At last, I discovered a gambler’s den near Hiroshima Station.
Handing a horse racing newspaper in one hand and a bowl of ramen and Hoppy, I was on the verge of ecstasy.
If you want to become a hardcore Showa-era Uncle, you can’t just pass by this place…
Hi, it’s “Drunk Uncle”!
Today I went to “Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen” in Hiroshima on my way home from work.
This may seem sudden, but there is a facility near Hiroshima Station that everyone loves, a haven for middle-aged men on weekends, right? It’s the off-track betting parlor “Wins Hiroshima.” The following is a quote from the official website:
WINS Hiroshima is conveniently located just a five minute walk from Hiroshima Station. The building has a paid reserved seating area (Excel Floor) on the seventh floor, as well as a tatami corner on the sixth floor, allowing you to enjoy the JRA races in comfort and relaxation all day long. There are also many other attractions nearby, such as Mazda Stadium, the Atomic Bomb Dome, and Miyajima, one of Japan’s Three Most Scenic Spots, which is a short walk away. Please feel free to stop by when you are out shopping or sightseeing.
I don’t gamble so I’ve never been there, but it looks like the best… What?! You can watch horse racing without being disturbed by your family, while drinking and lying down on the tatami corner…? What’s more, you can go to a Carp game or Miyajima, and buy a betting ticket in between? It’s the best to say the least, and it’s no exaggeration to say it’s the “GOAT”. You’ll ascend to heaven the moment you enter, without a doubt.
Recently, with the development of social media, the idea that “there are many high-quality bars near public racing stadiums” is something that even elementary school children walking down the street know about, has become more widely known, and that’s the area I wanted to dig into.
There are a number of bars for Drunk Uncle scattered around the JRA facilities. Want to take a peek at one?
The name of the bar is “Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen,” a very honest name. It even feels pure and innocent… By the way, the name of the restaurant is not mentioned anywhere, and I only found out later.
I need to check out the exterior a bit more.
There are mysterious horse and dog ornaments, plants… It’s a bit austere, or maybe it’s just a bit quirky… I’m hesitant to go in. I’ve been feeling a bit nervous lately, so I think I’ll go in with a strong will.
Entering the bar and taking a seat. Hmm, my first impression was pretty good… The smell of tobacco and the oily feel of the place give it a sense of history that a Showa retro style neo bar can’t replicate even if it tries to. It’s so cool…
By the way, the proprietress tells me that the bar will be closing at 4pm once the horse racing broadcast finishes.
It’ll be a crucial moment with 30 minutes left.
I enjoyed the mysterious objects, lighting, and wall textures inside the store. I want to keep a bottle and keep coming back. I’m getting thirsty, so should I order an adult drink? I’ll take a look at the menu.
Although you look at the menu, your heart is already made up, right? The Yoidore clan’s family motto is “The first drink should be Shiro Hoppy,” right?
Thank you for delivering it in an ice-cold mug. And, I’ve never seen Hoppy without a label before.
Could someone with knowledge please tell me if it’s returnable or what? Gulp!
By the way, when I was looking up the label of Hoppy,
Original labels
Even individuals can make original labels starting from one case (24 bottles). How about giving them as a shining memento to celebrate a store opening, solo exhibition, anniversary, wedding, etc.?
For inquiries, please contact the HOPPY Future Development Department.
So, they’re doing such a service! It’s not like they’re offering original Tirol chocolate anymore, these days.
Time is running out, so I’ll choose some snacks, namely Mami Tsu. I heard the ramen is good, but unfortunately I can’t eat that much. The menu on the whiteboard looks pretty good. For now, I’ll choose the stewed beef tendon and macaroni salad.
By the way, there is also an oden hotpot, and regulars serve themselves and report their own portions.
Sorry to keep you waiting, here come the snacks. Both are good, but what’s so good about them? The mayonnaise is especially good. You can’t drink alcohol with mayonnaise. Gulp! Hoppy is also great.
As this was happening, the atmosphere in the restaurant suddenly started to heat up… It seemed the final race of the day was about to begin.
The chef, the proprietress, and the regular customers were all glued to the TV – can grown adults really get this excited?!
I was completely out of place, but I kept it a secret from everyone that I secretly toasted the adults’ passion.
Gulp! After finishing my Hoppy, it was just the right time, and the regulars were leaving the bar. I decided to join in. The landlady asked me to pay the bill. It was a bargain.
The landlady said, “Next time, please come and take your time…” …I hope to stay longer next time.
It was a pretty sophisticated bar where you could feel the joys and sorrows of gamblers and old men.
Next time I come to Hiroshima, I’ll definitely have a gamble here and ascend to heaven, then head to hostess bar in the Nagarekawa area.
Is this the life of a hardcore Showa-era old man…? Either way, I still have a lot to work on…
Bar information
Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen
Address: 1-4-5 Matoba-cho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
Payment method: Cash only, I think
Tabelog ‘Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen’
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