Izakaya is a Japanese tavern. Among the three kinds of izakaya, kaku-uchi (角打ち) izakaya is considered the dopest. Kaku-uchi izakaya is basically a traditional Japanese liquor store where customers can eat and drink. It’s the type of place where the Japanese find it Japanese.
The storefront of Matsukawa Liquor Store.
Inside Matsukawa Liquor Store.
Matsukawa Liquor Store (Matsukawa Saketen / 松川酒店) is the most famous kaku-uchi izakaya in Kyoto mainly because it’s in Downtown Kyoto. The place is packed with local Japanese ‘salary-men (male business persons)’ and people from all walks of life.
Matsukawa Liquor Store’s DIY tables.
Most customers seem to be there for drinking. Snacks are also on offer. Matsukawa Liquor Store seems to be run by a strict help-yourself system. Customers take their drinks and snacks from fridges and shelves to your tray/table. I was advised to do so by random customers around me. Matsukawa Liquor Store’s owner could be one them. “They are somewhere,” they said. Nobody cared to come out.
At my table were Setouchi lemon-flavored fried-squid snack and sudachi citrus fruit sake.
Prices are all on fridges and shelves. They are more expensive than 7-Eleven but less than bars and restaurants. The toughest part should be to find someone to pay at the end. I managed to pay a seemingly responsible guy. But he could’ve been another customer. Who knows.
Matsukawa Liquor Store’s fridge. Tofu, edamame, and cheese were also on offer that day.
Matsukawa Liquor Store (松川酒店) | 569-2 Kaiyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 〒604-8126, Japan
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