Language

With most of Japan now in the midst of the bonus and booze-based hedonism that is the end of year party season, many a suffering salary man will be struggling with a stomach that is almost as out of control as his behaviour the previous evening.

Sensitive issues that probably make this particular restaurant something of a no-go area, although it arguably does give another meaning to dabbling in the dubious healing properties of hair of the dog.

(big thanks to the now back in Japan Cynical Traveller for the pic)

Japanese food is now well-known throughout the world, but much less mentioned is the nation’s really rather good range of beers; which, as well as regular lagers, also includes a few premium brews. The current favourite, according to the always well informed What Japan Thinks, being Yebisu.

Yet despite its huge popularity in Japan, the beverage of choice for many is still considered somewhat uncouth, with bawdiness and bad behaviour seen as its usual bedfellows. Along with, erm, bikinis.

Sake on the other hand is seen as much more refined, especially with its links to culture and religion, which is possibly what prompted one Tokyo bar owner to go as far as flaunting five (albeit rather vague) reasons for rejoicing in a glass or two.

Although whether ‘to refuse the future’ is meant as reflective or as a rash refusal of any resultant headache is very much open to question.