Copenhagen Suma hot dog stand in Kobe and the B’z connection

The following was originally featured on dennisamith.com:

Near the Port of Kobe is a very popular hot dog stand known as Copenhagen, which serves the Hansen original hot dog!

It’s also quite popular among fans of the mega popular Japanese rock duo, B’z (which features lyricist/vocalist Inaba Koshi and legendary guitarist Matsumoto “Tak” Takahiro).

While you will see the Denmark flag (the white cross with a red background) and the location has the feel of Northern Europe, inside, one can hear the music of B’z playing in the background, as well as an autograph and letter by Inaba Koshi.

The owner Bjorne Linboe Hansen came to Japan in 1981, married a Japanese woman and opened a Danish restaurant in 1984 in Tsuyama city, the city where Inaba is from, in Okayama.

Inaba’s mother Kuniko, who ran a cosmetic store often visited the location and Inaba would visit the location and eat at Hansen. As well, as Matsumoto.

Inaba is a big fan of the burgers and beef stroganoff, while Matsumoto loves the curry cabbage. A recommendation by a friend, he renovated a room to become the Inaba room.

But with the recession, the restaurant closed in 2004. But in 2008, he would open a new restaurant Copenhagen Suma in Takasago City in Hyogo Prefecture.

And the new restaurant would feature B’z scenes on the walls, on the monitor and even a photo of Inaba holding a baby, which is Hansen’s son 20-years ago.

Also featured is a notebook from fans all over Japan. The shop specializes in hot dogs (click here for the English menu or the Japanese menu) made with Danish sausages and features the Inaba-dog and Matsu-chan dog which are very popular.

And B’z fans from all over the world continue to visit Copenhagen hot dog stand in Kobe:

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