Chotto Ippai is a small bar in Nagasaki, and it's a place where it's easy to knock back a beverage or two. The atmosphere is fun and friendly, and as you enter the bar you'll notice something rather unique all over the walls. The wood paneling is covered with scrawled messages and signatures from previous patrons, and if you ask the proprietor for a sharpie marker you can go ahead and add your own flair as well!
The bar is located in Shianbashi Yokocho, an area made up of small alleyways filled with various bars and eateries. You'll find that some of them are standing room only, so it makes for a fun spot to do a bit of a pub crawl - grab a drink, enjoy it, and move onto another spot! At Chotto Ippai there are a range of different drinks available to choose from, including a host of sake and shochu options from different corners of Japan. The drink prices are listed by the bottles on the shelves, so there are no surprises for what you'll pay. We were given a complimentary bowl of potato chips with our drinks, which helped to offset some of the effects of the alcohol!
If you're in the area and looking for a bar that's laid back, quirky, and memorable, stop by Chotto Ippai - and look out for my name somewhere on the walls!
Do note that the bar is closed every Sunday, so bear that in mind if you're planning to visit.
For more on what there is to see and do in Nagasaki, check out the Japan Travel guide here.
