I’m back in Japan today, and talking to one of the few tiki bar owners in the country. Brandon Grilc’s career as an architectural historian took a left hard turn when he and his wife decided to spend some time in Japan teaching English. They had already become tikiphiles and amateur Mid-Century (American) historians while living in the Pacific Northwest, but now found themselves immersed in a culture where tiki was practically non-existent. When he realized that teaching English wasn’t going to scratch that tiki itch, he and his wife decided to open a tiki bar close to their home in Kobe.

The Kazan Room has been attracting tiki travelers and cocktail nerds from all over the world since it’s opening just a year ago. Hear how he overcame the hurdles of opening his first business, navigating contracts in a language he can’t read, and re-introducing tropical libations to a country where whisky highballs and shochu rule.

Kanpai!