Hidden gem bar in Kawaramachi. They have a great selection of sake and wine, but it can be a bit pricey. The atmosphere is really nice with a view of the cherry blossoms along the Takase River from inside the bar. It seems like you can enjoy drinking while cherry blossom viewing by reserving a window seat during sakura season.

At the entrance, vibrant art is painted, and it's exciting to climb to the second floor. The wooden handrails are cool. Inside, there is a warm feeling with a welcoming counter and spacious sofa seats in the back, offering a quiet and adult atmosphere where you can enjoy the view of Takase River and cherry blossoms. The cocktails seemed limited, but it was a place to enjoy a wide variety of wines and sake. We each had a sake, and the total was 3800 yen. They are open until 1 am, allowing us to have a calm and quiet moment. Thank you very much.

In Kyoto, there are many areas with a nostalgic atmosphere, but when night falls, it's all about Takase River, also known as Kiyamachi. Unlike Gion, here you can feel the nuances of sake and the essence of life. The elegance and allure drift on the river surface. Throughout the four seasons, Takase River embodies the emotions and scenes of adults. Mysterious and somewhat melancholic. Enjoy the perfect timing for drinking sake along with the seasons of Takase River. This is a rare brewery sake bar, so most of the menu consists of fermented drinks like sake and wine. The owner's dedication is evident with a cellar for proper temperature control. Sake and wine are living beings, as they are fermented drinks. They have a perfect timing for drinking and their taste changes over time, which is their charm. They value the perfect timing for drinking. There are always over 30 types of sake available, mainly focusing on local sake from Fushimi and Shiga, as well as famous sake from all over Japan. Italian wine is also available. They also offer beer, soft alcohol, and more. Food is sourced from various restaurants. The bar has 7 counter seats and 8 sofa seats. During cherry blossom season, the window seats are recommended, as you can enjoy sake while gazing at the cherry blossoms along Takase River. The lush greenery and autumn leaves are also charming in different seasons. Enjoy a luxurious evening with pleasant service. Truly a bar for adults. Here, even melancholic memories are healed. I would love to revisit during cherry blossom season! ○Kozaburo Bizen Kinnojo Harusato Sake with a spring-like feel. The area around this brewery, Toki River, is famous for cherry blossoms. A refined ginjo aroma with a gentle sweetness of koji. The soft, rounded umami of Kinnojo rice spreads in your mouth. ○Shikisai Kijoshu Monsoon Monsoon, beloved worldwide. A vivid aroma and sweetness with transparency. The label by Mika Nitta adds a touch of elegance.

On the way home after drinking quite a bit, I stumbled upon a suspicious sign for a place called "Brewing Garden." It was located on the second floor up a narrow staircase, which I know the old man would love. As I hurried up the stairs, I found a door against an avant-garde wall. Opening the door revealed a dimly lit adult space. I took a seat at the counter. "Brewing Garden" is a place where you can enjoy brewed alcohol in a garden-like setting... I think. Or maybe it's just where alcohol is fermented to become booze? The slender and beautiful waitress recommended a red wine for me - Nebbiolo Festival from Italy. It was fantastic! The first glass was a BARBARESCO GAIA PRINCIPE ROBERTO SAROTTO with 16% alcohol content, slightly smoky and delightful. I enjoyed it with some nuts and breadsticks. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was cozy, with big sofas and a view of the Takase River and cherry blossoms through large windows. It must be a prime spot in spring! For the second glass, I tried LANGHE NEBBOLO trediberri, which had a more Nebbiolo-like taste with a smoothness from barrel aging. They also offer Japanese sake and shochu, as they take pride in their selection. It was a delightful experience!

The sake selection is great and the atmosphere is nice.

After dining at a nearby traditional Japanese restaurant, we decided to stop by a second place for some sake. This establishment used to be part of the "Mastermind" group, known for their restaurants in Kyoto, but they became independent in February 2017. Located along the street in Nishikiyamachi, the entrance is up a staircase to the second floor. Upon opening the door, we were greeted by a dimly lit, sophisticated bar atmosphere. The sake menu had around 20 varieties, with many options sold out that day, so we chose a brand we hadn't tried before. The sake was served in wine glasses and came with a small snack. The Ikegumo sake we tried was new to us, with a subtle ginjo aroma and a clean taste. The selection is constantly changing, so you may encounter different brands depending on the season. It seems that the wine selection is limited to wines from Northern Italy. This place is great for quietly enjoying a drink after visiting a few places. Sake we tried (for 2 people): Aozora Junmai Sake Miyama Nishiki (Kyoto) and Ikegumo Junmai Ginjo Shukumai (Kyoto).

【Revisit】 About 10 months after April 29, 2016, I enjoyed a course meal at "The Kitchen Salvatore Cuomo Kyoto" and then headed to a second party! (laughs) We caught a taxi at Kyoto Station and headed to "BAR Jozonotei," which celebrated its 11th anniversary on April 1! The master of the famous Maebashi restaurant "Hinagi" is also known here. The atmosphere is as charming as ever. First, we climbed the "stairs to adulthood" and at 8:23 p.m., we opened the "door to adulthood"! There were no other customers. We sat at the counter with just the two of us! Later, a couple sat at a table. Tonight's master is not President Kanai but a young man from Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture in North Kanto. As my body started to feel a bit chilly, I started with hot sake. I had "Raifuku" (Gohyakumangoku, Sakura yeast, Junmai nama genshu) as hot sake. I turned the Junmai sake into hot sake! (laughs) As Horiemon says, "Delicious sake is delicious no matter how you drink it!" (bitter smile) Cheers! (smiles) After warming up with hot sake, I moved on to cold sake. I had "Toyo Bijin" (Jiho Akane, Yamada Nishiki, limited Daiginjo). My wife had "Tenmei" (Omachi, Nakadori 4th grade, Junmai Daiginjo nama genshu). This is a "brewery sake bar," so they also have a wide selection of wines in addition to sake. I decided to try a recommended red wine for study purposes! It seems better than the cheap wine I usually drink, but I'm not sure. (bitter smile) I had "Mansaku no Hana" (MK-X 2016, Yamada Nishiki/Akita Sake Komachi). It's a limited edition, so it tastes even better! (laughs) Well, it's time to leave! Thank you for the meal. m(_ _)m --- [Revisit] About 10 months later on April 29, 2016, I enjoyed a course meal at "The Kitchen Salvatore Cuomo Kyoto" and then headed out for a second party! (laughs) We caught a taxi at Kyoto Station and headed to "BAR Jozonotei," which celebrated its 11th anniversary on April 1! The master of the famous Maebashi restaurant "Hinagi" is also known here. The atmosphere is as charming as ever. First, we climbed the "stairs to adulthood" and at 8:23 p.m., we opened the "door to adulthood"! There were no other customers. We sat at the counter with just the two of us! Later, a couple sat at a table. Tonight's master is not President Kanai but a young man from Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture in North Kanto. As my body started to feel a bit chilly, I started with hot sake. I had "Raifuku" (Gohyakumangoku, Sakura yeast, Junmai nama genshu) as hot sake. I turned the Junmai sake into hot sake! (laughs) As Horiemon says, "Delicious sake is delicious no matter how you drink it!" (bitter smile) Cheers! (smiles) After warming up with hot sake, I moved on to cold sake. I had "Toyo Bijin" (Jiho Akane, Yamada Nishiki, limited Daiginjo). My wife had "Tenmei" (Omachi, Nakadori 4th grade, Junmai Daiginjo nama genshu). This is a "brewery sake bar," so they also have a wide selection of wines in addition to sake. I decided to try a recommended red wine for study purposes! It seems better than the cheap wine I usually drink, but I'm not sure. (bitter smile) I had "Mansaku no Hana" (MK-X 2016, Yamada Nishiki/Akita Sake Komachi). It's a limited edition, so it tastes even better! (laughs) Well, it's time to leave! Thank you for the meal. m(_ _)m

Located along the Takase River, south of Kawaramachi, this bar offers a variety of food and drinks. I found this place on Tabelog while looking for a spot to visit during my business trip. As a fan of brewed alcohol, I was excited to find a bar that serves both Japanese sake and wine. The atmosphere inside was cozy, with dim lighting and relaxing music playing in the background. The bartender recommended unique and special sake from all over Japan, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The wine selection leaned towards Italian, recommended by the friendly female staff. I found both the white and red wines to be delicious and easy to drink. The prices are reasonable, averaging around 1,000 yen per glass. During early April, the cherry blossoms along the Takase River outside were beautifully lit up, adding to the already wonderful ambiance. Although I had a great time, I left early as I was tired from cherry blossom viewing and indulging in Italian food at another restaurant. Overall, it's a great spot to relax and enjoy a drink or two.

After having a meal at Kamogawa-san, we were recommended "BAR Jyozou Niwa" for a place to drink sake. The bar was a hidden gem, just as its concept suggests. The ambiance, music, lighting, seating, and service were all very sophisticated. The sake we had, which was the main purpose of our visit, was carefully selected and enjoyable. Next time, I would like to try their Italian wines. It was crowded with couples on the weekend, but we were able to relax and enjoy our drinks in this adult-oriented space. While the counter seats were nice, I highly recommend the sofa seats where you can enjoy the view of Takase River.

When it comes to shops that offer both wine and sake, there are quite a few. However, when it comes to shops that offer specialty brands of both wine and sake, there are not many. With high expectations for such dedication, I visited Jyukouen. The staff consisted of a lady in charge of wine and a gentleman in charge of sake, each specializing in their own field. They seemed to be in their early thirties. Even though they were younger than me, they were able to keep up with the geeky topics and I had a great time (^_^) They were also helpful in recommending the best pairings for the drinks. We started with a bottle of white wine, followed by cold sake in a glass, then sparkling wine, and finally grappa. The good drinks and appetizers made time fly by. Of course, we ended up having a second round. It was just perfect ☆

I heard that you can enjoy the sake "Aosora" at the brewing garden, so I decided to visit. The manager selects the sake, while the owner selects wines from Italy, making it a unique bar. It may come as a surprise to those who are new that sake is served in wine glasses. The atmosphere and food at the restaurant are great, and the manager is quite interesting. He enjoys talking to customers about alcohol in a fun way and even introduces sake that he personally selected from a brewery.

Near Gion Shijo, along the Kamogawa River, there is a shop. The entrance is a bit hard to find at night. As you climb up the narrow stairs, you will find a bar with a charming atmosphere. I really like the lighting. Just being in the atmosphere of this place makes you feel relaxed. Despite saying that, I ended up having a drink. Even though I don't know much about sake, they kindly teach me and help me choose something that matches my image. After enjoying the first drink, I discovered KAWAII, a white lychee and white Japanese pear, so I ended up making a biased choice of only drinking white alcohol. It was hard to find a place that had them, so I was happy. The staff at the shop are attentive and provide a refreshing (and when needed, polite) service, showing that they value the atmosphere. This time, I enjoyed sitting at the counter, so next time I would like to try the sofa seats.

Located on the 2nd floor of a building in Shimokuraya-cho, just up from Bukko-ji Temple, this bar offers a variety of seating options, from the counter to sofa seats, making it suitable for individuals or groups. As the name suggests, they specialize in brewed alcohol, offering beer, Italian wine, and Japanese sake. The beer selection includes Braumeister and Heartland Lager, poured in two stages to create a beautiful foam on top. The wine lineup ranges from casual Italian options to special occasion choices, including sparkling wine. The real highlight, however, is the Japanese sake carefully selected by the manager from breweries across Japan. One standout is the "Kari Kishi" sparkling sake, which is light and refreshing, perfect for summer. Whether enjoying a bottle solo or sharing with a friend, this place is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience quality drinks in a cozy setting. Don't miss the opportunity to relax on the sofa by the window for a private atmosphere or engage with the bartenders at the counter while savoring your drink. Stop by and check it out!

I went on a solo trip to Kyoto. I was unsure about what to do at night, but I really wanted to drink, so I decided to stop by this bar I found in the guidebook along Kiyamachi Street. When I arrived around 8 pm, I was the first customer. The interior was dimly lit and had an adult atmosphere, which made me a little nervous, but I decided to be brave and sit at the counter to have a drink. Both sommeliers were very friendly, and even though I was alone, I had a great time drinking. I tried about 4 glasses of red and white wine, as well as compared a Junmai sake and Daiginjo sake. The appetizers were boiled duck liver and tomato wrapped in prosciutto. They recommended me some really delicious drinks, and explained them to me without being pushy, even though I am a beginner in wine. The atmosphere was comfortable even for a solo guest, and I wish there was a similar place near my home. It seems that there aren't many solo female guests, but personally, I would recommend this place for solo female drinkers.

A group of 9 friends, including one who came from Tokyo, visited this restaurant without prior research, just stumbling upon it while looking for a second place to go. Located on the 2nd floor of a building along the Takase River, the restaurant had a calm and sophisticated atmosphere. With a counter, two box seats, and a seat by the window overlooking the river, it had a romantic ambiance. Even though we only had wine and snacks as we had eaten beforehand, the staff provided attentive service to our large group, explaining the wines clearly and helping us choose based on our preferences. The staff even escorted us to the exit on the 1st floor when we left. This level of hospitality is apparently common in Kyoto's competitive dining scene. The staff member who saw us off was an attractive guy, but I couldn't post his photo without permission. Overall, the excellent service made our experience satisfying. Thank you for the meal.

I have been to this restaurant several times, and there are always many female customers. This makes it a place where women can feel safe and comfortable. It may be a bit intimidating for rough men to enter. There are counter seats as well as spacious table seats where you can relax. During cherry blossom season, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the cherry blossoms along the Takase River from the window, so I highly recommend it. The wine selection is carefully chosen, and the staff can provide appropriate guidance. However, the staff are all young men, which I personally find a bit off-putting... I would consider going back if I were with a female companion.

Spring is dangerous for couples sitting by the window overlooking the cherry blossoms. The dried fruits here are delicious. The cheese platter is on par with other bars of this kind. The selection of Japanese sake is amazing. I was surprised by the strong aroma of Kuro Ryu 14th generation Grappa. The aroma lingers in the mouth for a long time. The first of the three recommended red wines was really delicious, but I forgot the name as I got drunk. There is a very beautiful female staff member who seems to be purely Japanese. Among the male staff, there was someone who seemed a bit inexperienced, but they provided attentive service.

I asked the master at the first place I visited if there was a nice bar around Kiyamachi, and he recommended Brewery Garden to me. I was excited because I had been curious about this place for a while. I had already had a bottle of red wine and two glasses at the first place, so I was a bit tipsy when I arrived at Brewery Garden (laughs). I climbed the stairs and when I opened the door, it had a great vibe, just like a bar! I love this kind of atmosphere. Everyone was sitting at the counter, so we chose the sofa seat at the back. It was very comfortable. In front of us was Takase River and cherry blossom trees. I was saying that it would be really beautiful when it gets a little warmer. I would love to come back during cherry blossom season. Here, I also had red wine. I was already full, so I had some dried fruits. There were apples, figs, and I forgot what the third one was. They were all very delicious and went well with the wine! The staff was friendly, the wine was delicious, and the view was beautiful. It was a good time. Next time, I would like to enjoy more of their food as well.

I was walking in Kiyamachi and almost missed this place because the sign and entrance are not very noticeable. I had come here on purpose, so I managed to find it, but if I had been distracted, I might have missed it. The shop has a counter with about 6-7 seats and two sofa seats. Luckily, a sofa seat overlooking the Takase River was available, so I was seated there. The night cherry blossoms and the Takase River in front of me added to the quiet and elegant atmosphere inside the shop. It's a place for Japanese sake, Italian wine, and beer. I thought it was a wine bar when I visited, but I was surprised to find a great selection of Japanese sake and Belgian beer! I only had wine, but enjoying sake in this atmosphere would be nice too. I ordered the recommended glass of wine. The server was elegant and friendly, and her wine explanation was easy to understand. The service is not too formal for the calm atmosphere, which is pleasant. And the Italian wine was so delicious! I was surprised by how amazing the wine was.

It's a bar that only serves brewed alcohol. The seating is divided into a counter and seats overlooking the Takase River. It faces Kiyamachi Street but being on the second floor, it's a bit hard to find. It seems crowded with regular customers at first glance, but it's a friendly place. They seem to have a passion for alcohol, and there is no Niigata sake available. They say there are no tasty drinks to go with meals. There were many unfamiliar drinks. It's a good place to learn.