Sake Trivia

[Trivia] November 11th is "Tachinomi Day"! We'll tell you about the origins of tachinomi and how to enjoy it.

November 11th is the day when many anniversaries gather, such as "Pocky Day." It is also the day when alcohol is involved, and it is designated as "Standing Drinking Day." In this article, sake sommelier Eriko Fujita explains the history of standing drinking and how to drink sake standing up.

November 11th is "Standing Drinking Day." Learn about its origins and history.
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The reason why Standing Drinking Day was chosen as November 11th is because the row of numbers 11 resembles the image of people standing. It was established in 1, and the following year, 2010, saw six rows of 2011's in the number "111111", which became a hot topic as it is a once in 1 years occurrence.
Recently, the number of standing bars where you can enjoy carefully selected sake at reasonable prices has been increasing.

Standing drinking has been enjoyed by the common people since the Edo period

Standing bars are said to have started in the Edo period. At the time, standing food stalls selling sushi and soba noodles were popular among common people, and people would likely have enjoyed their drinks while nibbling on snacks in front of liquor stores as well.
Oguraya, a liquor store that has been in business since the Edo period, is said to have a family heirloom in the shape of a five-go masu sake cup used by Horibe Yasubei, a famous samurai who was one of the 47 Ronin of Ako in the Chushingura story, to drink sake from a masu on his way to the duel at Takadanobaba.

Kakuuchi, where you drink alcohol served in a liquor store, is also a style of standing drink. It is said to have originated in Kitakyushu, where the steel industry was thriving during the latter half of the Meiji era, when people who had just finished the night shift would stop by liquor stores that were open in the morning to have a drink and soothe their fatigue.
Nowadays, standing bars, including stand-up izakayas, are generally referred to as "Kadouchi."

A standing bar with a long history dating back to the Edo period.

The number of standing bars specializing in sake is on the rise

Recently, the number of standing bars that specialize in sake has been increasing.

Popular izakayas have set up standing bars in an effort to make sake more accessible to everyone, and some even have small counters inside liquor stores that offer samples as well.
The bar has staff who are knowledgeable about sake, and the great thing about it is that you can enjoy dozens of different brands at reasonable prices that are only possible at a standing bar. There are also many easy-to-make and delicious sake snacks, which you'll want to use as inspiration for drinking at home.

Even though they are standing bars, the image of them being places for older men has changed, and the recent trend is for there to be many establishments with stylish atmospheres where young people and women can dine alone.

Follow proper etiquette in the store and have a pleasant stay

It's a standing bar that you can drop in to casually and it's easy on the wallet. The closeness to the customers next to you also creates the chance for unexpected interactions, which is one of its charms.
For this reason, it's important to pay attention to a little etiquette so that everyone can have a pleasant time. If the bar gets crowded, share your space, don't stay too long, don't shout, and above all, be careful not to drink too much. Some people say that they don't get drunk as easily if they drink while standing, but that's just your imagination.

I want to be the kind of cool customer who drinks quickly and leaves gracefully.

Writer/Sake Master Eriko Fujita
Expand your world to a sake specialty store in Osaka and encounter a variety of sake and sake breweries. Favorite sakes are Akishika, Ohgi, and others.
Other than drinking, my hobbies include collecting minerals and raising swallowtail butterflies.

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