Chicken Shack

The Chicken Shack is a restaurant complex about 30 minutes by car outside Iwakuni.  The correct name of this complex is Irori Sanzoku, however I've only ever heard Americans refer to it by the nick-name "Chicken Shack".  This nickname is so persuasive that it even pulls up on google maps!  I struggle to properly describe the spectacle that is Chicken Shack.  Imagine you are curving around a two lane road coast to the Japanese coast outside of town.  There aren't really any street lights or traffic, and you are enjoying your drive through the country side.  Then, all of a sudden, you turn a corner and see the following:

There are lights and music and activity everywhere.  On the side of the small country road in the middle of nowhere.  The first time Hubby and I saw the Chicken-shack, we were attempting to drive from Iwakuni to Hiroshima .... jokes on us, its in the opposite direction and were blown away by the surprise of it all.  It was several days later before we went back and ate here for the first time, but enjoyed doing so greatly.

This year several friends joined us for dinner at the Chicken Shack.  We ate at the restaurant to the left of the main entrance and enjoyed sitting around a log bar on bar-stools.  (i.e. not-Japanese style sitting on the floor).  The most famous dish served here is a teriyaki chicken.  Honestly, I think it is over hyped.  We are big fans of the beef dish that you cook at your own table.  See video of the deliciousness below:

The chicken from which Chicken Shack is named: 

Gyoza:

Beef awaiting cooking:

Rice ball filled with rice, seaweed, salted plums, and tuna.  

Everyone were great sports in smiling for the camera!  

After finishing our dinner, we walked around the complex while some of our friends shopped in the nearby shops.  Here's our video tour: 

On our way to the car, we started noticing a particular Christmas tree which was filled with small paper ornaments.  Of course, we add to add our own to the tree.  We're pretty sure based on google translate, context, and the one English item on the tree you're supposed to put your Christmas Wish on the tree.  We copied a Spanish language ornament with our family "we were here".  

Merry Christmas!