Shikoku’s Best Nightlife: A Guide to Ainan’s Retro Snack Bars & Unique Culture

• Table of Contents
• Experience Ainan's Hidden Charm: Snack Bar Culture
• How to Make the Most of Snack Bars 
• Explained with Photos: How to Spend a Perfect Evening
• 3 Beginner-Friendly Snack Bars 
• How to Access to Ainan Town, Ehime 

Experience Ainan's Hidden Charm: Snack Bar Culture

After enjoying some delicious food at an izakaya, head to a night spot.

Ainan Town is located at the southernmost tip of Ehime Prefecture, on the border with Kochi Prefecture, and is an area where primary industries such as fishing and agriculture are thriving.

It is full of natural and cultural treasures, and the beautiful Cape Takamo, which offers a 360-degree view, and Ishigaki Village, a fishing village that has existed since the Edo period, with its abundance of fresh fish caught that day, and other tourist resources and ingredients, making it a very attractive place.

Find our more about Ainan

Another charm of Ainan Town is that there are many izakayas and snack bars in the town considering its population. This time, we will introduce some lesser-known ways to enjoy the nightlife in the town. Stay overnight and experience Japanese culture at a night spot.

How to Make the Most of Snack Bars 

Many snack bars open at 8:00 p.m., and are often used as a second stop after visiting an izakaya or other establishment.

There is a mama or owner, and it is a place where you can casually drink alcohol, sing karaoke, and enjoy interacting with other customers. They offer bottled beer, shochu, whiskey, sours, wine, and more, but you can also order by the glass.

As it is a seaside town, many of the customers are people in the fishing industry, but there are also women and families who frequent the bar. Many izakayas have private rooms, so if you want to interact with locals, we recommend a snack bar!

The price will vary depending on what you drink and how much you drink, but there are no expensive establishments and most are casual and enjoyable.

It may be difficult to enter because you can't see what's on the other side of the door, but please be brave and open it.

Explained with Photos: How to Spend a Perfect Evening

First, enjoy Ainan Town's cuisine at an izakaya. I highly recommend trying the fresh sashimi!

There are many different shops in the town, so I would like people to visit not just one, but two or three shops and interact with the locals.

3 Beginner-Friendly Snack Bars 

1. Snack Jun

This is a long-established snack bar that has been in business for 50 years. The owner is still active at 89 years old! It is run by a mother and daughter, making it one of the oldest snack bars in Ainan Town.

It has the feel of a THE snack bar, and can be enjoyed by both small and large groups, and is recommended for beginners. Many regulars sit at the counter, and some have been coming here for 30 years, so it might be fun to hear stories of Ainan Town's past.

Store exterior

The owner and mother of Snack Jun are a close-knit family.

An event at a snack bar. It was packed with customers.

2. FREJA

Snack bar FREJA, which is popular with female customers, is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year.

This popular bar has a gorgeous interior and is always crowded with customers. In addition to shochu and whiskey, the owner is a wine lover, so they also have a wide selection of wines.

Store exterior

The owner is Maki Mama.

This is a restaurant that can be enjoyed by both regulars and first-time customers.

3. Shotbar Rain

The only bar in Ainan Town. They have a wide selection of alcoholic drinks, and if you tell them your seasonal fruits and preferences, the bartender will create an original cocktail for you. Many customers enjoy a long conversation while enjoying a drink. You can play old-fashioned Famicom games in the bar, and they also hold music events. If you find a bar that catches your eye, feel free to head out to Ainan Town's night spots and enjoy the evening.

Store exterior

The owner, Mr. Nuyama.

Since support is available in English, ALT teachers who teach English to children in the town also gather here.

How to Access to Ainan Town, Ehime 

Ishigaki Village in Gaido.

The road to Ainan Town is a long one.

The train and highway only go partway, so the smoothest way to get to Ainan Town is by rental car.

It takes time, but the rich natural environment remains, so please take your time and enjoy the scenery along the way.

If you rent a car, it takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from Matsuyama Airport to Ainan Town.

Find out more about Ainan Town

Cape Takamo offers a spectacular view. If the weather is good, you can see all of Kyushu.