The restaurant had a classic interior with stylish cocktails made using herbal and botanical non-alcoholic liqueurs. The lavender cocktail made with homemade non-alcoholic liqueur was delicious. The customers were mostly foreigners, and the owner was fluent in English, making it a truly authentic bar experience.

A popular bar in Gion Shimbashi, Kyoto, specializing in herbal liqueurs. The master, Mr. Oda, is fluent in English and knowledgeable. You can see many foreign tourists enjoying their time here. We started with Chartreuse, a famous French liqueur known for its sweetness from added sugar, which enhances the flavor of the infused herbs. The bar offers over 400 types of herbal liqueurs. Mr. Oda recommended some excellent choices, such as the Walnut Liqueur from Distillerie Denoix, made with green walnuts harvested in late June and aged for 5 years in oak barrels with Armagnac and sugar. It had a rich aroma and a perfect balance of sweetness and umami. We also tried an Italian Amaro made with violet flowers, known for its floral fragrance. Mr. Oda shared interesting stories about the resurgence of Amaro in the industry and its use in cocktails worldwide. If you're not a fan of straight herbal liqueurs, he recommends trying their signature cocktail, "La Resistance."

Today's walking destination was Kyoto. I visited my favorite city to explore bars. I was recommended to visit "Kisshu Ikusei" and sat at the counter. They specialize in herbal alcohol. The back bar was lined with a variety of my favorite drinks. The master from "El Tesoro" made the perfect recommendation even though I had never been there before! Let's start with a recommended cocktail. The base is absinthe, and I love strong cocktails. Absinthe, a drink loved by artists. As a Shoutemae of the lost generation who couldn't achieve "normal" happiness, I feel like I understand the meaning of loving something. It's incredibly delicious. For the second drink, let's request a cocktail with a bitter liqueur called Fernet Blanca as the base. I love the medicinal taste. This fully bitter cocktail is exactly what I wanted. The bartender is like a magician who makes delicious drinks even more delicious. Let's end with a pure absinthe. I was served a rare absinthe. Enjoying the absinthe slowly. The solo customer at the counter was joined by two more customers. They quietly enjoyed their drinks. Good bars attract good people. Grateful for the encounters, let's visit a few more bars in Kyoto. I want to come to this bar earlier next time. Thank you for the wonderful experience. "Kisshu Ikusei" Address: Space Shinbashi 3F, 15 Benzaiten-cho, Nawahigashi-dori Shinbashi Nishi-iru, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture [Mon-Sat] 16:00-1:00, Closed on Sundays.

I visited this place recommended by a friend, without a reservation, and there was no wait. There were two of us and we stayed for 2 hours. The price was 4000 yen per person. The hazelnut-scented spirits here were really nice, perfect for nut lovers. They had hazelnuts from Piedmont and regular hazelnuts, and we tried both. The scents were surprisingly different. There was also a pomelo on the counter, so we had a cocktail made with that as well.

In the back private room, it was cozy and when I left, the place was packed and lively. It's a stylish place that makes you want to drop by spontaneously. There are so many bars in Kyoto that are fun like this. This place is just too diverse in its selection that you'll have a hard time deciding what to order or drink. I enjoyed some strong-smelling alcohol.

I revisited this place after 5 years and it was just as amazing as I remembered. I first visited after seeing it in the magazine "BRUTUS 2017 September 15th issue - A bar you can visit for 20 years." It has gained popularity through word of mouth, even among foreign visitors, and only one group is allowed per day. I sat at the counter and tried two cocktails: 1) a Mezcal Sour with Kabuchi, a native type of tangerine from Okinawa, and Mezcal from Mexico. It had a strong punch with a pleasant acidity. 2) A frozen cocktail with Shine Muscat, chamomile, and anise liqueur made using liquid nitrogen. It was impressive and delicious. The bill came to 4,300 yen. It's a wonderful bar that I would love to visit for another 15 years.

The bartender and customers were all wonderful, making it a very enjoyable night. I learned different ways to enjoy the bar. There were many unique herbal drinks in the bar that smelled great and tasted delicious. I want to keep going back to find my favorite type of alcohol.

Hidden gem bar on the 3rd floor of Space Shinbashi Building in Gion. Among the many bars in the area, this one specializes in unique flavored cocktails. They offer a variety of flavored liquors, including homemade ones made on-site with a distiller. The staff is friendly and the atmosphere is cozy. I highly recommend this bar!

On the third day of my trip to Kyoto, I visited this bar after dinner to have a few drinks. It's located on the third floor of a building and a bit hard to find, but I managed to locate it with the help of the sign. I visited around 10 pm on a weekday and the place was about 70% full. - Fuki-no-tou Gin and Tonic: This cocktail had a fuki-no-tou (butterbur sprout) flavor, which was slightly bitter and enjoyable for those who like fuki-no-tou. - Dekopon Amaretto: This cocktail had a hint of amaretto and a slightly sweet taste. - Resistance?: This was a recommended signature cocktail, made with gin, lime juice, absinthe, and more. It had a nice balance of bitterness and was very tasty. Since the bar specializes in herbal liqueurs, it's a great spot for those who enjoy such flavors.

I asked the bartender at Miyagawa-cho Mizuren's Ita-san for a recommendation for a bar, and I went to a bar after a long time. I heard that they have a wide variety of herbal liqueurs and herb-infused drinks. The bar had a counter and a private room space at the back. They seated me at the farthest seat at the counter. The bartender was friendly and attentive, with one male and one female bartender working. There wasn't a specific menu, but when I mentioned my preferences, they recommended drinks for me. The bar was brewing herbs, and the smell of Chinese medicine filled the air, giving it an authentic feel. I started with a 1970s Campari mixed with soda. The Campari, almost as old as me, had the unique aroma but a smooth taste. I enjoyed the aged liquor. Next was a cocktail called Yamato Tachibana, made with a rare citrus fruit called Tachibana. The cocktail had a slice of Tachibana fruit on top, and biting into it released a sharp citrusy taste with a hint of bitterness. It was not too sweet and had an elegant and delicious taste. The atmosphere in the bar was relaxed, and it seemed like there were many regular customers. You can enjoy your drinks slowly and leisurely there. For the last drink, I asked for the bartender's recommendation. After having Japanese sake with Japanese food, this was my third drink, and I was feeling a bit tipsy. The final cocktail was a short cocktail made with herbal liqueur in a shaker. When it was very cold, the herbal aroma and bitterness stood out, giving it a slightly medicinal taste. But as it warmed up a bit, it became mellow and addictive. I enjoyed the unique flavor. Despite drinking quite a bit, I felt refreshed both that night and the next morning. It was a great and relaxing time at the bar after a long time.

After enjoying some sushi, we moved to this place. The sushi tonight was delicious, but unfortunately I can't post a review. The location is on the 3rd floor of a mixed-use building in Nawa-dori Shimbashi. There's a small sticker with the name of the restaurant on the door with stained glass. When you open the door, the lighting is just right with antique lamps placed here and there, creating a cozy atmosphere like a hidden gem. I sat at the counter. What I had: Daiquiri Gin & Tonic Watermelon cocktail Cherry cocktail Frozen watermelon cocktail. All the fruit cocktails were made with liquid nitrogen, so they had a refreshing taste. The process of making them was like a magic show (laughs). There was a lot of smoke when the liquid nitrogen was added in the middle. The frozen watermelon was delicious. It was my first time here, and the master provided just the right amount of service with a comfortable atmosphere at the bar.

The bar I most wanted to visit on this trip was Ikusei in Gion. Their specialty is a wide variety of herbal liqueurs and cocktails. They use high-quality fresh herbs sourced from producers in Hiroshima and distill their own herbal water to remove any impurities. They offer original cocktails using this herbal water, as well as a selection of coveted old liqueurs. What's impressive is their strong communication with customers. They listen carefully to both the general direction and subtle nuances, ensuring that they bring the customer closer to what they are seeking. Even with unique flavors not found in classic cocktails, they manage to strike a perfect balance that tastes delicious. I wanted to visit this place two days in a row, but due to time constraints, I could only go once. When you visit Kyoto, be sure to stop by this place.

I visited Gion and had dinner at Genboli-san to relax a bit. The restaurant is located on the 3rd floor of a building near Gion Yamato Oji Shimbashi. I sat at the counter near the entrance and greeted the master. Here are my orders: - Cocktail made with fruits (using Zubrowka) prepared with liquid nitrogen. I think it was peach... - Gin and tonic made with the popular domestic gin. This cocktail is always delicious whenever I visit, and this time was no exception. Thank you as always for the wonderful meal.

A hidden gem bar near Shirakawa. The regular menu is delicious, but the highlight is the Sichuan pepper gin and tonic which brings out the flavor of the pepper. The bartender's service is great and it's a place where you can enjoy yourself even if you go alone. A wonderful bar where you can relax and unwind.

Deliciously enjoyed at Moriaki in Gion...wanted to have a final drink. Just the right place, Ikusei! When I called, they said they could accommodate us. I visited the restaurant. It's located on the west side of Yamato Oji Street, up on the 3rd floor of Space Shinbashi. You can spot the cute sign outside. It's still a popular spot, as it was almost full. I was glad I called ahead (laughs). I sat at the counter in the back and placed my order. I asked for a fruity mojito. They made a cocktail using liquid nitrogen, which has been popular lately. It was a fun magic show with the smoke from dry ice! I had a delicious drink that was just right to end the night. Thank you for the meal.

It was Saturday night, so of course we called ahead and visited. The counter was almost full. As usual, the explanation was given in a cool voice. K and R ordered Frozen Mojitos and Watermelon Juice, while I had a Gin with a fragrant aroma. Since moving here, they have been using liquid nitrogen a lot. They explained that they don't add water from ice to chill the watermelon juice. We had a great time. It cost 2000 yen per person.

My rating for this place is 4.2 for food and taste, 4.3 for service, 4.2 for atmosphere, 4.0 for value for money, and 4.4 for drinks. This bar, which has been featured in various media, is becoming a representative eccentric bar in Gion, no, in Kyoto. This was my first visit this year, and I greeted Oda with a wry smile for the new year. I need to visit more often. First, I ordered a citrusy gin and tonic to refresh my tired body after returning from a business trip to Tokyo. The addition of pomelo peel was perfect. I then noticed the beautiful regular customer S-chan sitting at the counter and greeted her. She seemed well, which was good to see. I also noticed a couple visiting for the first time from Tokyo, who were customers of MAEKAWA in the same building. Oda's customer service in this situation was truly impressive and a learning experience. For my second drink, I opted for absinthe, specifically one made by a Japanese person from Kobe who moved to France. I tried two types, the original and one with added wormwood. I found the original to be more delicious. This business trip had its ups and downs, but it's finally over. Time to go home and get some rest.

My rating is 4.2 for food and taste, 4.3 for service, 4.2 for atmosphere, 4.0 for value for money, and 4.4 for drinks. After having a late dinner at Otowa, we headed up to Ikusei as my companion had never been there since they moved. We entered the restaurant and found that there were no other customers, so we were able to chat leisurely. My companion started with Marc De Champagne Joseph Perrier, a crisp champagne from a prestigious brand. I opted for a gin and tonic to quench my thirst. Next, I tried the Stronachie 18 Year Old - Small Batch Release (A. D. Rattray), a scotch with a subtle sweetness and a strong flavor that is easy to drink. We naturally moved on to talking about Portugal, leading us to try the Port 2009 Late Bottled Quinta do Noval from Berry Bros & Rudd, a charming port wine with flavors of almond, blackcurrant, cherry, and a hint of spiciness. Each recommendation from the staff was spot on. Thank you for taking care of us.

The shop has a herb garden on the Daimoji mountain and the herbs are collected once a week, so the stock varies depending on the time. Out of 650 bottles, 320 are herb-based. When asked what herb can be added to the first drink, the options were sudachi and sansho. I chose sudachi since it seemed fitting for the season. The gin used was Tanqueray. The drink arrived with plenty of sliced sudachi, adding a rustic acidity that was perfect for the season. After the first drink, a chaser was served. The shop also offers a variety of absinthe, including ones not available domestically. I asked for a recommendation within my budget and was presented with a absinthe fountain with the label of the brand I ordered. The shop's style is not to dissolve sugar with an absinthe spoon when adding water (though they will do so if requested). The absinthe I received felt a bit diluted. Perhaps adding sugar would have been better. Overall, I found this bar to be quite interesting. The total bill was 3200 yen.

During a business trip in January 2023, I went to a second bar with a client around 10 p.m. It was quite crowded even on a weekday. Since there were three of us, we sat at a table in the back instead of the counter. We stayed for about an hour and a half, enjoying the dimly lit and somewhat stylish atmosphere, especially because we were in Kyoto. The staff were friendly and explained things nicely without any pretentiousness. The drinks were more interesting than delicious, and I can't remember the first one, but the second one was an Absinthe-based drink, both of which were tasty. I thought it was nice to drink in a place with a great atmosphere, especially in Kyoto. I would definitely go back if I have the chance.