ぽんこたん(北海道 釧路)
Ponkotan, the farthest LGBT-friendly snack in the port town of Kushiro
*Information will be announced on LINE when our store reopens online!
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The only LGBT -friendly snack in Eastern Hokkaido!
Kushiro is a port town in eastern Hokkaido. It is a city that represents Eastern Hokkaido, where various industries have gathered since ancient times. In recent years, many tourists have come to enjoy the majestic nature of Eastern Hokkaido, such as Kushiro Marsh, one of the world's most famous wetlands, and Shiretoko, which is registered as a World Natural Heritage site.
In the evening, the city is shrouded in mist, creating a magical atmosphere. In the red-light district, the signs of many restaurants and snack bars are lit up. Many people are having a good time with alcohol in their hands.
"Ponkotan" in Kushiro. The owner of Tanabe is from Chiba prefecture. Until 2019 , I was enrolled in Recruit, serving as editor-in-chief of the nationwide free papers SUUMO Magazine and Building a Home Locally, as well as deputy editor-in-chief of SUUMO , disseminating information about housing through television and newspapers. . Since I was working in Tokyo, I have come out as gay at work and have been active in LGBT diversity and inclusion both inside and outside the company. In 2019 , I moved to Kushiro and now work to support local SMEs.
Since there are no gay bars or LGBT -friendly drinking establishments in Kushiro where you can casually drop by, I opened an LGBT -friendly snack bar with a local LGBT friend.
At the shop, we recommend whiskey, which the owner Tanabe loves (he even went to the island of Islay in Scotland, the holy land of whiskey, to visit distilleries!)! We serve single malts with strong peat and rare whiskeys bought on Islay to our customers little by little.
In addition, standard beers, sours, cocktails, shochu split, highballs, etc. are also available, and cloudy IPA beer is brewed with an original recipe and served as the original beer of "Ponkotan". For soft drinks, you can also enjoy specialty coffee from Kushiro's popular "Funaki Coffee" and delicious milk from Hokkaido.
Leisurely owner and unique staff!
As an LGBT person, the image of being gay might be a lively and fun character, but he said, "I'm rather a quiet and laid-back type. I think it's perfect for this," says Tanabe owner. He also has a qualification for real estate, and his special skill is searching for properties. He has helped many friends find homes.
The staff who run the shop together are all unique! Pandaya is transgender and a fortune teller. He is a warm character who is loved by many people in his hometown and is good at cooking. Lime is a cheerful character who can get along with anyone immediately. He loves the "werewolf game" and is the leader of the local werewolf club.
At the shop, if you are an LGBT person, they will listen to your story, which is something that you cannot usually talk about outside. Not only LGBT people, but also people who want to talk with LGBT people are welcome. You can also tell me about delicious shops and sightseeing spots in Kushiro.
<To customers>
It's the furthest LGBT-friendly snack. I would like to make it a place where people who are a little tired of everyday life and LGBT people who usually find it difficult to open up about themselves can stop by. Please come and visit us with your favorite sake. We'll be expecting you.
【store information】
Address: KUSHIRO SUEHIRO BASE 204, 2-3 Sakaemachi, Kushiro City, Hokkaido
Phone: 080-3700-0946
Business hours: 20:00-24:00
▷ Twitter : https://twitter.com/poncotan946
▷ LINE ID: @981rdiky
*This information may differ from the latest information. Please note.
【Cancellation policy】and【Notes】in English are below.
【Precautions for Online Snack Bar】
*We cannot refund ticket fees due to customer convenience.
*For operating hours spanning across days, please refer to the following example: Example: 24:00 on the 19th = 12:00 AM on the 20th, 25:00 on the 19th = 1:00 AM on the 20th.
*Tickets purchased just before the event time, or tickets for which the event time has passed, may be canceled even if purchased. Thank you for your understanding.
*In the unlikely event that the snack bar operator deems any behavior or remarks to be inappropriate, such as causing trouble to other customers or staff, video recording or forced removal from the venue may occur. Thank you for your understanding.
*Each ticket is valid for one person only. If multiple people use the same screen, please purchase tickets for the number of people.
*We cannot extend, reschedule, or cancel due to connection issues or other problems. We kindly ask that you test your connection, movie, and sound for "jitsi" (https://meet.jit.si/snackyokocho/test) or "whereby" (https://snack.whereby.com/test), which are used for the snack bar experience, in advance. For details, please refer to "Frequently Asked Questions Q&A" (https://snackyokocho.com/pages/help-2).
【Precautions for Events/Tours】
*Regarding refunds
We are unable to provide refunds for ticket fees due to customer convenience. In the event of unavoidable cancellation due to inclement weather, disaster, etc., we will contact you and issue a refund by 6 PM the day before. If the event is postponed due to unavoidable reasons such as severe weather or disaster, and you are unable to attend on the rescheduled date, we will issue a refund.
*Regarding Event/Tour Schedule and Plans
Event content may be subject to sudden changes depending on the operating status of the venue. We will notify you of any changes to the event content as far in advance as possible.
*Regarding Lateness
If you are late for the event start time due to personal reasons, we cannot wait as it may inconvenience other participants. In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as transportation delays, please contact the emergency contact number immediately.
*Information on Meals and Allergies
Please inform us in advance if you have any allergies. However, please understand that we may not be able to accommodate all allergies.
*Manners and Rules
Please be considerate of other customers and participate in the event in accordance with manners and rules.
*Responsibility and Guarantee
We cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage to valuables or luggage, or for any injuries sustained during the tour.
*Intentional Damage or Injury
If you intentionally damage property or cause injury, you may be charged for the costs.
*Verbal Abuse, Sexual Harassment, and Solicitation
To ensure that all participants can enjoy our events with peace of mind, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, and solicitation are strictly prohibited. If such acts are discovered, we will take strict action and you may be asked to leave the event. Please understand that any additional expenses or cancellation fees incurred as a result of leaving the event will be your responsibility.
*Regarding COVID-19 Measures
Depending on the establishment, wearing masks, temperature checks, and hand sanitization may be required. Please follow the guidelines of each establishment.
*Regarding Content Used in Tours/Events
Customers are expressly prohibited from copying, reproducing, or republishing any part of the tour content. Copying or attempting to copy material used in the tour is a crime.
【Cancellation policy】
We are unable to accommodate refunds for ticket payments based on your convenience. In the event of unavoidable cancellation due to inclement weather, disasters, or other circumstances, we will inform you and provide a refund if notified by 6:00 PM the day before. If the event is postponed due to unavoidable reasons such as severe weather or disasters, and you are unable to attend on the rescheduled date, we will issue a refund.
【Notes】
1,Travel Insurance:
We recommend purchasing travel insurance to prepare for unexpected situations such as sudden illness or injury. Please ensure that you have the necessary insurance coverage by yourself.
2,Tour Schedule and Plan:
Changes may occur to the tour schedule or plan due to the operating status of the bar and snack. We will notify you in advance if there are any changes to the tour itinerary.
3,Late Arrival:
If you are late for the tour departure time due to personal reasons, we cannot wait as it may inconvenience other participants. If unforeseen circumstances such as transportation delays occur, please contact the emergency contact immediately.
4,Information on Meals and Allergies:
Please inform us in advance if you have any allergies. However, we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate all allergies, so please understand in advance.
5,Local Manners and Rules:
We will explain the local manners and rules on the day of the tour. Please participate in the tour with an understanding of the culture and customs.
6,Responsibility and Guarantee:
We cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage, or injury that may occur during the tour to your valuables or luggage.
7,Intentional Damage or Injury:
If you intentionally damage any property or cause injury, you will be held responsible for the cost.
8,Verbal Abuse and Sexual Harassment:
To ensure that all participants can enjoy the trip with peace of mind, acts such as verbal abuse and sexual harassment are strictly prohibited on our tours. If such acts are discovered, we will handle them strictly and you may be asked to leave the tour. Please note that any additional expenses or cancellation fees resulting from leaving the tour will be at your own expense.
9,COVID-19 Measures:
Some bars and snacks may require wearing masks, taking temperature, and disinfecting hands. Please follow the guidelines of each store.










