Monzen Nakacho Izakaya「Daruma」Arc (July 2026): Night 3 ・ 門前仲町居酒屋「だるま」編 (2026年7月): 第3夜

Photo and headlines on display at「Daruma」:

Arnold's 1985 Visit to Japan: During his visit, Arnold heavily promoted the premier of his action film Commando (1985)... a moment from this trip where Arnold was presented with flowers by a Japanese woman... In a moment of playful gratitude, he broke out into high spirits and gave her a kiss in return.*

Previous「Daruma」on VAoJ: https://visualanthropologyofjapan.blogspot.com/2023/07/vaoj-s2023rt-arc-izakayadaruma-third.html

*Monzen Nakacho Izakaya「Daruma」was established in 1972, 54 years ago, by the current owner's (she's the one getting a kiss from Arnold) father. The patriarch is said to have had a colorful past in terms of his interests, jobs and love of jazz music. So the shop, family and customers have a lot of history and stories that have been documented through the years in various publications and TV shows, as well as on photos and news clippings on Daruma's walls, the music that is played there and the tales told by long-time customers. I am not sure what a visual anthropologist from Osaka can add to the stories. I am grateful and honored to have been given so many interesting experiences (including indulging in great food and drinks), learning more about Japanese shitamachi/nomunication culture, making wonderful friends and being allowed to take and post photos.

Monzen Nakacho Izakaya「Daruma」Arc (July 2026): Night 2 ・ 門前仲町居酒屋「だるま」編 (2026年7月): 第2夜

Previous「Daruma」on VAoJ: https://visualanthropologyofjapan.blogspot.com/2019/08/izakaya-darumain-monzen-nakacho.html

Monzen Nakacho Izakaya「Daruma」Arc (July 2026): Night 1 ・ 門前仲町居酒屋「だるま」編 (2026年7月): 第1夜

Alternative Ending:

Previous「Daruma」on VAoJ: https://visualanthropologyofjapan.blogspot.com/2023/07/vaoj-s2023rt-arc-arrival-in-tokyo.html

Tachinomi Banpaiya Monzen Nakacho ・ 立呑み晩杯屋 門前仲町 [Warning: This post is rated R for mature audiences; you'll see why when you enter the shop... ・ 警告：この記事はR指定（成人向け）の内容を含んでいます。その理由は、ショップに入ればお分かりいただけるでしょう…]

Tachinomi Banpaiya Monzen Nakacho has been described as "a popular, ultra-cheap, no-frills standing bar (tachinomi) located in the traditional shitamachi (downtown) neighborhood of Monzen-Nakacho in Tokyo's Koto Ward. Part of a well-known budget izakaya chain, it is designed for fast, affordable drinking and casual eating." You should note that it is standing only, smoking is allowed and the shop accepts cash only payments.

The Banpaiya chain is run by Active Source Co., Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Toridoll Holdings. There are around 50 shops located especially in the Kanto and Kansai regions.

Upon entering the shop, if you look up, you will see a bit of a surprise (thus the R-rating for this post...). The infamous ceiling "collage" was created in 2016 to give the shop an exclusive and localized shitamachi dive-bar vibe. None of the other chain shops have this unique feature.

I have been to this shop a few times in the last couple years. It is cheap. And convenient. And many of the customers have been friendly and interersting. It opens at 1:00 PM on weekdays and 12:00 PM on weekends. Closing time is 11:00 PM.

UPDATE 8/17/26:

This was on my fb tonight. The English translation: Stopped by Banpaiya at Hanshin Amagasaki on my way home from work. The squid sashimi was nothing special, but the round herring was delicious. So there was a calendar, but still not the ceiling collage...