25 Nanba Sennichimae, Chuo-ku, 542-0075 Osaka
- Phone: 080-6158-3912
- Opening hours: every day (irregular closing day) from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am approximately.
- Access : Namba station (135 meters)
Kasetaniya
Still, in the Namba district, Kasetaniya opens at 4:30 pm (well, around 4:30 pm). “Work is health ” goes the French adage. The adage the owners have made their own, since Seinosuke Kasetani, 94, and his wife Toshiko, 83, have been welcoming customers since 1956 and have no plans to retire. Tashiko still cooks home-cooked meals that cost less than 500 yen ($4.25/4€) each and can be washed down with a large bottle of Japanese beer for just 450 yen ($3.75/3.25€). Mini prices to discover one of the oldest tachinomiya in the city.
- Address : 1-6-1 Inari, Naniwa-ku, 556-0023 Osaka
- Phone : 06-6562-0602
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 4:30 pm to 9 pm. Saturday from 4:30 pm to 8 pm.
- Access : JR Namba Station
Imanaka Saketen
Imanaka Saketen was established in 1928. Here too, the prices are very low: 330 yen ($2.75/2.25€) for a large bottle of beer or 210 yen ($1.75/1.50€) for a glass of shochu (Japanese brandy).
The dishes are typical of tachinomiya: croquettes, fried fish, and other inexpensive snacks to accompany the alcohol. The clientele is varied: from old regulars to trendy young thirtysomethings, Imanaka Saketen is the ideal place to meet all kinds of people.
- Address: 2-6-11 Juso-Higashi, Yodogawa-ku, 532-0024 Osaka
- Telephone : 532-0023; 06-6301-3361
- Opening hours: every day from 10 am.
- Access: Juso station
A tachinomiya in Osaka
MIKI Yoshihito, Flickr
Senbikiya
Senbikiya, near Ebisucho Station, is a kind of izakaya (Japanese tavern) offering tasty dishes at tachinomiya prices. As is often the case in tachinomiya, customers take their drinks from the fridge. Senbikiya means " The store of 1,000 fish ". If there are not so many to taste, those that are served are delicious. They are eaten standing in front of a wooden counter made from 300-year-old cedar.
And that's not all: the owner, Mai Senbikiya, provides his clients with a whole selection of costumes, wigs, and accessories, in case they want to dress up. So don't be surprised to have an anime character or other costumed individual as a neighbor.
- Address: 5-16-5-104 Nihonbashi, Naniwa-ku, 556-0005 Osaka
- Phone : 556-0005; 06-6632-4514
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 5 pm to 10:30 pm.
- Access: Ebisucho Station
