After a Christmas holiday spent in France, Issam returned to Japan with the comfort of knowing that he was home. His friends and family had begun to understand the love he had been growing for his new home, and the prospect of a new job meant a positive start to the new year.

A crew sent from his former company in Montreal was arriving in the city, including Issam’s friend Cyril, and plans were made to meet up in a bar in Nihonbashi, popularly known as a ‘Salary-man’ (white-collar) neighborhood. Drinks were shared over nostalgic memories of sharing poutine in wintery Quebec — hunger spurring the pair to seek an authentic eatery.

As a rule, Issam rejects using search engines to determine where to go, and trusts a more spontaneous approach of walking the streets and discovering new places.

Stumbling upon Yasai Izakaya Genki — a unique-looking restaurant and bakery with an unclear entrance, Issam and Cyril were seated at the counter facing the chef: extravagantly dressed in a colorful Kimono, wig, turtle watch and a tattoo of 天 Ten from Tengoku (meaning heaven) on his hand.

The space was filled with bizarre dolls and plush turtles, and the longer they spent in the presence of the chef, the decor and creative atmosphere began to make sense.

Ordering sake and exquisite dishes recommended by the chef, including an Avocado Okonomiyaki, Issam and Cyril were transported into the world of Niino-san.

Overhearing that Issam is a filmmaker, the chef showed him a video he had been featured in displaying the style and character of Harajuku.

When the meal was eaten and their glasses of nihonshu drunk, the two accompanied Niino-san out on to the street where he removed his wig to display a smiley face he had drawn on the back of his head.

This was the moment in which Issam knew that he wanted to collaborate with this eccentric and truly unique character.

A few days later, Issam met Niino-san and his wife at the bakery and restaurant and was shown around their house — a museum of miscellaneous collections of Samurai armor, pottery, and terrariums for their nine turtles.

Once returned to the restaurant, the two improvised and Issam was awed by the chef’s showmanship and comfortable presence before the camera.