Most towns in Japan, even the dustier nooks of the big metropolises, still have a family-run eatery. The plastic menu'd and microwave-food conglomerates still haven't swallowed them up.
Great story! There is nothing better than night in an unfamiliar town and trawling the streets for an izakaya. Love the crate-space under the tatami in the first picture!
Very very kind. I’ve been horribly busy with day job stuff and visits into Japan I needed to help with. Frustrating because this story was cooking in my head quite some time! I’m glad you appreciated it and MUCHO GRACIAS for the restack.
I loved all the details you shared. My husband and I are regulars at a few places near us in Kamakura. Until he and i got married 12 years ago I had never been much of a regular anywhere, feeling like I wanted to go to different places and also not as likely to eat out so much, but thanks to my husband I've really come to love the feeling of being a 常連.
Though there’s one old girl who runs a place called Toraya. Old school Japanese western food in a perpetual fog of cigarette smoke. She opens 11am to 1am daily and alone. She looks about 90 but that could be her skin being tanned by the smoke. Even her old shop burning down didn’t stop her. She got new premises in an old Showa building near the station. An Aussie visitor I took there asked if it was a gay bar due to the total absence of women customers.
you do a great job of describing the experience in intimate terms yet also convey its universality. would love to have a drink here
Thank you. So glad it came across.
Great story! There is nothing better than night in an unfamiliar town and trawling the streets for an izakaya. Love the crate-space under the tatami in the first picture!
You saw that!!! Yup she bends 120 degrees down to haul those plastic crates out from below. And every coke or soda water comes in a glass bottle.
Very glad you enjoyed the story!
Now I get it! Agree on all counts
This was a great story, thank you!
Great piece! One question: What’s a loach? English explanation is fine although the 日本語 name might be more familiar within the izakaya context.
Oh, and thanks for reading through (all of) this!!
Dojou. A disgusting idea, but crispy deep fried with ponzu sauce is heaven.
You've really been on a roll here at the Glen, Jack! Every time I open the newsletter it's another piece of fascinating local color!
Very very kind. I’ve been horribly busy with day job stuff and visits into Japan I needed to help with. Frustrating because this story was cooking in my head quite some time! I’m glad you appreciated it and MUCHO GRACIAS for the restack.
Top-notch story-telling. Bravo Jacko.
Thank you so much! Kampai to greasy izakaya!
Absolutely delightful.
Kampai!!
In my family, we have an expression to describe how we feel when we’ve thoroughly enjoyed something: me belly full.
Reading this, me belly full…but I crave more.
Absolutely wonderful!! Both the expression and the thought.
I loved all the details you shared. My husband and I are regulars at a few places near us in Kamakura. Until he and i got married 12 years ago I had never been much of a regular anywhere, feeling like I wanted to go to different places and also not as likely to eat out so much, but thanks to my husband I've really come to love the feeling of being a 常連.
I very much get it. Often it’s others around us who can encourage and goose interactions.
Sadly many near us took the subsidies offered to close during Covid and got used to not working - they simply never reopened.
Oh boy.
Though there’s one old girl who runs a place called Toraya. Old school Japanese western food in a perpetual fog of cigarette smoke. She opens 11am to 1am daily and alone. She looks about 90 but that could be her skin being tanned by the smoke. Even her old shop burning down didn’t stop her. She got new premises in an old Showa building near the station. An Aussie visitor I took there asked if it was a gay bar due to the total absence of women customers.
Bwahhahahah!!