There are no shortage of Tokyo bars and homes on these pages that have sadly ceased to exist, and whether it be the emptiness of the building left behind, or its complete demolition, they never fail to have an impact, no matter how inevitable such changes always are. The lovely little bar below, on the other hand, is a slightly different story. Or at least I’m pretty sure it is, and so that’s the version I’m content to go along with.
A friend and I drank there in 2019, and the mama-san was happy to serve us drinks and cook whatever was in her fridge. Her house next door fridge that is, as after nearly 45 years in operation, there wasn’t much of a business left. Instead, it was more just a place where you were cheerfully served if you turned up, but if nobody did, it quite clearly didn’t matter in the slightest. A situation very much like this bar once run by a 93-year-old.
And so we had a few beers, a bit of food was rustled up, and it was a genuinely fun experience. But then, some time between our visit and the end of the following year, the bar was demolished, along with the house next door.
In their place, however, is now a shiny new home. One in which the mama-san lives, as I’m fairly sure I saw her through the window.
Denise says
Those first 2 pics are truly heartwarming. She looked so happy. I’m very pleased this one has a happy ending. 🙂
Lee says
She was lovely. Super friendly from the moment we walked in. And yeah, very different from the usual demolition stories. A real rarity.
Sean says
I’m guessing she used that pot on the stove for 45 years!
Lee says
Haha, quite possibly!
Richard says
Here’s hoping she is living comfortably in one of those houses. Thanks for such a heartfelt post!
Lee says
You are very welcome, and yes, I’m pretty sure it was her I saw.
cdilla says
That’s great to have the reminder of the bar as it was and the additional photograph where, unusually and completely due to your intro, the open plot and blue sky look so happy and optimistic.
Lee says
Cheers. Yes, I was shocked how pleasant that last scene suddenly looked when it dawned on me what had very likely happened. A bar gone, but in its place a comfy new home to retire in. One that’s very much deserved too. Can’t help but feel happy about that.
john says
The car looks as compact as her working area was and the steering wheel is on the same side!
That means there’s a nice space for a few pots.
Lee says
Haha, indeed, but I suspect she only needs space for that one pot!