Photo Journal: Tokyo to Tennessee
Kumamoto, on the island of Kyushu, is home to Japan’s most vibrant country and western music scene outside of Tokyo. Credit for this goes to Charlie Nagatani – the 83-year-old owner of local honky-tonk bar Good Time Charlie.
Walking into Good Time Charlie in Kumamoto’s lively Chuo Ward district is like being teleported to a local bar in Tennessee. The bar’s owner, Charlie Nagatani, has sung country music here for the last 60 years, and is something of a living legend in his hometown.
Having dedicated his life to bringing country music to his seaside city, Charlie also launched Japan’s first country music festival, Country Gold, in 1989. He’s a member of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, an iconic achievement for country musicians, and was even invited to a White House state dinner by the Clintons.
Photographer Lee Whittaker met Charlie in Kumamoto in 2017, and shot the following images for this photo series Tokyo to Tennessee.
Read Next
Japanese Symbols of Luck and Good Fortune
Everything You Need to Know About Osaka Castle, Japan
The Best Things to See and Do in Minato, Tokyo
Hanakotoba: The Secret Meanings Behind Flowers in Japan
Japan's 12 Most Famous Sumo Wrestlers
A Guide to Visiting Japan's Glass Beach in Nagasaki
A Brief History Of 'The Great Wave': Japan's Most Famous Artwork
Traditional Japanese Masks and What They’re Used For
11 Japanese Words That Say More Than English Ever Could
11 Beautiful Words that Will Make You Fall in Love with the Tibetan Language
The 12 Best Japanese Movies You Should Watch
The Best Markets In Kyoto, Japan
BLACK FRIDAY
Save up to $1,322 on our small-group trips! Limited spots.
