Ohashi Denki The Bottom Line
If you don’t mind walking for a bit, and are sure that Ohashi Denki is open then it’s a bar worthy of a visit. While Ohashi Denki isn’t really designed for sticking around – it’s standing room only here – there is more enough to keep you entertained with its quaint interior and friendly owner means you’re going to have a nice relaxing time here with some good quality beers and tasty food. Make sure you can read at least some katakana though as all the menus are in Japanese though the owner will very kindly help to explain some of the things in English if need-be. Unsurprisingly, there is no table charge, it is all-standing, and free WiFi too – is there anywhere in Kumamoto that doesn’t have free WiFi?!
Ohashi Denki The Full Review
Like so many of our other adventures in finding a bar to drink in, it took us a couple of tries to get to Ohashi Denki – the first time, after a 10-minute walk, it happened to be closed, even though Google et al said it was due to be open. It was only looking on their social media that we had found out that Ohashi Denki had decided to take the day off, having decided late the previous night. The second time of trying, we checked their social media, and nothing announced. So off we went – only to find it closed. Wait! The owner simply hadn’t turned the lights on thankfully! Lunchtime beers it is then.
Ohashi Denki is about a 10 minute walk from the nearest station on the Kumamoto Tram System, though if you’re coming from the north of Kumamoto, then Fujisakigu-Mae is perhaps the best choice. The first thing you notice when you walk in is the unusual horseshoe shape of the bar. It resembles an island that people can huddle around and chat, while the owner, Takashi-san, skittles around chatting with customers. There are no seats so there is no table charge either – but the method of payment is interesting. You are given a small masu – or wood shaped cup used for sake – but it’s not for sake. Put your money in here and as you drink, Takashi-san takes the money out for your drinks and food. The whole place is non-smoking and also has free Wifi as well.
In terms of taps, Ohashi Denki has 7 taps, with a split between domestic and imports. Beers come in one size of about 330ml and prices range from ¥800, with imports costing more. There wasn’t any option for beer flight or takeaway beers but the prices do include tax.
The food involves a few small dishes here and there, with not much choice for vegetarians I’m afraid. However, if you like gyoza and lamb, then you’re in luck. The gyoza here are plump, fluffy, and crunchy – so much so that I ended up getting two portions. You may need to be with someone who can read katakana / kanji as there wasn’t much English on the menus.
Ohashi Denki Details
Open: Daily 12:00 – 21:00 (L.O Food 20:00 Drink 20:30)
Closed: Sporadic. Check Social Media
Happy Hour: None
Phone: N/A
Homepage (in Japanese): N/A
Social Media: Facebook / Twitter
How to Get to Ohashi Denki
The closest stations to Ohashi Denki are Suidocho on the Kumamoto City Tram and Fujisakigu-Mae on the Kumamoto Dentetsu Railway.
[ezcol_1half]Directions from Suidocho [/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]Directions from Fujisakigu-Mae[/ezcol_1half_end]
