Asagaya, a neighborhood in Suginami Ward, Tokyo, is known for its narrow streets packed with small izakaya and bars. For four days this November, 119 of them join the Asagaya Nomiyasan Matsuri (阿佐ヶ谷飲み屋さん祭り), a bar-hopping festival now in its 27th edition. You buy a booklet of drink tickets, then walk from bar to bar trading one ticket for one drink. It is an easy way to try places you would normally walk past, and the last night is set aside for people drinking alone.
Below you will find the dates, ticket prices, the rules for the solo-only night, and what to check before you go.
What the festival is
The idea is simple: one ticket, one drink, at any participating bar. The lineup covers izakaya, bars and other small venues across the Asagaya area, so you can stay at a favorite spot or keep moving and try something new every round.
The organizers put as much weight on people as on drinks. The festival tagline is Meet without making plans (約束しない、待ち合わせ。), and the point is the small conversations that happen with bar staff and whoever is sitting next to you. If you have lived in Tokyo for a while but never quite had the nerve to open the door of a tiny local bar, this is the excuse.
Dates and the solo-only night
The festival runs for four days, Tuesday through Friday. The first three are regular days, and the final Friday becomes a separate event with its own rule.
The solo night is aimed at people who like the idea of drinking alone but hesitate before walking into an unfamiliar bar. Everyone else in the room is also on their own, which tends to make bar staff and fellow guests easier to talk to. The organizers sum it up as drinking alone without being alone.
Tickets and prices
To join, you buy chotto-nomi tickets (ちょい飲み券), the festival’s own drink tickets. Each ticket is exchanged for one drink at a participating bar. There are two sets, and advance tickets cost less than buying on the day.
| Ticket set | Advance | On the day |
|---|---|---|
| 5-drink ticket | ¥2,000 | ¥2,500 |
| 10 drinks + snack ticket | ¥4,000 | ¥4,500 |
All prices include tax. Prices as announced on October 21, 2026.
The 5-drink set suits a quick evening after work. The 10 drinks + snack set makes more sense if you are going for a longer night or plan to visit on more than one day; check the official site for how the tickets can be used across days.
Event overview
| Event | 27th Asagaya Nomiyasan Matsuri |
|---|---|
| Dates | November 10 (Tue) – November 13 (Fri), 2026 |
| Regular days | November 10 (Tue) – November 12 (Thu) |
| Solo-only day | November 13 (Fri), Hitori Nomiyasan Matsuri. Solo participants only, no groups |
| Venue | Participating bars and restaurants in the Asagaya area |
| Address | Asagaya area, Suginami-ku, Tokyo |
| Bars taking part | 119 |
| How to join | Buy chotto-nomi tickets and use them at participating bars (1 ticket = 1 drink) |
| Advance tickets | 5-drink ticket ¥2,000 / 10 drinks + snack ticket ¥4,000 (tax included) |
| Tickets on the day | 5-drink ticket ¥2,500 / 10 drinks + snack ticket ¥4,500 (tax included) |
| Refunds | No changes or refunds after purchase |
| Organizer | Asagaya Nomiyasan Matsuri Executive Committee (阿佐ヶ谷飲み屋さん祭り実行委員会) |
| Official site | asagaya-nomiya.com |
Tips before you go
- Check the bar list first. With 119 venues, it helps to look over the participating bars on the official site and mark a few you want to try. The press release does not list opening hours, so confirm those there too.
- Buy in advance if you can. Advance tickets are cheaper than tickets on the day. Just be sure of your plans, since tickets cannot be refunded.
- Pick the right day for your group. November 10–12 are open to everyone. November 13 is solo-only.
- Try the places you never go into. The whole format is built for dropping in on a bar for a single drink, so this is a low-risk chance to test the tiny counter bars that are hard to enter on a normal night.
Looking for more things to do in Tokyo this season? We also cover events such as the Musashino Art University festival, and our guides to the Shibaura Canal Festival and the Setagaya Tamagawa fireworks are handy for planning next year. For discounted tickets to theme parks and attractions, see the Asoview Asobitsukushi campaign.
New to Japan and still sorting out how to pay for nights out? Our guide to credit cards for foreigners in Japan explains which card to get first, and our beginner’s guide to point sites shows how to earn points on everyday spending.
FAQ
- Q. How much are the drink tickets?
- Advance tickets are ¥2,000 for the 5-drink ticket and ¥4,000 for the 10 drinks + snack ticket. On the day, they are ¥2,500 and ¥4,500. All prices include tax.
- Q. What does one ticket get me?
- Each ticket can be exchanged for one drink at a participating bar.
- Q. Can I join with friends on November 13?
- No. November 13 is the Hitori Nomiyasan Matsuri, which is for solo participants only. Groups can join on the regular days, November 10 to 12.
- Q. Can I get a refund if I cannot go?
- No. Tickets cannot be changed or refunded after purchase.
- Q. Where can I buy tickets and see the list of bars?
- Ticket sales locations and the list of participating bars are on the official festival site, asagaya-nomiya.com.
Sources: Asagaya Nomiyasan Matsuri official site / press release (October 21, 2026). Details may change, so check the official site before you go.