When traveling in Japan, I sometimes choose a standing restaurant for a quick and simple meal. Small standing noodle shops like this usually aren't very big and only have space to eat while standing, but you can always see plenty of local office workers coming and going. They use their short lunch breaks to order a bowl of piping-hot noodles, then hurry back to work as soon as they finish. This everyday scene also gives me a sense of the fast pace of life in Japan.
The biggest appeal of standing restaurants is their affordable prices. You can usually get a bowl of hot noodles for less than JPY 500, making them very convenient for travelers looking to save time and money. You can sometimes find these little shops near train stations as well. Especially in the cold winter, when you're walking down the street shivering and see the lights on inside, you can't help but go in. A sip of hot broth not only fills your stomach, but also adds a little warmth to a tiring journey.
