Penguin Parade - Where Tokyo's Cool Meets Kashiwa's Charm
Discover Penguin Parade's cool ambiance in Kashiwa, where eclectic decor meets friendly people and genuine conversations. Enjoy great music, foreign beers, freshly deep-fried nachos and homemade tacos, all in a welcoming atmosphere that doesn't need to hide from any of the hip Tokyo neighborhoods.
Fly little penguin, all the way to Kashiwa.
The Beginning
After another successful dinner with plenty of Buta-bara skewers and beers at Kaneko’s we strolled through the streets of Kashiwa, a city that hums with the quiet confidence of a place content in its own skin. We found ourselves drawn to a spot that I wanted to visit since quite a long time ago and could have teleported straight from the heart of one of Tokyo's hippest neighborhoods like Shimokitazawa, Daikanyama, or Kichijoji. “Nice and Mellow Bar Penguin Parade”, a bar with a name as whimsical as its ambiance, promised just what we needed to unwind this random Tuesday night out.
Livio
Read all about Kaneko’s here.
The Venue
The moment we stepped inside, I was greeted by a scene that was both familiar and fresh. The young crowd buzzed with contagious energy, their laughter, and chatter creating a soundtrack that was as vibrant as the decor. Disco balls cast a playful glow over the art-adorned walls, while little figures of penguins and other animals seemed to nod in approval of the night's festivities.
The bar is located on the first floor, boasting big windows that offer a glimpse into this microcosm of merriment to any curious passerby. Its proximity to Kashiwa Station, just a few minutes walk, meant that the journey Kaneko to Penguin Parade was a short one indeed.
The People
Behind the bar stood the owner, Tasuku-san, a man whose tattoos and beard told stories of adventures in far-off lands, like the time he backpacked through India or worked on farms in Australia on a working holiday. His presence added another layer of coolness to the already chilled atmosphere.
On the night of our visit, the air was filled with some relaxed Japanese ska music, a theme that had everyone's toes tapping. Tasuku-san would occasionally rise to change the vinyl records, a ritual that lent an authentic touch to the digital age. The impressive selection of vinyl was a testament to the bar's commitment to great music and good times.
Penguin Parade’s Tasuku-san
One memorable moment that captured the essence of Penguin Parade's welcoming atmosphere occurred shortly after our arrival. As we settled in, guests approached us, drawn by the sight of my camera. A friendly conversation ensued, filled with shared interests and laughter. To our surprise, one of them reached into their pocket and presented us with a small bouncy Dragon Ball – a whimsical gesture that encapsulated the genuine warmth and friendliness that permeated the bar.
Conversations flowed as freely as the drinks, and I found myself engrossed in a discussion with Tasuku-san that spanned topics from Japanese politics to his backpacking escapades in India. It was during this exchange that I learned the origin of the bar's name – chosen simply because it sounded cute.
The Dragon Ball in question.
Food, Drinks and Penguins
As we had already eaten before, we took it easy on the food side. When we arrived we were greeted by a batch of freshly homemade popcorn that was still warm. And once we got a little peckish later on in the evening we ordered some nachos to go snack on with our beers. They were a revelation, freshly deep-fried in front of us, bursting with flavor and sporting generous amounts of guacamole and cheese sauce. The bar also had recently introduced daily tacos from 11:30 AM to 7:00 PM. Sadly as it was already after 7:00 PM we didn't get the chance to sample the tacos but that is a culinary adventure I want to embark on another day.
The drinks menu was a globe-trotter's delight, featuring foreign beers like the Australian Victoria Bitter, Irish Magners cider in both regular and pear flavors, and the rich German dark beer Köstritzer.
Warm food, cold drinks and good conversations.
DJ Nights
During our conversation, Tasuku-san mentioned their regular DJ nights at Penguin Parade where local DJs are invited to spin the turntables. Intrigued by this vibrant aspect of the bar's nightlife, I decided to attend one of these events scheduled for the following week. Stepping into the venue on DJ night, I was greeted by a wad of smoke, a jam-packed, red-lighted venue, and an entrance fee of ¥2,000 which included a Heineken beer cap exchangeable for a drink worth ¥500.
The atmosphere pulsated with thumping bass lines as young partygoers immersed themselves in the music. The crowd exuded a cool, hip vibe with many sporting tattoos and alternative fashion choices. The sound of relaxed house techno beats filled the air, creating an electrifying ambiance reminiscent of Shimokitazawa's underground scene.
Penguin Parade's DJ nights offered a unique experience not commonly found in Kashiwa or even Tokyo. The accessibility of this lively venue stood out among hidden gems typically tucked away from plain sight. For those eager to join in on future events, checking Penguin Parade's Instagram for upcoming DJ nights is highly recommended – an opportunity to dive into a world where music, community and unforgettable moments converge under one roof until the early morning hours.
I get the feeling that someone likes music at Penguin Parade.
Closing
Tasuku-san, originally from Tokyo, seems to have a thing for animals that doesn't stop at penguins. Together with a co-owner, he runs Penguin Parade, Elephant Tacos, and another Izakaya, a Japanese-style pub, in Kashiwa called Kirin-san (yes, "Mr. Giraffe" in Japanese). All of them echoing their own unique and hip vibe. It's clear that animals are more than a theme; they're a passion that's woven into the very fabric of the owner duo's ventures.
Another memento of your visit that will be woven into the very fabric of your clothes is probably more than just the slight hint of tobacco, Penguin Parade is a smoking spot, and even more so on the DJ nights. But that's a small price to pay for the warmth and camaraderie that fills the air.
Don't be discouraged though, the food, the drinks, the beats, and the people here are truly awesome. Whether you're a local or just passing through, make sure to stop by and raise a glass to the place where Tokyo's cool meets Kashiwa's charm. And who knows, you might just leave with a bouncy Dragon Ball and a new tale to tell.
Penguin Parade, Kashiwa
Official Instagram account here
🌐 Website: https://penguinparade0601.owst.jp
📞 Phone: 090-5540-7057
📍 Address: 3 Chome-1-9 Kashiwa, Chiba 277-0005 | Google Maps
Additional Information
- Reservations accepted by phone or via their website
Opening Hours:
Monday: 19:00-02:00
Tuesday-Thursday: 11:30-02:00
Friday-Saturday: 11:30-03:00
Sunday: 11:30-00:00
Payment Methods:
Cash accepted
Credit card accepted
Electronic money accepted
QR payments accepted
Facilities:
Number of seats: 18
Smoking and non-smoking: Smoking is permitted in all seats
Space & Facilities: Counter seating available, Table seating available
Parking:
No parking on-site
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Disclaimer
The content within this article is a product of various sources, including publicly available information on the internet, personal visits to the venue, and talks with staff, customers and venue owners. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, aspects like operating hours, menu items, and policies may undergo changes. It's also important to note that certain links within the article might be referral links, potentially leading to payments to our site. AI and translation tools may have been used for content creation and writing. If you notice any mistakes or inconsistencies please feel free to let us know at "contact [at] theusualjapan.com". You can support TheUsualJapan financially by either becoming a supporter (recurring subscription) or make voluntary one time payments at the end of articles to help us keeping this site running. For more details refer to our Commercial Disclosure page. We hope you enjoy the content on this site and your support is highly appreciated.
