Darin and I had our engagement party at Kichijoji's oldest and most famous yakitori bar, ISEYA. We love going there - the atmostphere is great, the beer is cheap, and the service is terrible (we don't mind because the beer is cheap). We mainly frequent the park branch of ISEYA, but on weekends we find ourselves often popping into the main branch of ISEYA on Kichijoji dori to have a beer at the street bar. It's a really special place. We heard a while ago that they are planning to knock the building down because it is too old and replacing it with a 14-storey building. That was about six months ago so we thought maybe it wasn't going to happen after all. Then Darin found this article on the weekend.
Famous Yakitori restaurant in Tokyo to be demolished for being too old
You know where we'll be drinking this weekend. I hate to see something so special being replaced by something so soul-less.
A better panorama shot put together by Daz. Click for a larger version.
That's really sad I hate to see the soul being sucked out of places - spesh somewhere as unique as Kichijoji. Ah another 14 story building - that'll be nice...
Posted by: Sarah | September 19, 2006 at 05:20 PM
I tend to frequent the one near the park also but will make the trip to the one on kichijoji-dori one night this week probably Thursday or Friday to say my goodbyes. It was actually the one I went to originally a couple of years ago when I was here as a student...It is a great little place and always so nice and welcoming.
There was news of it closing and now it has come around so soon.
Enjoy your weekend drinks!
Posted by: Lulu | September 19, 2006 at 05:33 PM
oh no! that's too bad :( i hate it when "old" places get knocked down for something "new" and "modern". when will city planners realize that the history of those buildings is more important than money?! grrrr...
Posted by: gleek | September 20, 2006 at 12:31 AM
Since I own an 86 year-old house, you can probably guess I'm not a fan of the "newer is better" mantra that is so popular.
Any chance you'll be making international news by protesting the wrecking ball?
Posted by: Steph VW | September 20, 2006 at 12:55 AM
your friend Toshio is totally HOT!!
is he single??
what's his story?!
Posted by: sarah | September 20, 2006 at 12:51 PM
It's sad to lose something good. We found out one of our favourite restaurants in Gloucester Road, London had closed down recently, so I sympathise.
I'm visiting Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka) on Sunday. Do you have any shopping tips for a knitter/crafter (yarn/fabric) in Tokyo, in particular? If you've posted about this sort of thing before, please forgive me!
Posted by: Noo | September 20, 2006 at 08:32 PM