I enjoyed the shime saba (marinated mackerel) and grilled eggplant soba noodles with a selection of Japanese sake at Takahashi-san's restaurant. One evening, I stopped by Ogata-san's place nearby for a drink before dinner, feeling like I was at a bar. They had a great variety of sake to choose from, with no soft drinks available, so it's a place for those who enjoy alcohol. I had the Hayaseura freshly squeezed new sake and Tohoku Izumi special junmai Miyama Nishiki with the shime saba in ginger soy sauce. The balance of flavors was just right, and the ingredients were enjoyable. The hand-made soba noodles by the owner had a nice texture and were refreshing. The grilled eggplant tickled my taste buds, and the okra salad was a perfect match, making it easy to eat. The thin soba noodles had a wonderful fragrance and tasted delicious, and I was surprised to learn that the soba noodles at Ogata-san's place were also made here. This amazing restaurant has depth, and I look forward to returning to try different dishes.

After finishing work in Kyoto, I went to Takahashi-san's place. I left home at 12 o'clock that day and have to be back by midnight, so I don't have much time. I arrived at 7:20 PM and want to leave the restaurant by 8 PM, so I need to eat quickly. I ordered the following items: - Squid legs - Bittern mackerel - Daigo's drops Bodaijun brewed sake - Koikuma Namazake Junmai Muroka Nama Genshu R1BY 5th bear - Five million stones edition - - Kumesakura Namazake R4BY This time, because it was hot, I started with Daigo's drops, which is a sour cold sake. Then I moved on to Koikuma, a sour sake at room temperature. Finally, I enjoyed Kumesakura, which not only has sourness but also astringency and bitterness. Takahashi-san's cold sake is always delicious, with flavors unfolding without end. It's amazing. Thank you for the delicious meal.

At Takahashi-san in Kyoto at night, I arrived around 8:20 pm and found the place busy with 4 customers already there and 4 more arriving later. Since this was my second stop of the night, my main focus was on drinking. The drinks I had were as follows: - Ozasaya Takezuru Nama Ippon Bangaihen Junmai Genshu Nakaseishin Senbon - Takezuru Goke Nouhou Mai Junmai Genshu 2005BY - Kumesakura Washi R2BY - Kumesakura KUMOLI R4BY I only had marinated sardines to eat. While listening to the conversation between the regular customer next to me and the master, I realized they were talking about some really niche topics. Understanding the taste differences in the same sake made by the same brewery but in different brewing years is not something many people can do. It's important to keep comparing and storing the taste memories so that they can be easily recalled at any time. It's not an easy task due to storage methods and personal health conditions. While I won't say it's impossible, when doing a blind tasting, the answers I come up with about the taste differences may differ from my initial perception of the brewery. I may not be able to provide comments at that level, but listening to the conversation about taste differences is quite interesting. It's always a pleasure to visit Takahashi-san, a place where sake lovers gather. It's nice to be recognized after a year of visiting. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

After having a meal at Urisan, I visited here for the first time. Luckily, there were seats available at the counter! As I sat down, I noticed that the two people who were sitting next to me at Urisan's counter were also here. We exchanged smiles. On the other side, there was a group of four people from Korea. Sake is popular worldwide, it seems. The drinks I had were Mienyakume Sakura (I forgot the name), Gakki Masamune Tsukiyama, Yokowa Soba, and Potato Salad with dried baby sardines and chili peppers. This place offers unique Japanese sake and carefully selected dishes. They have a variety of sake with interesting labels. They only serve alcoholic drinks, and it's one drink per person. The dishes were excellent, especially the Yokowa Soba which was fresh and had a great texture. The Potato Salad was light and paired well with the sake. The highlight was definitely the soba. The owner hand-makes the soba with 100% buckwheat flour, but they have limited quantities so make sure to order early. I was lucky to get the last plate that day. It's a cozy and relaxing adult bar where you can enjoy your drinks at your own pace.

If you come to Kyoto, you definitely have to go to Takahashi-san. I think it is one of the top sake bars in Japan. The focus is on serving chilled or room temperature sake, and they rarely serve warm sake unless requested. While you can prepare the same sake at home, the atmosphere and pairing of dishes here really enhance the taste of the sake. This time, I ended up drinking too much while chatting with the master and regular customers. The sake I drank included: - Narumi Special Junmai Directly Filled Fresh - Katsukoma - Katori Natural Sake Junmai 80 - Mukyu Tenon Izumo - Kumesakura Nama Moto Wild Thoughts - Koikuma Namazake Junmai Unfiltered Raw Sake R4BY 19th Bear - Kosasaya Taketsuru Shinne Yumachi Unfiltered Junmai Raw Sake - Tenon Namazake Junmai Raw Sake Unfiltered Improved Yumachi 70 The food I ate included: - Kaki Taitan - Shrimp Beans - Sayori Sashimi - Chives The restaurant opens at 6:30 PM, so I was the first to arrive. I started with the Narumi sake, which I had previously discussed with the master. It has become a bit more acidic and less sweet since the brewer changed three years ago. The Katsukoma was a well-balanced sake with acidity and umami. I then tried the Katori Natural Sake, a local sake from Chiba, which had a fragrant umami flavor. The Mukyu Tenon Izumo was a blend of Junmai sake with a prominent umami flavor and a gentle alcohol content. The Kumesakura had a sour taste, which I have come to appreciate more since visiting the brewery in February. The Koikuma had a fancy label with a surprising balance of umami, acidity, and spiciness. It is a rare sake brewed by Ariga Brewery in Fukushima. The Kosasaya Taketsuru had been aged for just four years, turning a beautiful barley tea color and exhibiting a powerful flavor. Finally, the Tenon Namazake was my last drink of the night, and I ended up drinking too much. I had a total of 8 cups, probably around 4-5 servings. After a 2-hour stay, I was completely intoxicated. I can't believe I made it home. Great places like this always make me drink too much. Even though I usually eat a lot, I was able to drink with just 4 dishes. The sake here is so delicious! Thank you for the feast.

Visited the second place on the second day. I got hooked on a sake called "Nopa" in Niigata, which is like vinegar, so I ordered a sake with strong acidity and a strong flavor, and left the rest to the recommendations. I strongly felt the owner's commitment when he said, "We don't have dry sake here." By the time we left, the place was full. I was impressed by the taste of the people in Kyoto.

I wanted to go to another place, so I found this Japanese sake bar and decided to go. It's located on the second floor of a building, and you might miss it if you're not paying attention. Behind the counter, there is a row of room temperature Japanese sake bottles lined up. I tried a few different ones that were recommended to me. It seems like the norm here is to serve sake at room temperature. However, I didn't really enjoy the two types I tried as they had a strong fermentation taste. I didn't go early in the evening, so most of the food options were sold out, and they didn't have soba noodles, so I ended up having boiled komatsuna greens as my final dish before leaving.

This article is a repost from a blog. Sake Log: https://sushi-blog.com/sakelog/kyoto-takahashi/ This place is truly amazing. Especially if you prefer room temperature sake, you will hit it off with a 95% chance! "Takahashi" opened on April 20, 2001, so it is actually a bar with a history of over 20 years. There is little information on social media, but it seems to be a well-known place among sake enthusiasts. The charm of the place is undoubtedly the selection of sake by the owner and his overflowing love for sake. The food menu is small but well thought out. It's a minimalist bar that gives off a certain vibe. If you are a sake drinker, you will be drawn to the menu and the sake bottles. Even if you have some knowledge about sake, it's better to receive recommendations and suggestions. Knowledge is not necessary at this place. By enjoying the recommended sake while conversing with the owner, you will expand the taste of sake and get to know the charm of the place. Here are the dishes and sake I had this time: Morokyu (cucumber with miso) Man-ganji togarashi (Japanese pepper) Sake: Umagami Sake Brewery Sosakuri Seishu Daigorei Autumn Sake (Yamadanishiki, 60%) Kumezakura Kimoto Junmai Daiginjo Washi Label (Gohyakumangoku, 45%) RieStyle Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai (Ise Nishiki, 60%) Kumezakura Nama Moto Wild Thoughts (Yamadanishiki x Gohyakumangoku, 90%) First, let me introduce the sake: Umagami Sake Brewery Sosakuri Seishu Daigorei Autumn Sake Kumezakura Kimoto Junmai Daiginjo Washi Label RieStyle Yamahai Tokubetsu Junmai Kumezakura Nama Moto Wild Thoughts These are the sake I had this time.

On this day, I took the Thunderbird limited express train from Fukui to Osaka via Kyoto. Before that, I wanted to visit Takahashi-san. It was a homework shop that I had been wanting to visit for a while. In Kyoto, it was a place that caught my interest. I arrived around 8:30 PM. Just as the previous customer finished paying, the empty restaurant had a quiet atmosphere with only background music playing. I had many questions I wanted to ask, but in the end, I ordered Tenon and some snacks from the master, and as I was about to finish my first drink, my eyes were drawn to a bottle at the left end of the counter. "Narumi!" A sake from Katsuura City, Chiba Prefecture was on the counter. And it was labeled as traditional single-stage brewing. I didn't know they made this kind of sake! Although Narumi is known for its slightly acidic sparkling fresh sake, this one was made using traditional methods and single-stage brewing. I inquired about it, and it seemed to have been produced in June 2022. When I tasted it, the acidity of Narumi's sake remained, but the aftertaste smoothly disappeared along with the umami of the fresh sake. This was delicious! The taste of the sake has changed with the change of the toji (master brewer), and the previous favorite taste has also changed, but a different good expression has emerged. This sake is worth buying and drinking. After that, I ate and drank. Gradually, more customers, mainly regulars, started to arrive, and the atmosphere became lively and enjoyable. Both regulars and new customers were able to enjoy drinking in a fun atmosphere, which was the best part! I think the master really loves brewed alcohol. The main topic of conversation was about alcohol, including sake, natural wine, beer... and sake was mainly served chilled or on the rocks. While they would serve it warm if requested, the variety of sake available for warm sake was limited. Despite seeing harsh reviews on Google and Tabelog, if the conversation flows well, it's enjoyable. Otherwise, you might feel like you have to drink quietly, but people also have a side that wants attention, so "quiet = lonely" might be the case. But I think it's good to talk about sake, whether you know a lot about it or not. Asking about things you don't know and listening to the conversation can double the enjoyment of knowledge. Talking makes it more exciting, and if not, it's a place to drink quietly. I think it's nice to have a fun sake. Today was a good day like that. Thank you for the meal.

Located a short distance from Karasuma Station, in a corner of a building in the bustling dining district of Takazaikecho, this restaurant is on the second floor. It was my second stop after visiting Gion Yamaguchi. Upon entering the restaurant, you will find a stylish, dimly lit Japanese space. It was a Friday night, but there was only one other customer. There are about 6 seats at the counter and one table. In front of the counter, there is a wide selection of room temperature sake lined up. Looking at the menu, I was amazed by the variety of sake available, from room temperature to hot. This is fantastic! You can also enjoy small dishes for less than 500 yen each. The soba noodles also seem to have a lot of attention to detail, so I must visit again soon!

It's nighttime, but I'm not particularly hungry, so I decided to go to Takahashi for some drinks. It was a bit difficult to find the place, but I eventually spotted a small sign with the name "Takahashi" on it. The menu consisted of snacks to go with drinks and soba noodles for the end. They only served sake for drinks. I ordered edamame tofu and matsumoto. The sake menu had both room temperature and chilled options, with some unfamiliar brands on the list. The owner kindly shared some information about sake with me. I tried the recommended Tenon as a warm sake. It had a taste I had never experienced before, like enjoying a high-quality dessert. It was gentle and smooth, making me forget I was drinking alcohol. I also tried the Tenon one-year aged sake and Yarukiko's sake RIESTYLE. It was a delightful time fully immersed in the world of sake. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

On this day, I experienced disappointment at a certain high-end restaurant. It's tough to be unsatisfied with super premium wine. I wanted to reset my mood, so I visited my favorite place in Kyoto, or rather, in Japan. I switched my mood at a Japanese sake bar that I love. Just like the calm atmosphere of Yushima no Tsubo, I can casually enjoy sake here. It makes me happy. I had hesitated many times in the past about this place. It has no sign and avoids attracting attention. If you don't know it, you would just pass by. Going up the stairs, there is a charming door. It feels like entering a members-only club. But once you cross this boundary, you encounter a wonderful world of Japanese sake. Knowing this bar and Carvadore made my visits to Kyoto enjoyable. Recently, getting a reservation at Carvadore has become extremely difficult, which is very disappointing. Even long-time regulars are lamenting. Has it already become a tourist spot? Sake bars are popping up one after another in Fushimi. But this bar is in a league of its own. It will never become a tourist destination. ●Katsuo sake thief ●Duck miso ○Shiraore ○Taketsuru Yamacho Sannoumachi Junmai genshu sake served warm.

About a 5-minute walk from Karasuma Station, up a flight of stairs, is a hidden gem of a bar. When I arrived around 9:30 p.m., it was just the right amount of full and had a calm atmosphere that I love. The master of the Japanese sake bar was running the place alone, chatting happily with what seemed to be regular customers. He recommended various types of sake in response to my request. I ordered "Shime saba" for 850 yen and "Myoga" for 350 yen, along with three servings each of cold sake and hot sake. The sake was all delicious as recommended, and he even served some sake that wasn't on the menu. In total, it came to around 6,650 yen. I ended up staying for quite a while in the very pleasant atmosphere. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

There are countless sake bars all over Japan, but finding one that truly fits your taste is rare. It all comes down to the compatibility with the owner, the sake lineup, the food pairings, and the overall atmosphere of the place. When you factor in the cost-performance ratio, it's hard to find a place in Kyoto that surpasses this one. Whenever you visit Kyoto, it's a must-stop. Sake goes through periods of reevaluation, with new trends constantly emerging. While some premium sakes get highlighted in magazines, there are many other great sakes out there. We are fortunate to live in a time where sake is evolving, with innovations like unfiltered raw sake and sakes made by foreigners. It's a time when we can truly enjoy sake. The restaurant described seems to have a special focus on sake, providing a space where adults can genuinely appreciate it. The review also mentions a dish of Tsubasu (young yellowtail) and simmered oysters paired with a specific sake from Shimane prefecture.

Today, I visited "Takahashi" in Karasuma, just a 5-minute walk from Shijo Station. It's a hidden Japanese sake bar where adults gather at night. Tonight's drinks were "Shinsei Lapis 2018" (¥900), "Benten Musume Junmai Gyokuei Namazake" (¥650), and "Suiryu Namazake Junmai Sake" (¥700). For snacks, we had "Iwashi Sumeshi" (¥700) and "Turumurasaki" (¥450). First, I tried the "Shinsei Lapis 2018", a clear and elegant flavor. Next, I enjoyed the "Benten Musume Junmai Gyokuei Namazake" with a slightly warmer temperature, offering a gentle and rounded taste. Lastly, the "Suiryu Namazake Junmai Sake" had a pleasant acidity and lingering finish. The "Iwashi Sumeshi" had a subtle vinegar flavor that complemented the softness of the sardines, while the "Turumurasaki" enhanced the sake with its crispy texture and mild green flavor. It's a cozy hideaway where you can leisurely enjoy your drinks.

If you don't know about it, you might pass by this hidden bar. I went with a friend. The place seemed a bit intimidating to enter, but once inside, it had just the right amount of liveliness. Not too loud, not too quiet. They had a variety of Japanese sake on the menu, and even if you don't know the brands, you can just describe what you like and they will recommend something for you! The food to go with the drinks was plentiful. We ordered a few items, and they were all delicious! They might taste a bit strong when eaten alone, but when paired with the sake, they were irresistible. The food made me want to keep drinking! The drinks were flowing, and it was a wonderful time. What a great place. The bartender seemed to have a unique personality, so some people might not like it. I didn't notice any quirks, or maybe I just didn't pay attention to them. Thanks for the meal!

Takahashi-san is a sake bar located in Karasuma. The sake and snacks are delicious. Highly recommended. The menu has warm sake on the top row and chilled sake on the bottom row. There are some aged sake options in the warm sake menu. It's a good idea to ask the master for recommendations. There is a counter and four table seats.

Hidden in a back alley in Kyoto's Shijo-Karasuma area, it's hard to find the Japanese sake bar Takahashi. Located on the second floor of a building about a 5-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line. There are hardly any signs or markers, just a small nameplate attached to the stairs of the building, almost as if trying to avoid attention, that expression might be appropriate. As you climb the stairs to the second floor and open the lattice sliding door to enter the store, you'll find a slightly dim but cozy adult hideaway space with gentle lighting. The simple counter and two small tables, the interior is quiet to the point where it's hard to believe it's almost full, and it exudes a wonderful Kyoto-like atmosphere where sake lovers can comfortably enjoy themselves. On the other side of the counter, there is a lineup of carefully selected Japanese sake by the owner. Sakes from the Chugoku region such as Hiroshima and Shimane are all junmai-shu, made as naturally as possible without adding unnecessary ingredients. The owner is a kind and relaxed person, so even if you're not familiar with sake, they will recommend delicious sake for you. The dishes are just the right amount and assortment for sake pairing, tickling the hearts of sake drinkers. Although I didn't try it this time, they seem to have a specialty of hand-made soba noodles, which I look forward to trying next time. The prices are wallet-friendly, and I had a happy time enjoying delicious sake and elegant appetizers! They don't take reservations for seats, so I recommend calling ahead to check for availability before visiting. Thank you for the meal (^人^)

Takahashi in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City (Hankyu Karasuma). A calm Japanese sake bar with specialties like duck miso, Tanaka 65 from Fukuoka, Tokiasahi from Shimane, and Egaijin from Kagawa. #Takahashi #Karasuma #JapaneseSake #SakeBar #Bar #JapaneseSakeBar #KyotoGourmet #KyotoFoodTour #LoveVegetables #LoveSun #AtoZ #Let'sEatInKyoto #LoveSun'sSoKyotoLet'sEat