World Cup Day 9 in the South Bay: Japan-Netherlands viewing party

In my on-going quest to sample the full range of multinational, multicultural World Cup experiences in the Los Angles area I set off in the morning darkness to Torrance’s sleek new Miyako Hybrid Hotel (within easy walking distance of my home) where the upscale Gonpachi Restaurant opened at 3 a.m. today for the Japan-Netherlands game.

i-b58df12e423e61db7d8084c455cfacea-Gonpachi1.JPG Blue-clad fans of Japan found something to smile about at Gonpachi Restaurant early this morning despite the final result.

Between 150 and 200 predominantly Japanese fans gathered to watch on a lone large HD TV in the restaurant bar, which made actually seeing the game a little difficult from some vantage points (I skipped out at halftime so I could get a better view at home) so hopefully they’ll invest in a couple more screens before the next World Cup.

Assistant Manager Daisuke Muraoka told me the hotel had ensured its second floor was vacant for the game to provide a buffer between the bar and slumbering guests, some of whom had complained about being awakened by cheering fans at previous games.

Coffee and tea (but not breakfast) was served prompting Muraoka to wonder whether he should have charged a cover charge since few fans were ponying up the $3 (plus tax) for a bottomless cup of coffee and the restaurant was actually likely to make less money than a typical morning, despite the big crowd.

The game wasn’t one of the better ones in the tournament and Japan eventually lost 1-0 to the Dutch.

But fans came from as far as Glendale to watch the game that also boasted a few Anglo faces (including a couple of guys from West LA – one wearing an orange shirt just for the hell of it, he told me) who were there to soak up Japanese football culture, they said.
This wasn’t a rowdy beer-swilling English pub crowd, but a generally quiet family-oriented group that included kids sitting quietly on the floor and a few young parents with babies.

And one, I got the impression, grateful for the opportunity to watch with fellow fans.

i-3298d96975f97f3fdfa3f4a9af057ae7-Gonpachi2.JPGLet’s play spot the Dutch fan.

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About Nick Green

South Bay-based Los Angeles News Group soccer columnist and blogger Nick Green writes at the 100 Percent Soccer blog at www.insidesocal.com/soccer and craft beer at the Beer Goggles blog at www.insidesocal.com/beer. Cheers!