Several weeks ago I documented the death of a traditional Tokyo bar. The terribly sad sight of a once lively little place that now lies empty and quiet. Why it shut, however, remains a mystery. Its former owner’s relatively advanced age is the obvious answer, but then again, the planned demolition of the building could easily be another.
The closure of the bar below, on the other hand, is unfortunately not lacking in facts. A friend and I drank there back in March 2016. It was one of those lovely chance finds, and one that was clearly very special from the moment we walked in. The interior, the sumo on the radio, and of course the smiling mama-san. A feeling of good fortune that only grew stronger as we relaxed, enjoyed our beers and heard a little bit about our host’s life. And it genuinely was only a bit, as by then she was 93 years old. The details of that night can be read about in the original post here.
After that visit we went back a few times, but always without success. They could easily have been days off. Maybe days she just didn’t feel like opening. Plus once it might have been because we were simply too early. Deep down though there was always the nagging worry that we were in fact too late, and in the end that inevitably was the case. She died at the grand old age of 96, and the bar has understandably died with her. It still looks the same (at least from the outside anyway), but it’s now merely a locked up building rather than a bar, a home and a simply wonderful place to sit down and while away the hours — or indeed the decades.
Carl says
What an amazing experience I’m sure. It’s sad but I’m glad you were able to tell the story. Thanks for sharing.
Lee says
You are very welcome, and yes, it really was. I’ve had the pleasure of drinking in some interesting places, but this is definitely one I’ll never forget.
YTSL says
Sad for the loss but I’m glad you got to experience being in the bar at least once when it was open for business, and shared your story about it with your readers.
Lee says
Yes, I feel very lucky to have experienced it. No doubt about that. It’s also very nice to know other people got something from it as well.
Jenn says
Oh my what a life! A sad story but I think a life to celebrate.
Lee says
Yes, that’s very true. A long, healthy life like that is definitely something to celebrate. Even more so as her little part of the world also brightened the lives of so many others.
Linda says
what a sad sweet farewell. Right now I can’t help thinking, at least she didn’t live to see the world falling apart yet again.
Lee says
It really is. But yeah, that’s a very good point. She’d already seen more than enough of that…
dminnis says
Very touching tribute you made to this woman , that happens to look amazing at 93. You did her proud Lee.
Lee says
She really did. And thank you ever so much. That really is lovely to hear.
Paul Hédouin says
Very touching post. Thank you.
96 years old an still running a bar, what a woman. At least, she was surrounded with people every open day.
It should have been enriching talking to her while drinking a fresh draft beer.
Lee says
You are welcome. Good other you think so.
Yes, that’s a very good point. Hopefully she got as much from her customers as they undoubtedly did from her. And yeah, it really was. An evening that made a very strong impression.
cdilla says
You caught the very end of her long story, and in your posts have shared it with us. Thank you.
If we feel a small sense of loss, the regulars must feel a huge hole in their lives.
96 and still doing what she loved. I hope to be so lucky.
Lee says
Thanks. You are most welcome.
Yes, on both counts. No doubt a big part of many people’s lives. And yeah, not many of us get to do that. Not many at all…
WP says
Aww…that’s a beautiful story, although sad.
Lee says
It is sad, no doubt about it, but at the same time, yeah, it’s quite a story. A wonderfully long story too.