Knoxville, Tenn. — University of Tennessee, Knoxville, alumni Yoshitoshi “Yoshi” Momoki (’93) returned to his alma mater last week, connecting with students, faculty, staff, and UT and community leaders across a busy schedule that included stops at the Knoxville Asian Festival, the UT Japan Center opening, the College of Communication and Information, Haslam College of Business, International House, and many more campus and community events.
Momoki’s popularity on campus and in the city of Knoxville has grown since opening the Good Ole Tennessee Bar — at UT-themed bar celebrating the university and state — in Tokyo, Japan in 2024.
“It makes me so happy that so many people recognize my hard work,” Momoki said. “It seems like my bar became the pilgrimage, that they cannot go back to Tennessee without visiting my bar.”
Momoki is especially glad to see current students and alumni stop in for a visit when traveling in Japan.
But to understand the passionate support that led to the opening of the bar, it’s important to look back on his time as a student at the university. It was at UT that Momoki found a sense of belonging.
“I didn’t fit into the Japanese reserved culture,” he said. “Here in Knoxville, everybody appreciated my personality as it is. I felt so good. I like to sing and dance and joke and stuff. People love it and that makes me feel comfortable. It was the first time in my life I felt confident in myself.”
Momoki reflected on his time living in Melrose Hall and working at the International House where he got to be a part of welcoming other international students to campus.
“It was good to be at the university because the University of Tennessee appreciates cultural diversity,” he said. “And then so many students want to learn different values, cultural values. It was great.”
During a visit to the International House, Momoki was able to show newspaper clippings, ticket stubs, and photos he has kept since his time at UT. Among those memories were drawings from a group of local kindergarten students.
“From time-to-time I had a chance to talk about Japan at so many places — The Rotary Club and other community centers,” he said. “One opportunity was talking about Japan at a Kindergarten near here. … I still keep the thank you cards. All of them.”
At a reception September 2 at the Tennessean Hotel, Momoki was surprised with recognition of his enthusiastic support of all things Tennessee with a certificate from Governor Bill Lee recognizing him as an honorary Tennessean. The certificate was presented by James Wallace, Executive Director and President of the Anderson County Economic Development Association. Wallace had met Momoki during a visit to Japan and discussed the kindness and generosity he showed.
“It’s great. So great to be back,” Momoki said.
For today’s international students, Momoki offers a piece of advice to make the experience at UT the best it can be.
“Go outside and do not stick to the students from the same country,” he said. “Go outside and talk to American students and different countries’ students. Because that’s a once in a lifetime experience.”
Follow Momoki on Instagram at @gotb1796 to learn more about his bar and his time in Knoxville.
