Located very close to Yakuin Station, this is a standing bar. In the past, Yakuin Station was a place that only those in their late 40s or older would remember, as the Nishitetsu train used to run above ground and intersect with the Nishitetsu City Line, a tram line. This establishment has likely witnessed the changes in the station over the years. Outside the bar, there are vending machines for cigarettes, alcohol, and juice lined up like a trade show. I visited around 6:30 PM on a weekday. There were two regular customers sitting and enjoying a drink. At the counter, there were two groups of office workers. It seemed like they had already made their rounds, perhaps due to the closing time at 7 PM. The system is simple: secure a spot, choose a drink from the refrigerator in the back, pay at the counter like a bathhouse reception, and use the glasses provided. There were also pots on the counter for making shochu highballs, for example. The snacks mainly consisted of dried goods, and there was a wide variety of canned foods, with many from the "Maruha" brand, which is dominant in Kyushu. This time, I paired my beer with a minor snack called "boiled peanuts" from a company called Okayama's Kamo Foods, as I personally like boiled peanuts. Due to the closing time at 7 PM, my visit was rushed, but I look forward to going back and taking my time next time.

Mikimoto-ya is a liquor store located just south of Yakuin Station, a short walk west. I had been wanting to check it out for a while, but it seems they close around 7:30 pm, so I hadn't been able to go until now. When I arrived for a drink, there were three other groups of customers and a few solo drinkers. Surprisingly, the owner was not there when I entered. I helped myself to a beer from the fridge and had a couple sips before the owner returned. I paid 340 yen for the drink and some snacks. The beer was 220 yen, so the total came to 120 yen. It seemed like a proper "corner bar" experience, with customers expected to dispose of their own trash before leaving. Following the lead of the other customers, I did the same. Overall, it was a unique and enjoyable experience at Mikimoto-ya.

There was a tobacco shop on the south side behind Yakuin Station, a private railway operated by Nishitetsu in Fukuoka. However, it turned out to be a liquor store where you can drink on the premises. Despite being right behind Yakuin Station, this area seems to be part of Hirao 1-chome in terms of address. As I walked, I noticed a store that had set up tables and chairs outside like a terrace, creating an open and welcoming atmosphere. The store had a quaint and old-fashioned feel, with a mix of a shop and a residence. It seemed like a tobacco shop, but it also turned out to be a liquor store. I visited the store in February 2016 and was told that they offer "kakidachi" (drinking while standing) from 5 pm. I planned to come back another time. Finally, in June, I had the chance to stop by and have a beer. There was a cat outside the store on the terrace, which seemed friendly and even posed for a photo. The store was small with a counter where a few regular customers were enjoying their drinks. I ordered a Kirin Lager can and sat at the counter, which had a fold-out extension for extra space. The owner was friendly and open-minded, and I had a pleasant conversation with him. The customers, both older and younger, seemed like regulars. The store allowed smoking, which was convenient. The owner mentioned that the cat had appeared about a year ago and had become a mascot of sorts for the store. Overall, I think this place is welcoming for both smokers and non-smokers, and I recommend stopping by if you're in the Yakuin Station area for work or school.

Found a retro-style standing bar near Nishitetsu Yakusho Station in July 2014! Asked a man buying cigarettes in front of the store, and he confirmed it was definitely a standing bar. Took a photo of the exterior and entered the shop, where the man from the cigarette shop turned out to be the owner. He mentioned they have been in business for about 30-50 years, but it was a rough estimate. Chose a drink from the Asahi and Kirin options in the store cooler. The snacks available were canned or dried goods. It's a standing bar run by a liquor store, where grilling the kawahagi fish with a lighter turned out surprisingly good. If you're looking for a quick drink in the Yakusho area, this place seems like a surprisingly good option. (laughs)