Located about a 1-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station, "Tachinomi ura" is the gateway to Kurashiki. It is a rare standing bar in Kurashiki. We spoke with President Akiba Yuichi and Manager Tagawa Hidetora.
A shop born from encounters and connections
Why did you choose to open a shop in front of the station?
Akiba
We were managing KAG in front of the station, and next door was an esthetic salon. I always thought that location was really good. I asked to be informed if a shop became available. Then I received a call saying it would be available, and at that point, I had no idea what to do, but I decided to rent it.
Meeting with Nagasaka Jou
Akiba
If we were to open a shop in front of the station, I felt a sense of mission to create exciting projects that would benefit everyone.
After deciding to do a standing bar, I happened to be introduced to Nagasaka Jou by an acquaintance. Nagasaka is my favorite architect.
He is world-renowned, so I thought he would definitely refuse, but I asked him, "Would you be willing to take on this project?" He replied, "Sure. Let's take a look at the site first."
When it was an esthetic salon, it was nicely done, with two floors and proper walls. But Nagasaka said, "This isn't interesting, so let's strip all the walls and then think about what to do."
Nagasaka is an architect who expresses how to make existing things look beautiful, which he calls "half architecture." Based on Nagasaka's opinion that making things neat can actually look bad, we decided not to put a noren (traditional shop curtain) at the shop.
Actually, having a noren would make it clearer that it's a drinking establishment.
The building of ura seems to be part of an adjacent extension. Additionally, due to the development in front of the station, there was a setback to secure the road, so the building was cut off. That's why it has a strange triangular shape.
When we removed the walls, we discovered earthen walls from the Taisho era. The ceiling is also exposed.
Tagawa
When I first learned about Nagasaka, I was very surprised to see an architect who presents things in this way. Customers often ask, "Is this under construction?" When that happens, I explain the building, and they understand and get to know about Nagasaka.
Meeting with Manager Tagawa
Has Tagawa been working here since the opening?
Tagawa
I started getting involved with ura about two months before it opened in August 2023. I was thinking about recipes and such.
I originally worked in a completely different field, but by chance, I was approached by the president (Akiba). In a casual conversation, he mentioned, "I'm going to open a standing bar." I was interested in food, so I thought this would be a good experience and decided to take it on.
I became the manager in January 2024.
My previous job was as an ordinary company employee in the manufacturing industry. I decided to pursue a career in food and trained at a pizza shop. After finishing my training, I happened to visit KAG to eat a hamburger during my break. That’s where I met President Akiba.
Akiba
Before deciding who would do what for the launch of ura, we just started moving quickly. I felt that I might meet someone, and I happened to meet Tagawa and approached him.
Ingredients sourced from Akiba's acquaintances
You use local ingredients, but do you have connections with Uospring and Sakamoto Eggs?
Akiba
Those connections are originally mine. Uospring is a junior acquaintance of mine, and I have known Sakamoto-kun from Sakamoto Eggs for over ten years. When I thought about using Okayama ingredients, I reached out to my acquaintances.
Uospring does really good work. We write an introduction to the shop on the menu. I think it would be great if our shop could help promote Uospring even a little, and conversely, our credibility would increase by borrowing their name.
We also offer local sake. For example, we all went to Sankanshu Brewery in Kojima and received a lecture from the president. We also get advice from local liquor stores.
I am also personally very close with the president of Ichikura, who makes Okayama craft beer "OKAYAMA JIMOTO BEER 086," so we also have that in the shop. While receiving cooperation from local people, we are promoting ourselves. I hope that people will get to know local beer, sake, and fish even a little.
A place where connections are born
Akiba
"ura" is pronounced like "ura" (meaning "back"), and I named it while questioning a uniform society. For example, is it wrong for a child who cannot sit still during class? It's not that they are doing it on purpose; it's their individuality.
While being in the front of Kurashiki, we named it ura (back). In other words, there is importance in the back as well as the front. It's okay to have criticism against some formality, and if that disappears, everyone just moves in the same direction.
There are various ways of living, and that is a choice we make ourselves. I think it's fine to have a lifestyle of just working every day and saving money, but also one where you can enjoy drinking. I believe that being able to accept those who are a bit different from everyone else is true diversity. By conveying the meaning of ura in front of the station, I hope the town can improve even a little.
I would be happy if ura could become a place where age, gender, nationality, and all barriers are removed, and everyone can connect through various conversations.
A standing bar style is quite rare, isn't it?
Akiba
Once you sit down, you can't move, right? You can't become friends with someone at a distant table. But if it's a standing bar, you can move around. More than wanting to run a restaurant, my main desire is to create a place for interaction.
Tagawa
We also feel the joy of connecting customers with each other. It's really wonderful when strangers become friends. Listening to customers, finding commonalities, and connecting them by starting conversations. If customers think, "I might see that person again at ura," that makes me happy.
I think it's a wonderful thing to drink, have an open heart, and become friends with someone you just met.
I want you to leave "fun" memories
What kind of people use your establishment?
Tagawa
There are many locals, and we also have visitors from outside the prefecture.
Some people use it to kill time when they arrive early for drinks with work colleagues. Because of the good location, there are also those who drink until just before the last train.
On weekends, the number of customers from overseas increases, and recently, we had visitors from South Korea. Everyone in the shop became friends, and it was really fun. I felt very happy thinking that this shop could become a memorable place for those who come across borders.
They kept saying "Tomodachi, Tomodachi" and toasted many times. I think there is a language barrier, but it makes me happy when they say "Tomodachi" in Japanese, and that kind of atmosphere is really wonderful.
Conclusion
Through the interview, I felt that operating in front of the station, which can directly influence the impression of Kurashiki, must come with a lot of pressure.
It's not just about the shop itself; it also leaves a lasting impression of the town. That’s why they probably emphasize enjoyable interactions. Fun conversations remain in memory as "Let's go again" or "That town was nice."
The uniquely shaped building of ura has a counter that is gently curved. This allows customers to see each other well from any seat, creating an easy atmosphere for interaction. Since there are no chairs, people can move freely, easily closing or opening the distance with their neighbors.
When dining at ura, it was easy to converse with the person next to me, and I naturally enjoyed chatting with newcomers.
In the future, unexpected encounters may happen at ura, and some miracles might occur. Enjoying local ingredients and sake from Okayama at the gateway to Kurashiki, I plan to drop by again.
Standing Bar ura Information
| Name | Standing Bar ura |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-1-16 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 080-2921-0222 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 6 PM - 12 AM: Tuesday to Friday 12 PM - 12 AM: Saturday 12 PM - 7 PM: Sunday |
| Regular Holiday | Monday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation | Not accepted |
| Seating | Approximately 15 inside, about 4 outside |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking (smoking area outside) |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Standing Bar ura |
