My weekend pleasure is enjoying a craft beer at a standing bar.

　Until now, I hadn't often gone out for drinks in front of Toyama Station. That was because it was far from my home, or because taking the train (tram) was a bit of a hassle. But ever since I discovered this place, I've been more eager to hop on the tram and go drinking in front of the station.
 
　"A CORNER SHOP" is a craft beer shop run by Aya Yoshino. I learned about this shop from someone's Instagram post. I was drawn to the clean and refreshing atmosphere, which is something you don't often see in Toyama, but for a while after it opened, I only looked at it on my smartphone screen.
 
　Then one day, a post from a friend on Instagram gave me the push I needed to go out, despite my reluctance to leave the house.
"This is a great place!" he exclaimed, happily drinking a delicious-looking beer. Watching from my phone, I felt a pang of jealousy, so I invited another friend and hurried off to the restaurant.
 

　The shop has a refrigerator with taps, a counter, a large refrigerator for chilling canned beer, and two long tables. Although the shop is compact, the high ceilings give it an open and airy feel. And it's a rare standing-only bar in Toyama.
 
　Ordering is simple: choose your favorite beer and pay cash at the counter. There are always 3-4 types of Japanese craft beer on tap, and a large refrigerator stocked with canned craft beers. The selection is said to be 60% domestic and 40% international. Of course, they also have craft beer from Toyama.

　Choosing a beer is simply a matter of trusting your intuition. I get lost in the colorful, cute, and unique labels, and then I find one that really catches my eye. Sometimes I'm overwhelmed by the choices and can't decide, but even that time is enjoyable.

　Aya originally worked in the apparel industry, gaining experience as a buyer in Tokyo and overseas, before returning to her hometown of Toyama due to the pandemic. She wanted to do something fun. She wanted to open a shop. She loves beer. And she wanted to create a place in Toyama where "women can casually come in and have a drink alone." All these feelings came together, and she just went for it and opened the shop. That's cool. I was truly impressed by her vitality.
 
　The shop's name comes from Aya's "A" and "corner" from "kakuchi" (standing bar). Having worked at breweries outside the prefecture, her beer selection has a certain flair.
 
　This place is fun to go to with someone, but I think it's perfect for going alone. I choose a beer, drink it, chat with Aya and the other customers, and then head to the next place. Aya always sees me off with a smile when I leave, which makes me feel a little sad to leave...

　Besides snacks, the bar also offers homemade quiches and baked goods from Aya, depending on the day. Among them, the "sandwich" is highly recommended. It features homemade bread filled with jam and ham, creating a sweet and salty, unique flavor. The firm texture and exquisite balance of flavors are addictive. Apparently, it's a recreation of a sandwich she had at an American bar, and it goes perfectly with beer.

　They occasionally host pop-up events featuring chefs, bringing together people of all ages, from young to old, around the same table. Everyone mingles through this place, enjoying craft beer together. It might seem like a normal thing, but to me, it feels fresh and is a very precious experience.

　It's perfect for a pre-dinner drink, and also great for a quick drink on the way home. If someone from outside the city is staying near Toyama Station, I think they'll be really happy to find this place nearby. Just having a place to stop by for a little while before heading back to the hotel makes a big difference in the overall satisfaction of a trip.

　It's open from 14 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. Drinking beer in the afternoon brings more of a feeling of liberation than guilt. If it's the weekend, I highly recommend taking a walk towards A CORNER. (I)