Explore the Old-School Atmosphere of Sakaemachi

The Sakaemachi arcade is open during the day and many of the locals come here to get groceries. I get the feeling that they have been coming here for years, and you’ll often see shoppers stopping for a chat with store staff/owners.

There is a butcher shop where you can buy anything from sausages, marinated and sliced BBQ meat or any part of pork you could imagine. When I am having a BBQ at home, this is where I shop.

If you would like a good cappuccino there is a tiny coffee shop which can seat two or three people at the front counter. This shop makes the best coffee I have tasted so far, the cups are small but the owner knows how to make great coffee.

During the evenings, the grocery and homeware stores close for the day and many small bars start to open, so people come for a drink after work and to relax.

One bar which I found interesting sold only one product, Hoegaarden beer! Inside there is enough room for maybe six or seven people. The owner is always friendly and open to having a chat.

At one of the exits of the arcade and across the tiny street there is one of my favorite places to have a drink and to eat. They mainly serve kushikatsu, which is various meats and vegetables on skewers deep fried in a light, crispy batter. These are super delicious and go well with a nice cold beer.

Around the side of the main seating area they often have two sofas and some stools around a table, this is great if there is a large group of people. I was surprised the first time I went because it is actually on the edge of a carpark. This carpark is one where you drive onto the ramps and your car is elevated up to make room for the next car. Often you will be sitting under one of the parked cars!

Once a month between June and October, there is a small festival/gathering at the Sakaemachi arcade, and it can be quite busy at times. I’ve seen some elderly ladies on a small stage rapping about Sakaemachi! They may be older but you can see from their enthusiasm and energy they are still very young at heart. Many families come with children and enjoy the atmosphere.

Sakaemachi and the surrounding areas are not new or glamorous, to me it is more like what life used to be like years ago. A place you can go where material things don’t matter so much but having a connection with locals and visitors is more important.

The nearest station from Sakaemachi is Asato Station. You can also walk from Kokusai Street. I recommend you go and check it out for yourself!