Have you ever wondered how Japanese people in the early and mid Showa era (1926 to 1989) lived and where they hung out? What kind of food they ate and music they listened to? What was the popular culture at the time and what did an izakaya look like? Well all those questions can be answered by going to an izakaya chain in Japan called Hanbey which is a nostalgic themed izakaya.
The chain izakaya has over 60 locations across Japan. One of my favorite places to visit, I usually visit the location in Shinjuku near the Godzilla Hotel. Upon exiting the elevator an old fashion bicycle sits at the entrance welcoming people back into the past. The wooden sliding door opens up to an old fashioned wooden bar area and Japanese music from the 50’s. Before even being seated the impressive amounts of old fashioned posters, art work, toys and paraphernalia really gets you excited even if you aren’t an older Japanese person.
The staff wear uniforms that date back to the period and whether you sit at the counter or are shown to the small private rooms with tatami mats and black and white TVs playing old Japanese movies, you are sure to feel the retro vibe.
Astro boy and other popular toys and comics as well as advertising billboards plaster all the walls adding to the ambiance.
The food is also created to resemble popular foods of the time and the best part is the prices match prices during that era. It is easy to try a variety of dishes and drinks without going over budget.
For example, the all you can drink menu which gives you unlimited alcohol and drinks for 2 hours is only 1200 yen or $12.
Food items are also surprisingly cheap with yakitori sticks, sausages, deep fried meat and other izakaya style dishes for 50 to 100 yen (50 cents to one dollar). The bar also has free ice cream for ladies and an old fashioned Japanese cracker snack for everyone as a goodbye gift.
Although you would expect the restaurant to bring in men and women in their 50’s or older with the nostalgic factor, restaurant visitors are surprisingly a big mix of backgrounds. Younger groups of men and women come because of the low prices and unique decor while families and foreigners come for the Japanese candy and toys set up around the izakaya and to get a taste of traditional Japanese pop culture. Young couples also come for the cute and romantic setting.
If you’re looking for a cozy place, interesting decor, delicious and inexpensive izakaya style food and a glimpse into the past then check out one of the Hanbey izakayas in Japan near you.
Here is the Hanbey website for more information.
Comments