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The development of Japanese snack bars from red-light districts to tourist destinations

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7 months ago

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Up steep steps, down a brightly signposted street in Tokyo, and behind a windowless door sits a “snack bar” that locals have long loved but has been closed to visitors—until recently. Snack bars are warm, nostalgic places that can be found all over Japan. They are frequently jam-packed into tiny spaces and have karaoke machines that reverberate long into the night. Usually, a lady known by the moniker “mama” runs them and engages in small talk with patrons while serving drinks and little bites like dried squid, almonds, or modest cooked meals.

Though the little, hidden pubs have been a mainstay of Japanese nightlife since the post-war era, their narrow layout can be daunting, particularly to foreign visitors. A company, thus, provides guided excursions to snack bars in the capital’s Shimbashi business sector, such as Kuriyakko. A family of Americans is heard singing “Hey Jude” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” while a poster depicting art deco is warmly illuminated by soft lights that bounce off the red wall tiles inside.

After viewing the trip on Instagram, Nora, who had lived in Japan, told AFP that she made reservations for her parents, sister, aunt, and uncle. “I’ve always seen the signs for snack bars, but I wasn’t sure of how to enter them, or what to do,” the 30-year-old stated. She did not want her last name to be made public and is currently based in San Francisco. “My family hasn’t really been in Japan very often, so it was a good opportunity to get a real experience of the bar culture” in a “jovial” yet “intimate” manner. A tour guide from Snack Yokocho shows the party how to say “cheers” in Japanese, “kanpai!” and how to order whiskey highballs and plum wine.

Roots of red light
“Mama” Kuri Awaji, who has been running Kuriyakko for 25 years, stands behind the bar wearing a sophisticated pastel kimono and wearing her hair up in a traditional manner. This snack bar is one of about 100,000 in Japan, according to Snack Yokocho, and some have a male “master” despite the majority being owned by women. With an emphasis on convivial discussion, the ambiance at snack bars is less sexually charged than at contemporary host and hostess clubs, although its origins may be traced back to Japan’s red-light districts.

According to Snack Yokocho spokesperson Mayuko Igarashi, several women turned to sex work after World War II in order to live, but anti-prostitution legislation were established around the time of the 1964 Olympics. They thus “took a simple wooden box to the regular street and served drinks and snacks” in order to generate income. These early snack restaurants gradually relocated indoors to smaller spaces that the women could run without needing to make elaborate food.

As per Igarashi, a lot of them were divorced and parenting their kids by themselves, which is why they were called “mama”. “It was difficult for them to work during the day when the children were around, so after they went to bed, women stood at the counter to work in the evening,” she continued.

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In person
According to Igarashi, there were 200,000 snack bars in Japan in the 1950s and 60s, but as the “mama” retire or sell up, the number has decreased. Snack Yokocho reports that interest in their excursions is rising as a result of the record number of visitors to Japan. In addition to well-known locations like Kuriyakko, the company’s tour guides take guests to snack bars with unique themes, like a golf bar featuring an artificial putting green.

It also occasionally arranges excursions for Japanese ladies who are interested in learning about the culture of snack bars but are hesitant to knock on a closed door by themselves. Igarashi claimed that practically all of the patrons of the bars were guys for a long time. However, snack bars have evolved a “place for them to relax, or talk to ‘mama’ about their problems”.

Social media is where people chat a lot, but nothing matches in-person conversation after a difficult day, the speaker continued. “At a snack bar, people can look into each others’ eyes, and get to know each other very quickly — even strangers.”

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Sports

Visa problems cause Arjun Erigaisi’s World Rapid and Blitz C’ship trip to the US to be delayed; Grandmaster makes an appeal.

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3 days ago

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December 21, 2024

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Arjun Erigaisi’s US travel for World Rapid and Blitz C’ship delayed due to visa issues; Grandmaster issues plea

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi launched a plea, asking the US Embassy to look into the matter and “expedite the process.”

Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi is in big limbo. He has been left high and dry ahead of the upcoming World Rapid and Blitz Championship in New York. The 21-year-old is still waiting for his visa, and he has now taken to social media to launch a plea, asking the US Embassy to look into the matter and “expedite the process.”

In his post, Erigaisi also tagged Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, asking them for help.

The World Rapid and Blitz Championship is slated to be held in New York from December 26-31. The tournament will also feature chess stars such as Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Boris Gelfand.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Arjun Erigaisi wrote, “Last week, I submitted my passport to you (US Embassy) for visa stamping, and it still has not been returned. I request you to please expedite the process and return my passport as soon as possible, as I need it for my travel to New York for the World Rapid & Blitz Championship.”

For the uninitiated, Arjun Erigaisi is looking to secure a spot at the next edition of the Candidates tournament. He is currently in a two-way race with USA’s Fabiano Caruana.

The Candidates is an eight-player event to find a challenger to Gukesh Dommaraju at the next World Chess Championship.

Arjun Erigaisi stated that he had submitted his passport for visa stamping on December 13, 2024.

“My appointment was initially scheduled for December 3. I was not planning to play in Qatar because of this. Then we got to know that it’s possible to pre-pone the appointment. Biometrics was done on November 26, and the visa interview a few days after that. After it was done, I left for Qatar. And when I returned from there, I submitted my passport to the US Embassy,” Arjun told The Indian Express.

2800 mark in the Elo rating
Erigaisi recently became only the second Indian, after five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, to surpass the 2800 mark in Elo ratings.

He also won an individual and team gold medal at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest.

“It’s the World Rapid and Blitz Championship. It’s still a World Championship. Very prestigious. If I do well there, I will have the chance to qualify for the Candidates tournament,” Arjun said.

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Travel

Do you enjoy being at the beach? Visit these stunning Indian seaside locations this winter.

Published

4 weeks ago

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November 25, 2024

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Are you a beach person? This winter, travel to these gorgeous coastal destinations in India
Beat the winter chill by heading over to these coastal places that are perfect for all your ‘beach person’ needs.

Winter is not everyone’s cup of tea. Snuggling in warm blankets and sipping on hot beverages may not appeal to the ‘beach people’. These are the people who ardently crave sunny days, sand under their feet, and waves lapping at their toes. This winter, escape to coastal destinations and enjoy a quaint cold season basking under the sun. Here are some coastal places you can visit to take a break from the bitter winter and embrace all things sweet and sunny.

Puducherry’s lovely French colonial charm will sweep you off your feet! The winter months bring pleasant and soothing weather, making it the perfect time to explore this amazing, coastal gem. Stroll or cycle through its quaint streets and marvel at the beautiful colonial architecture adorned with vibrant colours and bougainvillea-lined walls. Head over to Paradise Beach and relax. If you’re looking for a breather that blends the beautiful aesthetics of old-world charm with the serenity of pristine beaches, Puducherry is your go-to place. Don’t forget to try their dishes that have both a French and South Indian touch.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands
No Indian tropical vacation list is complete without the mention of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This ultimate destination is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts with a myriad of activities like snorkelling, and scuba diving to admire the marine underwater life. If adventure isn’t your style, simply chill and admire the beauty of the azure ocean and lush greenery from the comfort of your hammock. Don’t miss the chance to go island hopping and discover hidden gems like Havelock Island, Neil Island, and Ross Island, each treasuring breathtaking beaches. Try scrumptious seafood delicacies from fresh morning catches that will have you coming back for more.

Puri
If you are looking for a more spiritual winter gateway, head to Puri in Odisha. Visit the holy Lord Jagannath temple and pray. Don’t forget to try the divine prasad. Then head to the beach in the evening. You can also go to Chilika Lake, an hour or so away from Puri. It is a water lagoon that’s popular for boat riding and birdwatching. In fact, it is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. During winter, it becomes a sanctuary for a myriad of migratory birds, making it a must-visit for nature enthusiasts.

Gokarna
Another spiritual winter getaway, Gokarna in Karnataka, is a revered Hindu pilgrimage destination known for its tranquil beaches and ancient temples. Start your visit with the Mahabaleshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which attracts devotees from all over the country. Then unwind at Om Beach which has a distinctive shape resembling the sacred Om symbol.

Goa
For beach lovers, Goa will always remain in the heart and soul. From its epic nightlife scenes thrilling beach sports to calming bike rides and beach walks, Goa is an evergreen winter getaway. Indulge in authentic Goan cuisine and marvel at the Portuguese-inspired architecture that adds a unique charm to this coastal paradise. This time explore Goa on a scooter, doing off-beat things. Goa feels like the comfort food that always makes you want to keep coming back.

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Germany’s tourism industry is predicted to soar in the wake of the 2024 FIFA Euro.

Published

6 months ago

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June 15, 2024

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The Ifo institute predicted on Friday that overseas visitors to Germany, the host nation for Euro 2024, would enhance the country’s economy by 1 billion euros ($1.07 billion).

According to Germany’s leading economic research institute, the accommodation and food retail sectors stand to gain the most from the games. This equates to approximately 0.1% of the country’s economic production in the second quarter of the year.

“However, the effect is only short-lived, so that exports of services due to returning tourists are likely to fall again after the end of the European Championship in the third quarter and remain the same on balance,” Gerome Wolf, an Ifo researcher, stated.

The institute estimated that during the championship, more than 600,000 foreign visitors and 1.5 million additional overnight stays are anticipated, based on data from the FIFA World Cup that Germany hosted in 2006.

In addition, the German Economy Ministry anticipates a brief rebound in consumer-facing industries following extremely low retail sales this year—though not to the same degree as during the World Cup in 2006.

Experts concur that the German national team’s performance in the competition will also have an impact on the Euro 2024’s overall impact on the greatest economy in Europe.

On Friday evening, the competition will begin with their matchup versus Scotland.

One dollar is equal to 0.9333 euros.

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