The bar below has been in operation for 39 years, and its owner, perhaps unusually for such a back to basics little establishment, is a fully trained French chef. Leaving his native Kyushu at 14, he worked in Tokyo and Sapporo, before packing it all in and opening his own place.
And what a place it is.
We first drank there almost 5 years ago to the day. Half a decade that has seen several substantial changes. The Master-san is now 83-years-old, plus fairly recent health issues forced him to close for several months. And yet at the same time, nothing has really changed at all. The bar still looks and feels exactly the same, and the main man himself continues to love what he does, as well as being as wonderfully lovely as ever.
Crystal Berger says
Beautiful
Lee says
Thank you. Always feels like a privilege drinking there. Even more so now due to the Master’s health concerns…
Harry says
This is so good! I’d never wanna leave if I went there! 😉
Lee says
It’s a wonderful little place for sure. We certainly stayed longer than we should have…
cdilla says
Two wonderful set’s of photographs, and I always appreciate links to previous posts that hark from a time before I had discovered your little corner of the web.
He looks to be the perfect host. If only we were all possessed of such gracious geniality.
Lee says
Thanks, and you are very welcome. Looking back at those photos, what amazed us the most was how almost everything was still in exactly the same place. Like time had stood still.
And yeah, he really is a genuinely lovely fella. If everyone had just a fraction of his geniality, then the world would be a far better place for sure.
Steve says
What a life, striking out at 14. That would have been around 1950. Nice to see an exterior that is neat and not ramshackle!
Lee says
Yeah, I was surprised when he said that. A very different time.
And yes, a neat one for a change!
Tugba says
This became my favourite as well like the Beauty Queen Lady Bar ^^ Thank you for the nice photos.
Lee says
You are welcome. Glad to hear this became a favourite. It’s a very special place.
MrSatyre says
“Why, I’d love to buy your calculator!”
Lee says
Haha, and a mighty fine calculator it is too!
YTSL says
The smile on his face in the last photo… warms the cockles of one’s heart. 🙂
Lee says
It really does. Just walking in there again and seeing his smile was a rare treat. Then spending the whole evening in there was an even bigger one.
Leo Borges says
Indeed the only difference is in the Master body, though his eyes still have the same joy!
Lee says
Yes, they really do. That twinkle in his eyes is still as bright as ever!