Food and Drink

Seeing people drunk and asleep on the street isn’t all that unusual in Tokyo. In fact, it’s so relatively common that I’ve managed to build up a fair sized series of both men and women publicly sleeping off a very big night out.

Passed out transvestites, on the other hand, are a much rarer breed. So rare in fact that up until recently I’d only ever seen one — this one to be exact.

Now, however, that number has doubled to two.

When he was a fresh faced 29-year-old, the chef below opened his own little Chinese restaurant. Now, 52 years later, he’s still cooking behind the same counter. A staggering amount of time by any standards, and yet it’s a post he doesn’t intend to leave any time soon.

With Tokyo now unrelentingly hot and humid every single day, the traditional fan can offer a slight respite. Bottles of cold beer, of course, are a much better option. And yet for some, cigarettes, it would seem, are absolutely sensational.

Should you wish to see more shots of this wonderfully photogenic bar, I’ve built up a little series of sorts which is located here.

His stock may be lacking, but he does have a good line in stares.

On an enjoyable evening before Japan played Belgium in the early hours of the following morning, booze was had and belief was bolstered.

The post-game hurt and hangovers, however, were presumably much less fun.