I’d like to shine a spotlight on “TACHI-NOMI,” or standing bars—a quintessential part of Japanese drinking culture, yet often hidden like gems in back alleys.
Tracing the history of TACHI-NOMI, it’s said that it originated in the Edo period, when people would casually drink sake at the storefronts of liquor shops. Later, during the post-World War II era, amidst material shortages, this style became widespread as a way to accommodate many customers in limited spaces. It’s truly a culture born from the needs of the times.
From a cultural perspective, TACHI-NOMI have played a role beyond simply being places to drink. They’ve functioned as social hubs. People stand shoulder to shoulder with complete strangers, engaging in lighthearted conversations. There, status and age become irrelevant, fostering flat, egalitarian relationships. In today’s society, aren’t such places incredibly valuable?
Especially for Japanese businesspeople, TACHI-NOMI holds significant meaning as places to unwind after work with a drink, chatting candidly with colleagues and superiors. Loosening their ties and tilting their glasses, they’re released from the day’s tensions. You might even call them oases in the urban jungle.
These places offer a perfect opportunity to experience Japanese culture and the warmth of its people. Even if you don’t speak the language, gestures and smiles are more than enough for communication. If you muster the courage to step through the noren (shop curtain), you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience.
Visiting a TACHI-NOMI at dusk is a particularly special experience that allows you to feel the pulse of everyday Japan. As the sun sets, painting the town in shades of crimson, the lights of TACHI-NOMI begin to flicker on one by one. The scene is both nostalgic and heartwarming.
And yet, and yet, these standing bars… They encapsulate Japanese culture and the very breath of its people. I highly encourage you to venture into the world of TACHI-NOMI at least once.