Blog/Nikko Misto] Is it cheaper than drinking at home? Bakachin Matsugoro, a standing bar in Ichikawa

Ichikawa "Idiot Matsugoro"

I often visit Ichikawa for casual business. I'm never short of places to drink, with places like Kagahiro, Asahiya, and more recently Newberg, but this time I decided to explore a new place.

Founded in 2000, it was located in the arcade at the south exit of Ichikawa Station for the first six years, and then moved to its current location.Bakachin Matsugoro" is a cash-on-delivery standing bar on the second floor run by a friendly owner from Kitakyushu and his cheerful wife from Tohoku.

Looking around the store, you'll see a wide selection of surprisingly low-priced menu items, which is hard to believe given the current climate of rising prices.

Chuhai is only 200 yen. The Hoppy set is 250 yen, and the inside is 150 yen, which is a bargain.

Even more surprising is the small draft beer, which comes in a four-gulp size and costs an unbelievable 100 yen.

All you need is about 2,000 yen and get ready to get started!

hoppy

First, we start with the 350 yen Hoppy set. Even though it's cheap, the Hoppy is perfectly chilled.

Once my throat is nice and moist, I start thinking about what to eat.

Stewed offal

This delicious stew made with pure 100% teppo has no unpleasant odor and just the right amount of melt-in-your-mouth texture. All for just 250 yen (tax included)! The best value for money in its class.

Stir-fried meat, chives and eggs

From the large platter of obanzai dishes, I chose stir-fried meat and chives. The portion was a little on a small plate, which was a perfect size for a middle-aged man who just dropped in alone.

Chuhai

I refill my Hoppy Naka twice and switch to a 200 yen chuhai.

Although it's cheap, it's a high-quality chuhai with sliced lemon that you can drink until the very end.

3-piece fried food set

From the menu of fried foods such as fried chicken and fried scallops, which can be enjoyed from 100 yen per dish, we chose the naughty set that includes two pieces of fried chicken, three pieces of fried shumai, and three pieces of fried gyoza!

And it's only 300 yen! A price that makes you want to scream, "That's crazy!"

Pork kimchi

It's time for last orders, so I'll just have a quick bite. A delicious dish with pork kimchi and egg.

This menu hits all the right spots and is perfect for drinkers who want a quick snack.

word used after one has been treated (esp. used after a meal)

The prices were so low I became worried, so I decided to ask the chef about the prices, and he replied, "We have no intention of raising the prices. Actually, it's just too much hassle (laughs)."

Apparently, they've been operating at this price for over 40 years because it's too much of a hassle to replace the menus on cutting sheets stuck to the second-floor windows.

Every weekend, a baseball team formed with regular customers plays games, and the proprietress is a full-fledged manager who even keeps the scoreboard. Both in private and in public, the couple value communication with their customers, and their lively and fun-loving appearance shines through!

This community is too dazzling for a humble drunkard like me! I'm so jealous!

menu

Store Information

Bakachin Matsugoro

Time: 17:00-22:30
Closed: Sunday
Address: 3-14-1 Ichikawa Minami, Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, 272-0033

New beans! Roasted peanuts from Chiba Prefecture, a generous 240g (2 x 120g bags) [Free Shipping] Made with carefully selected ingredients from the coast, ensuring uniform grains! Peanuts with skins, perfect as a snack, healthy snack, in a resealable bag Price: 1,030 yen (tax included, free shipping) (As of April 6, 2025)