The town we headed to for our second bar was Haruyoshi, Fukuoka. Attracted by the dimly lit record jacket, we cautiously climbed the dimly lit stairs to find Deracine. Instead of a nameplate at the entrance, there was a warning sign: "Please remove your shoes here." That's right, BAR Deracine is a record bar where shoes are strictly prohibited.
As a record bar, shoes are strictly prohibited, which is a violation of the rules. Apparently, when the plan was first proposed, there was strong opposition from those around, but being a naturally stubborn person who gets fired up when there is a risk, he went ahead with it. 
A record jacket casually displayed under the stairs. The soft light will draw you into the utopia of a listening bar.
I timidly peeked inside and saw that it was a tatami-style venue with a low counter like a teahouse, no DJ booth, and just a single, well-worn MICRO turntable.
The dimly lit interior of the bar resembled the shadows on the cover of Joni Mitchell's "Blue," and the guitar duo Yamagen, consisting of Yoshiyuki Sahashi and Hirokazu Ogura, played modestly, enveloping the wooden Japanese space. It's strange how being low to the ground makes you feel calmer.
It's truly a celebration of shadows. Robert Johnson's complete albums stand out in the mid-century Japanese modern space. 
These are the records that Gajiro and I have been playing as we travel from Shinjuku 3-chome to various places. 
The owner, Gajiro, is Mr. Yuki Fukada. He got the name Gajiro because he had an afro hairstyle inspired by Yusaku Matsuda from "Detective Story," but it turned out to be more similar to Gajiro Sato.
The owner, Yuki Fukada, is a famous bar owner known affectionately as Gajiro in the Shinjuku 3-Chome area, where industry insiders and outsiders gather, including those from MARTHA and Bar Pain. He left 3-Chome when his mother fell ill and traveled around the country. After 30 years in the bar business, he retired temporarily. After that, he spent his days fishing, but he couldn't resist the allure of the bar and returned, eventually settling down in Fukuoka. A true deraciné (rootless man).
Although Fukada has an overwhelming knowledge of music and a record collection, he doesn't make a big statement here at BAR Deracine, but rather plays a supporting role to create a comfortable atmosphere.
Japan's first Showa-era audio masterpiece: Micro Seiki's turntable, MICRO SOLID-5 
The counter still retains the feel of Shinjuku Sanchome. They have a wide selection of whiskeys. You can reserve bottles, but apparently, keeping bottles isn't as common in Fukuoka as it was in Sanchome.
"In the past, I had a strong style of saying, 'Just shut up and listen to the song that's playing,' but that's changed. I was also tired of the traditional record bar style. As a bartender, I don't want to work in a bar where the only connection is through music. I want to be as casual as possible."
It's true that there's no mixer, and if the mood is right, they'll even have flowing water. That said, the charm of the bar lies in the rich, emotional sound that flows from the legendary Bose 901 speakers, said to have been created to replicate the acoustics of Carnegie Hall. The Joni Mitchell recording of "Blue" you hear here is one of a kind, thanks to its live sound reproduction. The elegant intro to "California" still rings in my ears.
These were records that were on heavy rotation in the store, and they had a very worn-out feel to them. Bruce Springsteen's "THE RIVER." 
The vintage feel of the cigarette smoke is irresistible. I've listened to Tom Waits' "CLOSING TIME" so much that this is my third album. 
I wonder how many times it has been played? The cover photo is what Gajiro thinks is the model for the mood of a bar. Joni Mitchell's "BLUE." Side B, starting with "CALIFORNIA," has always been a favorite.
"Even though I no longer worry about the small details like the customer's tastes or the transitions in the music selection, music still does a good job of starting a conversation. When I was in Shinjuku Sanchome, I was told, 'Your bar is only good for you, isn't it?' And it was certainly true. But now I'm happy if it can just be a little break before people head home. I like the feeling that after enjoying good drinks and good music, they'll come again. Maybe that's why I continue to run the bar."
This is the ultimate listening bar paradise. If you're in Fukuoka, stop by on your way home from work, or if you're traveling, drop by on the night before you head home, feeling a little sad to leave.
