Food and Drink

This old fella is probably just as fond of drinking in this bar, as I am of photographing it. And as far as decisions go, I’d say we both made pretty decent ones.

Seeing rice crackers made using time-honoured techniques, in suitably traditional settings, is nice to say the least. Better still, however, is the aroma, as despite their simplicity, the resultant snacks smell absolutely sensational.

Many traditional shops in Tokyo open out onto the street — a lovely communal element that further cements their ties to the local neighbourhood. In older areas of the city, a surprising number of them still survive too, although there can’t be many that boast a working, and still in use water pump like the fishmonger’s below. A feature that has presumably been in place since the shop opened for business back in 1935.

A scene from the past with several clear hints at the present.

Friendly little bars are wonderful escapes wherever one happens to be. Each and every one offering a welcome chance to drink, unwind and briefly forget about all that’s going on in the wider world. And when they are as genuinely appealing as this place from the outside.

As well as incredibly calming the moment the door opens on the inside.

Then the only thing left to worry about is how difficult it’s going to be to leave.