Food and Drink

Or perhaps better still, all of the above?

Japan loves its rules and regulations. Of that there is little doubt. And yet oddly, when it comes to kitchen cleanliness, it almost comically seems like it really couldn’t care less.

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.

Waking up in bed with a monstrous hangover is bad enough, but waking up in an alleyway in possession of possibly the mother of all hangovers must be bad beyond belief.

One has been the owner for over 40 years. The other has been drinking there for almost as long. And the pair of them have been pals for pretty much the whole time.