Greg Girard - Snack Sakura (pre-order)

Greg Girard
Snack Sakura

Published by Kominek, 2025
Size: 29 x 23 cm
272 pages
Language: English
Softcover with dust jacket.
Signed by the artist

"If you're familiar with Japan, you'll know a certain type of drinking establishment called a snack bar. They can be found all over the country, in big cities and small towns alike. They generally consist of a counter and a few stools, perhaps one or two booths, usually presided over by a middle-aged woman, the 'maman,' or less often by a man, the 'master.' The clientele is generally made up of regulars. Unlike a normal bar where the first customer simply walks in and sits down, the etiquette for a newcomer at a snack bar is to first ask their 'maman' if they can come in. The entertainment, if it can be called that, aside from a simple drinks menu, consists of chatting with the 'maman,' chatting with the other customers, and karaoke. At the time of writing, they are considered the least fashionable places in the country to have a drink."

A few years ago, while traveling in Japan, I noticed that every town seemed to have a snack bar called "Sakura." The name Sakura, or cherry blossom, is so common for a business that it might seem a bit unimaginative. But in a way that seemed to fit the outdated nature of these places, it really seemed like every town had one, and after checking with the Japan Snack Bar Owners Association, they confirmed that, indeed, among their members, Snack Sakura was the most common name. So I decided to try to visit and photograph as many as I could, across the country, from Okinawa to Hokkaido.

At first, I simply stumbled upon Snack Sakuras without looking for them. Once I decided to try and find them, things got complicated. Many of them don't have a phone number or a website. For the others, when you arrive, you discover they've changed their name, the building has been demolished, or they've closed and never reopened. But little by little, I started making progress. After six years of traveling the country, I've now photographed snacks called "Sakura" in more than half of Japan's 47 prefectures. "Snack Sakura" introduces this world of snacks that isn't really "hidden," but only reveals itself when you look at it from a certain angle.