Reppin Oakland in Japan

Oakland A's caps in the Japanese countryside! I'm pictured above in "Kip's" store in Ena with the owners, the Katos, and three A's caps. The Katos, especially Ken, are HUGE fans of American culture, clothing and coffee. I used to tutor the Katos' two sons, Kent and Kenny, and loved hearing Ken and his store workers get excited about the Bay Area. Ken entertained both my sisters when they visited with nonstop excitement about American products, places and people, and nonstop beverages and food.

The store is named after Kip's Bar on Durant Street in Berkeley -- a place Ken loved to go while at Cal. Peet's is also repped in the store, along with In N Out, LL Bean, Starbucks, Ruehl, Abercrombie and dozens of other American companies.