Hello! I’m Akari, the backstage staff of “Snack Alley”!

“Diary of a Clumsy Snack Bar Girl” is the story of me, a homebody who loves spending time indoors, venturing into the unfamiliar world of snack bars. Amidst all the chaos, I’m learning and growing through my experiences! From the perspective of a complete beginner, I hope to share the charm and atmosphere of snack bars with those who have never visited one✨

Check out The Clumsy Snack Bar Adventures of a Homebody Vol. 1 here
Check out The Clumsy Snack Bar Adventures of a Homebody Vol. 2 here
Check out The Clumsy Snack Bar Adventures of a Homebody Vol. 3 here
Check out The Clumsy Snack Bar Adventures of a Homebody Vol. 4 here
Check out The Clumsy Snack Bar Adventures of a Homebody Vol. 5 here

Finally, the ritual of opening the 5cm door is over, and the moment to step inside has arrived. Igarashi, the seasoned Snack Bar Lady, nudged me, saying, “Why don’t you give it a try and open the door?” So, taking advantage of the opportunity, I nervously said, “Excuse me,” and slowly opened the door. Inside, I found a quiet space with the mama-san waiting for us. I panicked for a moment, thinking, “Where should I sit?” But the mama-san, with a warm smile, said, “Welcome, come sit here,” and I felt a little more at ease.

Igarashi casually took a seat at the counter and immediately ordered an “Oolong Hai.” Wanting to follow her lead, I hesitated for a moment before asking for the same drink, even though I rarely order it.

The bar had only a few quiet patrons, and the atmosphere was calm. I was still nervous about this first-time snack bar experience…

Suddenly, Igarashi exclaimed, “Mama, this girl here is new to snack bars! Take care of her!” She introduced me to the mama-san, who handed me a warm towel and asked, “Is this your first time at a snack bar?” I couldn’t help but admit, “Yes, I really don’t know anything…” The mama-san smiled and said, “Everyone starts that way. Take your time and enjoy tonight.” Her kind words eased my nerves a bit.

But then, my next challenge came up:

“What should I talk about?!”

If it were a friend, we’d start with “How have you been?” or talk about relationships, or find a common topic to bond over…

So, what kind of conversations unfold at a snack bar?

Stay tuned for the next episode! (I’m aiming to update every Thursday!)
As a snack bar novice, I’ll be doing my best to capture the real atmosphere of snack bars, so I hope you’ll continue to follow my clumsy adventures!

About Akari
Snack bar experience: First-year newbie (in her 30s)
Hobbies: Traveling, eating at home, and sleeping