Winthrop Hotel executive William R. Conant, Sr., and Sonia Fowler (now Sonia Gray) watch as their kimono-clad waitress in the Kokura Restaurant pours a small cup of tea on July 13, 1964. The Kokura was the Winthrop Hotel's latest major improvement, an authentic Japanese restaurant located on the Broadway level. Named after Tacoma's sister-city in Japan, the Kokura served only Japanese food. To add to the atmosphere, the chef and waitresses were of Japanese descent. Customers entered the Kokura through a torii, an orange-red gate, and were directed to small private dining rooms separated by shoji screens. Tables were low and customers sat on padded cushions resting on tatami mats, much as they would in Japan. Bamboo-covered walls and hanging paper-like lighting fixtures added to the dining experience. The Kokura closed in 1971. (Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel.) (TNT 5-10-64, B-10, TNT ad 10-14-64, A-8) TPL-9851

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Waitresses--Tacoma; Kimonos; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Conant, William R.; Fowler, Sonia;

Interior of Kokura restaurant. The next major improvement to the Winthrop Hotel would be the Kokura restaurant in the summer of 1964. Named after Tacoma's sister-city, Kokura, Japan, it would serve only authentic Japanese food prepared and served by Japanese. Located on the Broadway level of the Winthrop, there was seating for 40. Shoji screens would divide the dining areas, providing both privacy and atmosphere. As a glimpse into a dining room shows, customers would sit on thick padded cushions placed on tatami mats. Stone lanterns and simplistic naturalistic decor would add to the serene environment. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel. (TNT 5-10-64, B-10)

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

ca. 1964. Hardy stalks of bamboo are examined by three unidentified men outside the new Kokura restaurant located on the Broadway level of the Winthrop Hotel. The Kokura, named after Tacoma's sister-city on the island Kyushu, Japan, opened in the summer of 1964. The bamboo plant was probably destined for the restaurant's interior whose furnishings were either directly from Japan or associated with that culture. TPL-5022

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bamboo--Tacoma;

Exterior of the Kokura Restaurant. Located on the Broadway level of the Winthrop Hotel, the Kokura restaurant opened in the summer of 1964. It featured the finest Japanese cuisine which was prepared and served by those of Japanese descent. The restaurant was named after Tacoma's city-sister, Kokura, Japan. The Winthrop would later be sold in 1970 and rooms converted to senior housing. TPL-5021

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

This is what the exterior of the Kokura Restaurant looked like in October of 1964. It had opened during the past summer in the Winthrop Hotel with its entrance on Broadway. The restaurant specialized in fine Japanese cuisine served in an atmosphere reflecting its origins. Kokura was named in honor of Tacoma's city-sister in Japan. It would remain open until about 1970 when the hotel was sold.

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);