At the counter of a local Yakitori restaurant

Izakaya are among the most emblematic places in Japanese culture. They reveal an authentic side of Japan that most visitors never experience. While Kamakura is widely known for its temples, shrines, and seaside atmosphere, it is often reduced to a postcard image shaped by souvenir shops and tourist oriented restaurants. Yet beyond the main streets, another Kamakura quietly exists. A Kamakura where locals gather after work to eat, drink, and talk in small neighborhood izakaya.

Just a few minutes from the station, away from the flow of tourists, a discreet entrance between two buildings leads into a narrow, covered alley. It is lined with tiny restaurants. Among them, a stand up yakitori spot perfectly embodies this more confidential side of Japanese culture. At first glance, it is easy to walk past. No flashy sign. A menu written only in Japanese, displayed on wooden boards fixed to the wall. At the counter, regulars stand in their usual spots, close to the owner. He watches the skewers grilling over the charcoal, exchanges a few words with customers, and relays orders shouted by the staff.

“Here, you eat quickly, but you talk for a long time,” says one customer with a laugh, beer in hand. The sentence alone captures the spirit of the place.

This izakaya follows the traditional tachinomi style, which literally means “drinking while standing.” Unlike conventional restaurants, there are no chairs. Customers stand side by side at the counter. The space is small, but the atmosphere is warm and lively. Standing encourages short visits and spontaneous exchanges. A comment about a skewer, a remark on the grilling, and a conversation begins naturally.

The menu focuses on the essentials. Charcoal grilled chicken skewers, carefully prepared and simply seasoned to respect their natural flavor. A cold beer or a glass of sake usually accompanies the food, reinforcing the relaxed and friendly mood.

Because of their modest size and discreet appearance, izakaya rarely appear in guidebooks or travel blogs. Foreign visitors tend to choose larger, more visible restaurants. Many pass by these places without stopping. Yet for those willing to step away from well worn paths, discovering an izakaya becomes a lasting memory.

To understand the importance of these places, one must look at Japanese after work culture. For many employees, stopping at an izakaya is part of daily life. It marks the transition between the office and home. Over small dishes and drinks, conversations open up, pressure fades, and bonds grow stronger.

Tachinomi izakaya play a special role. Accessible and informal, they allow people to stop for a single drink or stay a little longer, depending on the mood. This freedom makes them natural meeting places.

After a day of photo shooting in Kamakura, the Shonan Focus team also enjoys extending the experience in an izakaya. Once the camera is put away, these shared moments with clients are an opportunity to revisit the images, exchange impressions, and discover a more intimate side of local culture. Over drinks and a few skewers, the relationship becomes simpler and more human. In Kamakura, as elsewhere in Japan, izakaya reflect the rhythm of everyday life. There is no luxury or sophistication here, only closeness and human connection. For travelers seeking authenticity, stepping into an izakaya offers far more than a meal. It is a way to observe the city as it truly lives, one skewer, one drink, and one conversation at a time.