Tabelog ratingBasashi Senmon Ten Takechan Takasago ten (馬刺し専門店 たけちゃん 高砂店) is a rare find even in Japan: an izakaya that serves exclusively fresh, never-frozen horse meat sashimi, or basashi. This focus allows them to offer a remarkable range of cuts, from familiar tender red meat (akami) and buttery harami (diaphragm) to prized rarities like liver and the 'white-child' (馬白子) spinal piece, all praised by diners for their clean taste and texture.
Guests consistently recommend the five-item sashimi platter (五種盛り) as a great introduction. Recent reviewers paid around ¥3,500 for this shareable plate. Individual portions like the top-grade red meat (上赤身) were about ¥900, and harami was ¥1,100. Beyond raw preparations, cooked dishes like the rich uma-toro don (a bowl of rice topped with fatty horse meat) for around ¥900–¥1,000 and a horse meat curry are popular ways to finish a meal. The cost-performance is a major draw, with many reviews highlighting the long happy hour (until around 6:00 PM) where 'mega' size beers and highballs can be had for as little as ¥500.
The experience is that of a classic, bustling local izakaya. The space is small and counter-focused, which can feel cramped when full. Some diners have noted occasional indifferent service or that popular cuts sell out early in the evening. Smoking of heated tobacco products is permitted, which may bother some customers.
Overall, reviewers overwhelmingly judge it to be excellent value. For a casual, lively meal centered on high-quality, hard-to-find basashi, it's a standout choice. A typical dinner costs between ¥3,000 and ¥3,999.
- Booking: Walk-ins only; reservations are not accepted. You can call about 10 minutes before arriving to check for seats. The space is small and often full.
- Menu: The menu is in Japanese with no English version. Staff have limited English, but reviewers note they are patient with non-Japanese guests using translation apps. Popular cuts like liver often sell out, so arrive early for the best selection.
- Getting There: Located in the Takasago district, it's a 10-minute walk from Hirao Station or a 14-minute walk from Watanabe-dori Station.
- Payment: Credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, Amex, Diners), transportation IC cards, and QR code payments (PayPay) are accepted. However, some reviewers suggest bringing cash to be safe.
- Seating: 25 seats, mostly at the counter. There are no private rooms.
- Smoking: A designated area for smoking heated tobacco products is available.
