Old Tokyo bars are fascinating little places, with layers of grime and lines on their owners faces hinting at the history played out in them. Key elements that were thankfully in evidence at the eatery below.
In business for 68 years, the current Mama-san has been in charge for a mere 13 years. Her mother, who originally hailed from Hokkaido, opened it and was the proprietor for the other 55. A period that has seen an absolutely staggering amount of change, but inside the bar, time has pretty much stood still. And all being well, it will continue that way for countless more years to come.
Denton says
Cool! Don’t stress it, she looks like she isn’t going to give up serving for a long time!! 🙂
Lee says
That’s certainly the impression I got, so fingers crossed!
John says
Nice capture. She looks very happy with her *new* job!
I’ve a quick question if you don’t mind. How do you find these places? Tip offs, Internet searches?
Lee says
Thanks. Yes, she seems very content indeed. As were we during the time we spent there.
Nah, just walking about and keeping our eyes peeled basically. We generally pick a place or train stop that we aren’t familiar with, and then explore in the hope of finding somewhere good. Always difficult to gauge exactly what things are like on the other side of a closed door, but an educated guess is now possible. This was definitely one of the better places.
cdilla says
It’s always good to see another characterful photograph for your collection on bars and eateries.
68 years. So an opening in 1948, the year of the Fukui earthquake, when MacArthur was still in charge, and Honda was founded, and a full 28 years before I had my first alcoholic drink (the latter fact being the only one I didn’t find on Wikipedia). How many people have visited, how many drinks served, meals eaten, conversations had.
I’ve periodically heard/read over the years that solid walls keep an impression of every sound that hits them. I first heard that on “Connections” a science based TV show of the 70s hosted by James Burke – he suggested we may one day listen to the banter of Roman soldiers posted along Hadrians Wall. I thought I’d like to sit in the snug of my favourite pub of the time and eavesdrop on all the conversations held there.
Lee says
I know. Incredible to think about all that’s gone on over all those years. So much history and so many conversations. So many lives that have come and gone too.
That’s a fascinating idea. How incredible would that be to hear conversations from the past? There again, if our conversation was heard again at some point, I’d dread to think how drunk we would sound. But very happily drunk, so probably I wouldn’t mind too much.