In his tiny kitchen, in his similarly small restaurant that seats about 7, this old chef has been cooking 6 days a week for the last 46 years. And while he obviously can’t work forever, he’d very likely go on for another 46 years if he could.
Photographs from a small group of islands
In his tiny kitchen, in his similarly small restaurant that seats about 7, this old chef has been cooking 6 days a week for the last 46 years. And while he obviously can’t work forever, he’d very likely go on for another 46 years if he could.
Denton says
Diggin the 70s wall covering! 🙂 It’s cool he’s still enjoying his work but man, he’s been there longer than I’ve been alive……..
Lee says
Yeah, that wallpaper is something else, isn’t it? It’s a long time for sure, but he did seem content with his lot, which was nice to see.
Linda says
Looks unusually clean compared to some of these places you’ve photographed?
Lee says
Yeah, the place might be old and fantastically retro, but the master runs a tight ship.
GenjiG says
Hi Lee,
I’ve been to Japan 7 times but have never come around eating in a place like this. Mostly because I think they don’t like tourists who don’t speak Nihongo and also because there are a lot of places where you can smoke, which I dislike a lot. Next March I’m going again to Japan and I think it is time to visit one 🙂 Would you have any recommendations for a nice small place with my reservations in mind? They don’t need to speak English by the way, figuring things out is part of the fun ^^
Cheers,
Gijs
Lee says
Hmm, that’s a tricky one. There are so many possibilities, although most of the little places like this still allow smoking. That said, people are usually in and out so quick there’s generally no time for a cigarette as well.
If you let me know nearer the time, and where you’ll be exploring, I’ll try and come up with some suggestions.
GenjiG says
I understand and thank you, will get back to you later!
cdilla says
Wow. 46 years. A quick invocation of the calculator and assuming a seven hour shift that’s around 100,000 hours stood in that tiny space providing food and a bit of company for his customers. (that’s ridiculous, lemme check… yep 100k)
In the UK our architecture and places have deep history and continuity, but in Japan there is also the same in small businesses and places like this run by a single person or family.
In our village the small number of shops change hands and even purpose every few years. No continuity. And, with a couple of exceptions, no pride in what they do. Even the pubs, historically the centre of any British community, change management faster than a Harajuku girl changes her boyfriend. It just doesn’t engender you to take part.
Was that your meal he was dishing up?
Another fine photograph for your eatery collection. You really must start publishing your themed books. Have an optional viewing of them at the end of each walking tour 🙂
Lee says
Yeah, that’s a lot of hours. His wife was there before I took the photo too. A strong work ethic, and clearly a strong marriage as well.
Businesses do change a lot here too, although not the older, more traditional places. A lot of them are sadly closing though, as the owners simply get too old to run them…
Nah, I was eating mine. I Just fired off a surreptitious shot when he was preoccupied.
Cheers. Haha, that’s a nice idea!