Tokyo Times

Sliding open the door of an unknown bar is always an intriguing, and sometimes even intimidating experience, as what lies beyond is utterly unknown. Good, bad or disappointingly bland, there’s no way of really knowing without taking the plunge.

Thankfully, the place below is definitely a good one, as walking in is like entering another era. There are no obvious nods to modernity, and similarly, there’s nothing to suggest it has undergone any major changes during the 60 years it’s been in business.

It doesn’t have a menu either, although presumably that’s because it barely needs one. Drinks-wise it’s either bottled beer or sake, and the only freshly made food on offer is chicken thigh or wings — both of which are cooked by the owner on his back-to-basics little charcoal grill. To vary things ever so slightly, pre-prepared pickled cucumbers and little bowls of animal innards are also available, provided you know to ask that is. But mostly it’s about the chicken meat and alcohol.

An overall simplicity that when coupled with the low lighting and complete lack of distractions, is incredibly relaxing. A feeling that’s further accentuated by the almost zen-like appearance of the master when he isn’t pressed into cooking.

You know it’s been a big night out when you wake up in public surrounded by rubbish and perched uncomfortably on a discarded microwave.

Away from the city’s main entertainment and business hubs, old and long-closed shops are surprisingly common sights in Tokyo. A feature of the capital — and Japan in general — that I’ve been documenting for a while now on both my portfolio site, and Instagram account.

Looks, however, can clearly be deceptive, as over the years I’ve passed this wonderfully faded tofu shop on numerous occasions; each and every time marvelling at its ramshackle nature and wondering how long it had stood abandoned. But, while it remains incredibly ramshackle, it isn’t actually closed.

Or at least it isn’t any more, as strolling by recently, the lights were on and the day’s work was once again winding down.