How Tokyo bar owner kept going for 30 years and is still kickin’ it

Down the narrow, dimly lit alleys of Shinjuku's historical Golden Gai is a tiny bar, run by a long-haired, rock-inspired, fabulously kimono-clad owner, Yuki Ito. Referred by customers as "Mama san," Yuki has been behind 10cc's counter for the past three decades, keeping it alive through turbulent times and despite multiple attempts by radicals to eradicate the area during Japan's Bubble era. She has seen the city change before her eyes; customers age and evolve from poor, unknown artists to famous influentials. Savvy Tokyo visits Yuki at 10cc to learn what's the secret behind running a bar in one of Japan's most chaotic areas. She pours us a drink and welcomes us into her world, which feels comfortable, inspiring and inviting.

How did you come up with the idea of running a bar in Golden Gai?

Golden Gai used to be the gathering place for creative minds, including many musicians, artists, directors, writers, academics and actors back in the 80s, when I had just moved from Akita to Tokyo and had started studying acting. It was the so-called “underground” times for creative people, most of whom would come here, looking for ideas, while taking a few drinks and picking fights with others. It was a very vibrant place for people who were trying to climb the ladder toward success.

I came here first with a few colleagues, and it became a sort of a social gathering place for us. A friend of mine began running this bar, and I took over from her at the age of 26, after she moved on to do something else. And I thought this could be a great chance — I could have a stable income, meet many people and still pursue my acting ambitions. And that’s how it all began.

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