Nov. 2010 Japan Trip - Post #6: Piano Bar

After sharing a nice meal with friends at Toraji in Shibuya, we decided to head to the infamous "Nonbei Yokocho" (Drinkers Alley) for a couple of cocktails before we called it a night.  I must provide some background on this one of a kind place.  As noted previously in my Blog, I am a big fan of U.S. chef and T.V. personality Anthony Bourdain and his show "No Reservations".  It is where I also first heard about "Toriki".  In his fantastic episode on Tokyo, Bourdain was guided by a local contact to this Piano Bar in Shibuya's Nonbei Yokocho.

This whole Nonbei Yokocho thing (and I believe there is another one in Shinjuku?) deserves further exploration and a separate post of it's own some day.  However, this post will focus on the Piano Bar, which is one bar of about 50 within these two or three tiny alleys which make up this special place.  I must say that Piano Bar itself is quite unique within Shibuya's Nonbei Yokocho.  Most of these places are rather simple, plain, tiny, inexpensive sitting bars where Japan's salarymen (and ladies :-) ) can go to relax for some drinks.  However, while the Piano Bar is certainly tiny, that is where all similarities end.  It is a minuscule two story box of a bar.  The bottom floor can seat maybe three, while the unbelievably narrow and steep staircase leads to a second deck that could accommodate very tightly maybe eight people.  There is indeed a piano on the first floor, and the decor of the place is certainly "interesting" to say the least.  Perhaps pictures are the only way to describe it.

There is not a single place on any wall or ceiling of both floors that is not covered with some sort of "decoration".  And the decorations are quite bizarre.

The drinks are a bit on the expensive side, and there is a cover charge per person, but hey, they have to pay for these decorations somehow, and the drinks are of a high quality and tastefully prepared and served.

On this particular night I led our group to his bar from the Korean BBQ place.  When we turned the corner to go into this "alley", there was a large group of extremely intoxicated young Japanese people stumbling about.  I think one of them was getting sick at the time as well.  It was quite a sight, and caused me to second guess my choice of where I was taking our group and my wife.  However, we walked right through this gauntlet of "late Saturday night Tokyo debauchery" to our destination without any trouble.  I am glad we did.

The Piano Bar is a really cool, sophisticated place that is certainly unique compared to its surroundings.  It is worth a visit I think.  Go there to have good, deep and unhurried conversation with friends or your "better half".  It is a very small slice of what makes up a truly great city.

After leaving Nonbeiyokucho we walked to the Shibuya Station and crossed the street at the famous "Hatchiko Crossing", which is sometimes referred to as the Times Square of Tokyo.  This is yet another incredible site that must be seen in this fascinating metropolis.

This is near where the statue of the famous Japanese dog "Hathciko" is.  If you are unfamiliar with this famous Akita dog I suggest you Google him.  I have heard this long dead Japanese canine is currently sitting stuffed in a Tokyo museum.  A likely destination for a future trip.