Keiichi Iyama was chosen as a contemporary master craftsman by the government in November 2020. (Teruto Unuma)

Photo/Illutration Keiichi Iyama mixes a Yukiguni cocktail, which he invented, in Sakata, Yamagata Prefecture, in November 2020. (Teruto Unuma)

SAKATA, Yamagata Prefecture--The last call came on May 10 for Japan's oldest bartender, Keiichi Iyama, who invented the world-famous Yukiguni cocktail and was the subject of a 2018 documentary film.

Iyama, who proudly served customers for seven decades here, died at the age of 95 of natural causes. 

Koichi Sato, 43, a videographer, who filmed Iyama over two and half years for the “Yukiguni” film, called his death a loss for the community.

“He let others come inside the counter freely and was the kind of person who even strangers came to love,” Sato said. “He was also a walking encyclopedia on Sakata city. I feel sad as if we have lost an entire library.”

Iyama was a professional ballroom dance teacher before becoming a bartender. In 1955, he opened the Kern cafe and bar in Sakata. 

In 1959, he won the grand prize in a major contest with his Yukiguni creation. The cocktail contains vodka, white curacao and lime juice, decorated with a mint cherry and sugar on a glass rim in a snowy style. 

He later continued to create his original cocktails. Even after he turned 90, he continued to work at his bar and remained a shining star in the bar industry. 

In November 2020, he was also chosen as a contemporary master craftsman by the government. At that time, Iyama said, “I am a master craftsman? I am a bartender for sure. And I am not that great at that lately.”

He also said, “I always love talking to people. If I lose this job, nothing will be left for me. I will be like a dead person.” 

In February 2021, Iyama suffered from health problems and was hospitalized.

A wake for Iyama has been scheduled on May 12 and a funeral on May 13 in Sakata with only his family and relatives in attendance. The chief mourner is his son Takashi. 

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