Sasebo has an image of being strongly influenced by American culture due to the fact that a US military base was established there after the war, but when you walk around the city looking for dinner, you will not only see American beer in hand, but also people sipping wine glasses. Wine events are often held in the city, so there are probably many wine lovers in Sasebo.

To find out the truth, we headed to "Io Lo Maneggio," a shop beloved by wine lovers in Shimogyo-cho near the arcade.

The store name is Italian for "It'll work out somehow."

Just after crossing the crosswalk on Kyomachi Street, we found a building with a calming atmosphere. On the second floor, lit up with warm lights, was the wine restaurant "Io Lo Maneggio."

In base towns, solo travelers are the norm

When you open the door, you will be greeted by the owner, Kengo Aoi.
"Most people drink alone at the counter here. Sasebo has a lot of business trips and transfers, so there are quite a lot of people who come alone."When the lights inside the store start to shine out over the city, the bar bustles with customers looking for wine.

Not only do customers exchange friendly updates on their lives, but also customers ask about Sasebo over the counter and gather information...lively conversations take place over a wine glass in hand.

Although alcohol was always a part of Aoi's life, it was soccer that led him to Italian food. He also enjoys spending his days cycling up Mt. Eboshi and going to music events and concerts.

As we chat with Aoi, who has his ears turned to a wide variety of fields, the sounds of wine being opened seem to echo through the store at a faster-than-usual pace.

Why is it loved by wine lovers?

"In our wine industry, word of mouth is king. But recently, social media has become more common. I wonder if this place (Io Lo Maneggio) has a lot of repeat customers."

The restaurant industry has been involved with alcohol for many years, and no matter how much experience you gain, it's said that there is always conflict and worry.

"Every week, there's a wave of information in the liquor store about a new place opening here, a place closing there. It's hard to succeed in the food and beverage industry."

Aoi has continued to work with the same passion for wanting wine lovers to enjoy their wine.
However, he also believes it is important to balance the ever-changing trends and needs of the world. When he faces a problem, he tries to deny his current self for a moment.

"The people who run these stores have something special about them, and I hope I can make that my own. Even when I don't agree with the people I work with, there are times when I realize that they weren't wrong."

He says that by broadening his perspective, he was able to see the answer. This guidance may be one of the reasons why wine lovers flock to Aoi.

Taste natural wine and Nagasaki

He even travels all the way to Hirado to personally source the ingredients he uses.

Many of the main ingredients are from Nagasaki prefecture, such as Sasebo and Omura. All the wines sold in the store are natural wines, which are made from grapes grown organically and without pesticides, and where possible, with minimal use of antioxidants.

"In the world of wine, there is a universal standard, an absolute evaluation. Famous wines are the products of past pioneers. So I always think that it would be more interesting to search for new wines."

Aoi-san originally gained experience working in a liquor store, and his passion for wine is apparent from behind the counter.

Does wine go well with Sasebo's climate?

Sasebo is a city that has developed through the intermingling of diverse cultures, with many people transferring or visiting on business trips due to the large proportion of people working at military bases and shipyards. Perhaps it is fitting that people in Sasebo are so close to the culture that they can be found enjoying lively conversations in social situations with a glass of wine in hand.

Tonight, as every day, people gather under the warm lights of Io Lo Maneggio for carefully selected wines and conversation.

Io Lo Maneggio

電話：0956-22-3415

Address: 2F Cinema Taiyo Building 7, 10-7 Shimogyo-cho, Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture

Access: 4 minutes walk from Nakasasebo Station on the Matsuura Railway / 9 minutes walk from JR Sasebo Station

SNS: https://www.instagram.com/iolomaneggio/

*For details on opening hours and holidays, please check the link above.