TACHINOMI FUTAKUN (Update: 10/14)

Local Drinking at its Finest in Asagaya
[updated October 2025]

Have you ever heard of a “standing bar”? Known in Japanese as “tachinomi”, this is the place to experience the local drinking and izakaya food, where most customers stand up at the counter while drinking and eating. Tachinomi Futakun (“Foota-koon”) sits proudly at the action end of Asagaya’s premier nightlife strip, Star Road. At first glance, this small but perpetually crowded standing bar can appear a little insular with long-term locals boisterously conversing and drinking amongst themselves. However, on parting the red and yellow entry curtains and stepping foot inside, the staff and regulars couldn’t be more welcoming to new faces. The place is beloved by locals and accepting of everyone.

Gather around the makeshift tables or find a treasured standing position at the yatai-food stand style counter that’s been modeled after a Japanese food truck from yesteryear. The hundreds of personally decorated ‘masu’—square wooden boxes that are traditionally used to hold sake—can be seen behind the counter. These contain repeat-customer’s money for future visits. As a fresh face, you too will be paying for your drinks by loading up a designated ‘masu’ with cash before ordering. You can also decorate your own ‘masu’ if you like!

The izakaya style menu adhered to the walls offers something for everyone, with the selection of charcoal grilled chicken skewers (yakitori) an excellent option to start with. If you are adventurous to try any part of the chicken, go for the omakase yakitori set, which includes 3 skewers of different chicken meat chosen by the staff for 700 yen. For the same price, you can also enjoy a maguro set, featuring different cuts of fresh tuna sashimi. Their potato salad with fried onions is also a great starter. For drinks, enjoy beers or other alcoholic beverages or soft drinks, but you can never go wrong with their lemon sours (shochu liquor with lemon soda).

Open in 2006, Futakun is named after a popular red panda (lesser panda) at the Chiba Zoo who is known for standing up on his hind legs. Thus, you’ll see a lot red panda images and decorations inside. So come and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and menu, place some yen in your ‘masu’, order a drink and a handful of side dishes. Welcome in the start of a memorable evening with a strike of the gong and a communal “kampai” (cheers)!

ACCESS

Writers: Andy, Greg
Photographers: Diego, Kasamine