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Hardly any of the year left…
Time flies! I haven’t done a thing, but will I make it safely into the new year…
Every so often, out of nowhere, I worry about that…
Delicate side and all, worries brushed aside, December has arrived, year-end party season is here, and I am drinking, and drinking, and drinking: yours truly, the person behind the scenes at the Organizing Committee.
Hello!
I love the slightly grayish scenery of the year’s end, the feel of the air, that kind of thing.
Like a scene from a film.
When I say this to people, though, the air turns into “what is this person on about…”, and instead of gray it just gets weird…
Taking in that December scenery, I walk Isezaki Mall with my coat collar turned up.
In my head, Bill Evans’s “You Must Believe in Spring” is playing!
Spirits rising, I paid a visit to POOL LABO, the finals venue for Yokohama Open 2026!
POOL LABO
It is, of course, the hall of Lo Li-wen!
Four minutes’ walk from Kannai Station on the Blue Line, six minutes from JR Kannai Station on the Negishi Line.
Walk along Isezaki Mall to the building with KALDI COFFEE FARM Isezakicho on the ground floor; it’s on the 4th floor.
The moment the elevator opens, a spacious single floor spreads out before you.
Eight pool tables in all: six by Wiraka and two by Brunswick.
Every table has Billizone installed, so you can record video!
You can review your own play objectively afterward, or have stronger players look it over, and yours truly finds it incredibly useful!!!
Opening an account is free, so when you visit a hall with Billizone, I strongly recommend signing up!
Besides pool, there are three dart machines and two poker tables.
The darts side gets lively, too!
From the hardcore crowd to people dropping in on the way home from a wedding, just there to have fun.
All sorts of people, having a great time!
For yours truly, whose blood alcohol level runs permanently on the high side, the bar counter is a joy!
Grumbling over a drink while watching pool and darts matches on the big screen.
For anyone who loves pool or darts, it is a happy time!
POOL LABO is also a physical store of Cue Shop Japan, stocked with cues, cue cases, tips and more.
On top of that, POOL LABO is the exclusive Japan distributor of Zen Custom Cue, so it carries Zen Custom Cues too.
For pool, it has hosted the finals of JPBA Grand Prix East Leg 2, and serves as a qualifying venue for other events as well.
Both the pool and darts sides are often used for events, too.
When the hall is reserved for one and opening hours change, it is announced on its X account and Instagram account, so please follow and check!
And so, hitting balls at POOL LABO, I let my thoughts drift to Yokohama Open on February 23, 2026.
Excited all the way home, I gave in to temptation at a yakitori place and had a Hoppy…
Yours truly, blood alcohol on the high side again yesterday, is off to another year-end party today!
I’m hardly the one to say it, but… December is a busy month, so go easy on the drinks and enjoy your pool life!
Entries for Yokohama Open 2026 open on January 5 next year!
We look forward with all our hearts to your participation!!!
👉 Billiards resources from Japan and around the world, organized by purpose: Billiards in Depth (latest updated hourly)
