Yoshi Momoki thinks back fondly on watching the eternal flame from the Torchbearer at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. A broadcasting major at UT in the early 1990s, Momoki would often take time between classes to look out onto the iconic statue.
“Watching Torchbearer everyday made me start thinking someday I would like to become a Torchbearer myself to light others’ way,” he said.
Momoki’s love for the University is rooted in his time as an international student from Japan. He worked as a student assistant at the International House where he was able to connect with others from all over the world. He reflects fondly on the International Festival, and a monthly International Dance Night at Lord Lidnsey’s, a bar and restaurant that was open in Knoxville at the time.
On Saturdays in the fall he attended every home football game, and remains a fan for life.
“My time at UT gave me a value of tolerance and respect to others regardless of age, race, or gender,” he said.
Now, Momoki is sharing his love for UT with the world. In February of 2024 he opened the Good Ole Tennessee Bar in Tokyo to bring a piece of Tennessee to Japanese locals and welcome tourists from the state who are traveling abroad.
“I am simply so overwhelmed how much Knoxvillians and Tennesseans love my bar,” Momoki said. “Many guests have brought so many souvenirs for display at the walls to make my bar truly authentic. You will be surprised by the interior décors, looking like mini–Tennessee Museum. Recently, I got a barrel-head from Jack Daniel’s with enclaved names of my bar and myself.”
Opening the bar was a dream and took five years to make a reality. Since opening the doors of the Good Ole Tennessee Bar, Momoki set three new goals: To become an official tourism ambassador to the State of Tennessee, becoming an honorary citizen of the City of Knoxville and singing the National Anthem at a Tennessee homecoming football game.
The second of those came true recently when Momoki received his honorary citizenship from Knoxville, with Mayor Inya Kincannon presenting the designation while visiting the bar.
“Knoxville is my second hometown,” Momoki said. “So, the fact that I could receive an official recognition from the Sunsphere city meant I could establish an eternal bond with my second hometown.”
As he continues to chase his goals, Momoki will do so in the way the university he loves instilled in him, with passion and determination; the embodiment, he said, of the Volunteer Spirit.