Hey everyone, I’m Kazu from the Yokocho Tour team, bringing you my weekend blog update!
Speaking of weekends… cheers to the weekend beers! 🍺 Time for a Kanpai! 🍻
Today, I want to start sharing a little about “Regional Snack Bars.”
Have you ever visited a snack bar while traveling?
When do you usually go to snack bars?
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Regional Snack Bars
First off, what’s your main goal when traveling?
Tasting local delicacies? Sightseeing? Or maybe just escaping reality for a bit?
Whatever your reason, I highly recommend visiting a snack bar.
Wait, you think snack bars are just for locals? Exactly! That’s what makes it such a special experience.
For me, my travel purpose has pretty much become all about snack bars! 😆
Why Visit Snack Bars While Traveling?
Snack bars can be found all over Japan.
Whenever you travel, you’re sure to find one nearby.
As I mentioned, snack bars are often filled with locals.
This makes them a treasure trove of local knowledge. You can learn about hidden histories, local food, and unique tourist spots you might never hear about otherwise.
Next time you travel, try chatting with the locals at a snack bar! You’ll be surprised at the discoveries you’ll make.
Kazu’s Snack Bar Adventure: Okinawa Edition
People often mistake me for being from Okinawa, especially when I’m there! I get asked for directions a lot, but I can’t help with that! 😂
Okinawa is famous for its beaches and unique cuisine. I also have my scuba diving license, so I love swimming with sea turtles around the beautiful islands.
Here’s an interesting fact: locals in Okinawa start drinking pretty late. Most restaurant like izakaya on the main island cater to tourists and are often run by people from outside Okinawa.
The unique thing about Okinawa’s snack bars
The Unique thing is that you won’t find many locals! Instead, you’ll meet regular visitors from all over Japan who come to Okinawa often, and the bar owners know everyone by name. It’s like a big reunion every time!
When I first visited, I met a group of people from outside Okinawa, including a guy from Tokyo who was there with his Okinawan fiancée. We had a great time chatting about their love story and big family gatherings, a typical Okinawan tradition.
We hit it off so well that he invited me to come back the next night to drink together again. Of course, I agreed, but honestly, I didn’t expect him to show up.
I’ve made similar promises before, and while I always follow through, most people don’t. (More on that when I talk about my snack bar adventures in Fukuoka.)
Before leaving, the bar owner (mama-san) told me, “We usually don’t keep bottles for first-timers, but since you seem like you’ll actually come back, I’ll save yours.” I felt so welcomed!
A Special Okinawan Drink
The mama-san also introduced me to a special drink: awamori (Okinawan liquor) mixed with coffee.
At first, I thought, “There’s no way that’s drinkable!” But to my surprise, it was incredibly refreshing with a smooth finish and a delightful coffee aroma. I got hooked!
Even after I returned from Okinawa, I kept drinking it for a while. Definitely give it a try if you get the chance!
Day 2 at the Okinawan Snack Bar
After diving, my hair looks like that of an enka singer! lol
So, what happened the next day?
As promised, I went back after hopping around a few bars. When I opened the door, I didn’t see the guy I had met the night before, and I thought, “Well, that’s how it goes sometimes.” Just as I was about to sit at the counter…
From the back booth, I heard, “Oh! You came!!” And there he was, with his fiancée!
Mama-san had seated them in a booth, thinking it would be more comfortable for the three of us. We shared a warm reunion, and that moment made me realize just how powerful travel connections can be.
We even ended up hanging out in Tokyo a few times afterward. It’s amazing how travel can lead to lifelong friendships.
Of course, mama-san kept my bottle, and we drank at a very reasonable price that night.
I can’t wait to visit Okinawa again and drop by that snack bar.
If you’re ever traveling, why not give snack bars a try? You might just have a special encounter that turns into a lifelong memory!
Want to Experience a Snack Bar?
Guess what? There’s a tour that lets you experience snack bars easily!
You can visit two snack bars in one night and get a taste of what they’re all about.
If you’re curious to learn more about snack bars, join the Snack Bar Tour!
I’ll take you to two of my favorite spots, share my snack bar stories, and tell you everything you need to know.
Come along and explore the fun and unique world of snack bars with me!
