Tucked away among the micro-bars of varying themes in Golden Gai is Bar Araku, a place of warmth and mild reggae music where the bartenders start mixing up my usual drink when I walk in after kind greetings. Ironically, the wi-fi password "onebigfamily" is a perfect testament to the atmosphere. I always go to Bar Araku with big news about my life to share with my Golden Gai ママちゃん, Midori, who has had such a huge impact on me because she accepted me and showed me that I am as much a part of this city as anyone else who actually grew up here.
-CALEB
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