Not honky tonk, but when I discovered the collection of Japanese tributes to (once great) The Muffs [1]. That punk vibe: getting together to play raunchy music is something I sorely miss from my college-days. And the two tributes, while celebrating the music of a very American band, feel like the most Japanese thing ever.

[1] https://youtu.be/5GiL7FJIHRQ?si=9Sm32c-TRrtLuil1&t=1139

I used to see the Rockabilly dancers all around Yayogi Park in Shibuya (1). These guys would hang out in the park on the weekend with pompadours and jean/leather jackets and do goofy dances. It was sick. Something about Japanese culture encourages dedication to your hobbies, and people get super involved in them.

1) https://www.tokyoweekender.com/art_and_culture/tokyo-rockabi...

I’m a bluegrass fan, and can confirm that there are some awesome pickers in Japan.

my gf in Tokyo years ago was a country folk singer. played slide on a metal resonator guitar. for much of my time there my evenings were spent at folks and roots music bars, listening to talented live musicians. in States we live in abject poverty, culturally.