September 18, 2012 01:35 PM
Izakaya at Gas station?! Sneak preview from their pre-opening event.
[Japan]
By Yu Matsumoto July 26, 2012
Keywords : Gas station Gasoline filling machine Hanshin Shokuhin Retro Sakaisuji Hommachi gas station Tavern
Foodrink has got special news about unique concept Izakaya opens in Osaka's only business district, Honmachi. Here is our report about our pre-opening event visit. Unusual retro signboard saying "Sakaesuji Honmachi Gas Station" was found at walking distance from subway Sakaemidosuji line Honmachi station exit 9. There was sign of "regular", "Plus" and "Diesel" out there as well. Nobody had even thought that it was an Izakaya with concept of gas station.
"Sakaesugi Honmachi Gas Station Branch 1"
Osaka-city Chuoku Minami Honmachi 2-2-2 Meijiya Minami Honmachi building 1F
Tel: 06-6261-9044
Business Hour: 17:00～23:00
Closed on Sundays and public holidays
Energetic CEO Mr. Ｈinokitani in his signature jersey look
Outstanding signboard in the business district
Drink menu which imitated the real gas station
Pre-opening on 25th and 26th July. Grand opening on 27th July
Pedestrians passing the street are obviously giving a suspicious look on their faces and curiosity towards this brand new looking restaurant. How does Izakaya in gas station look like...? The first thing we saw when we entered the place was the real petrol filling machine! This machine can pour beers and Chuhai (Shochu mix) segregated by colors of flashy red, yellow and green.
3 color petro filling machine
Red is low malt beer 300yen, Yellow is draft beer 380yen, and green is Chuhai 300yen
Yellow (beer) is the most popular choice
This concept restaurant is managed by Hanshin Shokuhin Ltd., (Headquarter located in Osaka city, Mr. Hinokitani Susumu). They also manage other unique concept restaurants such as original sushi restaurant "343 Sushi" which serves 2 layers of fishes on the rice "Double layered Sushi" that has 2 layers of fishes on top. Also "Grade 6- 4", the interior and menu is inspired by primary school. Mr.
Hinokitani's whole lots of challenging and playful ideas brought him to create new gas station Izakaya. Mr.
Hinokitani told us, "My motto is to try something nobody has even thought about. The inspirations are from any random thoughts and usual boring conversation. We say, "Let's pump the gas" when we want to go to drinking which gave me a hint to start off this idea."
Mr.Hinokitani gave us a pose with his beer filling machine
Mr. Hinokitani is superbly great at hunting treasure from our every day's life. We often do not even think closely and easily just let it go but not for him. This casual idea of "It will be cool if we can pour beers from petrol filling machine" motivated him to develop on creating petrol filling machine which can pour fresh beer and Chuhai. Obviously that was a very first experience in Japan and he had spent whole year try and error with manufacturer. The machine is now pending for patent approval. This tank can contain 20 liter on each color dispenser. This machine does not impress you just by the appearance but it is actually practical and beer glass used is 400cc therefore 50 glasses of beer can be served continuously.
43 Standing tables, 43 Seats. Table is made of metallic tank!
Various wines are also prepared for girl's night out
Interior of the restaurant is inspired by the Showa period in 1959 when he was only 10 years old. Old school washing machine, TV, fan, and retro Nissan car is displayed within the old building built in 1924. Jukebox is playing old classic music in the restaurant and brings out Showa nostalgic atmosphere.
Old school jukebox 4songs at 100yen
Retro car display inside the restaurant
Classic TV!
The wide genre of assortment Sashimi to pizza is served in the restaurant. Japanese classic food is also served to match the Showa feel such as Oden starting from 100yen and classic favorite sweets, An-donuts. The price points are as reasonable as 280yen, 380yen and 480yen. The strength of managing food supplying business for 400 restaurants besides managing restaurants by their own is well utilized to control the selling cost in their restaurant operation.
Assortment of salmon, octopus, tuna belly, tuna at 980yen!
Many friend food such as deep-fried chicken 380yen, deep-fried nankotsu 380yen, cheese ball 380yen, Satsumaage 480yen
Crispy crust pizza of Margherita, Genovese, Prosciutto at 500yen
Pre-open was full house. Friendly and funny joker in his signature Addidas jersey outfit was in high demand by many visitors from various industries. He mentions energetically about his vision that "I want to expand this concept starting from here to Tokyo and to global. I want to keep incubating new ideas that nobody thinks of." We can imagine his powerful welcoming greeting is heard in Tokyo in near future.
Mascot character of "Yoshida-kun" designed by FROGMAN from Shimane prefacturer where Mr.Hinokitani is also from
