In the fall of 1988, a young international student from Japan, Yoshitoshi “Yoshi” Momoki, came to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and for the first time in his life, he felt confident in himself and accepted. Momoki graduated in 1993 with a degree in broadcasting and now serves as UT’s unofficial ambassador to Japan and past president of UT’s Tokyo Alumni Chapter.
After a successful career as a marketer for home appliance companies in Japan, Momoki spent five years developing the concept for his dream and opened his Good Ole Tennessee Bar in Tokyo in Feb. 2024. He calls his bar his dream, inspired by his time at UT, which he calls “the golden age” of his life. Momoki was inspired to open his bar to show his appreciation for the state of Tennessee, the people of Knoxville and to honor his parents and grandparents who sent him to UT. Momoki commented that life is short, and he wanted to fulfill his dream of opening his bar. His bar is decorated with Vol memorabilia, serves moonshine, Tennessee whiskeys and Momoki’s welcoming hospitality.
In March 2026, Momoki received a letter from his self-described longtime best friend at the University of Tennessee Advancement, expressing that Momoki’s alma mater would like to invite him back to Rocky Top in early September. The UT team that worked to bring Momoki back to Knoxville for a week-long visit includes Brian Hardy, Angie Wilson, Kaeden Kelso, Steve Catlett and others.
Knoxville City Lifestyle was honored to be invited to two special events at The Tennessean Hotel Sept. 2 and 3. The hotel partnered with UT to welcome Momoki for a “Kanpai” on Rocky Top pop-up happy hour celebrating the start of the UT football season.
Before the public event, The Tennessean hosted a private reception for Momoki in the hotel’s Governor’s Suite, where he was presented with a certificate from Gov. Bill Lee appointing and commissioning him as an honorary Tennessean. During his remarks, Momoki expressed his sincere gratitude for UT and the people of Knoxville for making him feel accepted for the first time in his life in 1988. Momoki also treated attendees to a musical performance of “Rocky Top” that he performed on piano, accompanied by UT Assistant Professor of Jazz guitar Denin Slage-Koch.
Through his genuine kindness, welcoming hospitality at his Good Ole Tennessee Bar and social media, Momoki helps strengthen relationships between Tennessee and Japan, and brings joy to everyone lucky enough to meet him.