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Nov 04 2016 10 Comments

Traditionally early Tokyo drinks

A tense, traditionally attired wait for opening time at Tokyo’s oldest western-style bar.

traditionally early drinks at Tokyo's Kamiya Bar

Categorized: Food and Drink, Photography

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Martin says

    11/4/2016 at 9:05 am

    Buy his expression he seems to be concerned about the prospective clientele turnout , although it appears he is not new to the opening hour by his experienced appearance. Great picture of a concerned expectation!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/4/2016 at 3:20 pm

      Cheers!

      Yes, he was definitely prepared. Not only was he early, but he brought along a folding chair to make the wait more comfortable. A man who has clearly done the same thing many times before!

      Reply
  2. Denton says

    11/4/2016 at 4:19 pm

    That’s a man who knows what he wants! 🙂 I enjoy a few beers at the weekend, but never as early as that guy!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/4/2016 at 5:19 pm

      He really does. A man who doesn’t want to miss even a single minute of precious drinking time!

      Reply
  3. Coli says

    11/4/2016 at 8:27 pm

    Lee have you ventured into that establishment? Curious to see the inside. 🙂

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/4/2016 at 9:56 pm

      I have, yes. Several times. Although not for a good few years. It’s a fun place, but decor-wise it’s unfortunately not very interesting. Merely functional more than anything else.

      Reply
  4. Mareva says

    11/4/2016 at 8:27 pm

    That Japanese wooden sandals!
    I’m always fascinated by such hight platform sandals – Okobo – worn by Maiko (trainee Geisha). How difficult fashion routine they must follow !!
    This man is wearing Zori sandals (if I remember well) . Zori can also be formal shoes appropriate for occasions such as weddings.
    Not that easy to walk in such shoes, I suppose.

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/4/2016 at 9:58 pm

      I’ve only ever tried a pair on rather than actually try and walk any distance in them. People do say that once you get used to them are surprisingly pleasant, but I remained unconvinced!

      Reply
  5. Miki says

    11/5/2016 at 9:06 am

    Perhaps he’s quietly praying to enjoy Kamiya by himself before smokers arrive, even for a few minutes.
    Kamiya Bar can be proud of its history, but it should come with health warning.
    I went once a long time ago and had a good laugh with the local ojii-san, I didn’t stay long as the air was unfortunately too thick with tobacco smoke for my lungs, clothes and hair. It was like a smog.
    I agree it’s the owner’s choice to decide the smoking policy, and I support freedom to choose the rule, but Kamiya should have a better ventilation system.
    These days there are some similar izakaya (with long history) that are either completely smoke-free, or introducing 分煙 rules (more effective by hours, rather than by seating, e.g completely smoke-free before 9pm).
    Anyway, thank you for another nice photo!

    Reply
    • Lee says

      11/5/2016 at 10:39 am

      You are very welcome.

      Can’t say I noticed it last time I was there, but last weekend I was in a little place that had no ventilation apart from people opening the door now and again. It wasn’t pleasant at all, and years ago I used to thoroughly enjoy cigarettes with my beers.

      For small, local places, however, the options are limited. And any smoking restrictions could really damage business. But Kamiya Bar could easily make the upper floors smoke-free, or even part of the ground floor area — it’s plenty big enough.

      Reply

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