• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

  • Photowalks
  • Book and Prints
  • Newsletter
  • Portfolio
  • About/Contact
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

Jun 03 2025 11 Comments

An old Tokyo bar, its owners and a rare case of renewal

A friend and I first visited this wonderful old bar in 2019. Even then it was clear the area was changing. There were numerous gaps where old businesses once stood, and other plots already boasted brand new apartment buildings.

We went back again towards the end of 2023, and the little establishment was one of the last original structures remaining. Also, with its neighbours no more, the nearby train station was clearly visible. A thoroughly apt view, as its close proximity is what presumably made the land so sought after.

The end then was sadly imminent. Merely a matter of time before the demolition notice was delivered, calling last orders on 52 years of its lovely proprietors serving up drinks, food and good humour.

Except for once it wasn’t.

The bar was indeed pulled down not long after, but the owners carefully saved the counter, along with most of what made the interior so distinctive. All of which they moved into a slightly newer building not that far away, making for a reassuring and very rare case of renewal. A new spot that once we sat down felt just like the old one. Like a home from home.

old Tokyo bar renewal

old Tokyo bar renewal

old Tokyo bar renewal

old Tokyo bar renewal

old Tokyo bar renewal

old Tokyo bar renewal

For something else new, I’ve started a monthly newsletter. A way to talk a little more about certain images, Japan and photography in general, plus other stuff that tends not to work here or on social media. This first offering includes details about a couple of recent shots and some just about saved film photos. Oh, and print sales too.

If that sounds of interest, you can access it on the web here, and this is the subscribe form for future updates:

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Denise says

    6/3/2025 at 10:40 am

    Oh my they are just delightful! 🙂 Thank you so much for these.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/4/2025 at 8:16 am

      You are very welcome. And yeah, they really are lovely. They create such a relaxed atmosphere.

      Reply
  2. YesterdaysHero says

    6/3/2025 at 12:00 pm

    You have excelled yourself here, Lee. A story of pride and dedication beautifully told. Their smiles say it all.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/4/2025 at 8:18 am

      Thank you very much. And yeah, they really do. A genuine privilege to be able to tell this story.

      Reply
  3. cdilla says

    6/3/2025 at 3:38 pm

    What a wonderful story your photographs and words tell. The last photograph is the alternate happy ending you wish for made real.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/4/2025 at 8:19 am

      Thank you very much. I know eh? Such a rarity too, which makes it all the sweeter.

      Reply
  4. Monie says

    6/3/2025 at 6:11 pm

    Location? In Tokyo now and would like to visit

    Reply
  5. Richard says

    6/3/2025 at 8:40 pm

    Heartwarming to see at least one business find a way to adapt and survive!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/4/2025 at 8:29 am

      Yes, it really is. A rare one too which made it all the nicer. It was lovely to walk in the new place and have it feel so much like the old one.

      Reply
  6. Linda says

    6/4/2025 at 7:22 am

    Thanks, I really needed that, and I’m sure I’m not the only one

    Reply
    • Lee says

      6/4/2025 at 8:30 am

      You are very welcome. This one was a real pleasure to be able to document and tell.

      Reply

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Footer

Copyright © 2025 · Tokyo Times