No.9 Guard-shita

About Guard-shita (Underpass Bars and Restaurants)

In Japan, there is a place called guard-shita or the bar under the viaduct. If the railroad track or road is above the viaduct, the space below becomes bars and restaurants. Such places are usually narrow. And the prices of drinks and snacks are usually cheap. Old men who love to drink meet face to face every night and drink draft beer or shochu-high. Yakitori is a classic snack at such places. There are many guard-shita near the JR Yamanote stations. those guard-shita placee were hidden driving forces for Japan’s economic growth. Yuraku-cho, one of those JR stations, is close to Tokyo Station and also close to Ginza. In the 1950s, it was featured in pop songs and movies, and became one of Tokyo’s leading downtowns. It is also the guard-shita bar area that has given this city a unique atmosphere now and before. Since a long time ago men returning from work drop in and snuggle to drink. It is also one of the typical ways of Japanese worker’s spending the night.

“—– By the way, a bar under a track viaduct is just exciting, isn’t it?” “If you get hot shochu or sake here, you’ll not only warm yourself but also feel better.” “Is it good to have fried chicken for a side dish?” I can hear such conversation. Well, let’s alleviate today’s grief while talking about such things, and expand our hopes for tomorrow a little.

Google Map:　https://goo.gl/maps/hC4LWPEb5MMyPV8z8

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