Around 4:00 PM, I visited THE HOUSE OF KINOBI, a brand house for premium craft gin "Kino no Bi," with one other person. This is my second post about the visit. I will introduce the location again. It is located on the west side of the intersection of Kawaramachi and Oike. The building has a dignified Japanese style, so you can easily recognize it when passing by. For the history of the building and facility introduction, please refer to my first post. This time, we used the members-only lounge space called "Gin Palace." Gin Palace refers to a bar that sells gin in a luxurious interior with a Victorian era style. The atmosphere is fantastic with furniture, decorations, and antique glass imported from England. There is a charge of 1,500 yen to use Gin Palace, but a welcome cocktail is included. Below is the menu introduction. There are also exclusive drinks available at Gin Palace that are not listed on the menu. (Kino no Bi Menu) - Kino no Bi 30ml/800 yen 45% ABV: A premium craft gin made with rice spirits and botanicals such as gyokuro, sansho pepper, hinoki, and yuzu, finished with Fushimi's underground water. - Kino no TEA 30ml/900 yen 45% ABV: A craft gin born from a collaboration with Horii Shichimeien, a long-established tea shop founded in 1879 in Uji, Kyoto. - Kino no Bi SEI 30ml/900 yen 54% ABV: A high-proof version of Kino no Bi, adjusted to bring out the characteristics of the botanicals to the maximum by changing the blend ratio. - Kino no Bi House Gin 30ml/900 yen 43% ABV: A gin finished with the well water of Kino no Bi House. It has a slightly softer taste than Kino no Bi. - Kino no Toshima 30ml/900 yen 47% ABV: A gin finished with black sugar from Yonaguni Island, Okinawa, which is rich in minerals, offering a complex flavor. - Kino no Ume 30ml/900 yen 29% ABV: A gin inspired by the fusion of British sloe gin and Japanese plum wine, made by soaking Hokkaido haskap berries and a rare variety of plum called "Jo...

I love Kino-bi (seasonal beauty), so I'm planning a trip to Kyoto. They offer a tasting of 3 out of 8 varieties, as well as limited edition items that will surely make you love Kino-bi even more. There is an exhibition space on the second floor, and the first floor has a woody atmosphere where you can enjoy the view of the garden. Even if you're not a Kino-bi fan, you can still have a great time here.

There were also local people, but about half of the people in Kyoto at once during the cherry blossom season were foreigners. It's surprising that they are all researching Japanese craft gin. The second floor is a seminar base where you can study gin. I recommend it. The craft gin made using the famous water of Fushimi in Kyoto, with a soft water base infused with yuzu, sansho pepper, and Uji tea leaves. Since the main botanicals are domestically sourced, you can truly experience the depth of Kyoto gin here. The essence of Japanese seasons is evident, and the store has a Kyoto-like atmosphere. The Juniper Berry, a craft gin antenna shop, is quite impressive to foreign visitors. I ordered two sets of three different flavors out of the eight available, and among them, the Brain no Kisetsu no Bi and Kisetsu no Bi TEA were tasted. I tried eleven botanicals in total, and the Smoky Edition K left an impression on me. The plum flavor was distinctive, and the black sugar was a bit hard to discern. I was able to truly savor the gin. The service at the counter was disappointing. The glass with a lid of 30mL allows the aroma to last longer even if you take your time. They also sell the gin. The matcha gin, priced over ¥55,000, is a premium gin with uncertain availability. With the increasing number of inbound tourists in Kyoto, it seems that Kisetsu no Bi will gradually become fully booked and difficult to visit.

A tasting set of 3 carefully crafted GINs that highlight the seasonal flavors, priced at 1,500 yen, is a delightful experience. The GINs, made with a focus on Kyoto's unique beauty, are sweet and delicious, perfect for enjoying straight, on the rocks, or with soda. The House of Kinobi, with its charming Kyoto-style atmosphere, attracts many foreign visitors. Thank you for the wonderful treat! #bar #thehouseofkinobi #kyotodrygin #tastingset #seasonalflavors #Kyotobar #KawaramachiBar #Kawaramachi

Introduced to House of Ki by a friend for the first time. Ordered a set of three different dishes, which I thought was quite a good deal for 1500 yen. Even if I ordered it twice, it would only be 3000 yen, which makes going to a bar in Tokyo seem foolish. It would be nice if it were a little more centrally located. Also, it would be even better if they stayed open a bit later. The food was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

On the second day of my trip to Kyoto, I visited an antenna shop of "Toki no Mi," a distillery in Kyoto that played a pioneering role in Japan's craft gin boom. The shop is located conveniently near Kyoto City Hall, accessible by subway or bus. The shop, housed in a renovated traditional Kyoto townhouse, features a display of a distiller on the left side upon entering. The first floor offers novelty goods, various types of "Toki no Mi" for sale, and a bar for tasting. The second floor has a space for learning about gin and its history. After receiving an explanation, it was finally time to enjoy a tasting at the bar. Various gins can be tasted for a fee, including straight, cocktails, and gin and tonics. I chose to try the "Toki no Mi Sei" brand for the first time and requested a gin and tonic made with it. The gin and tonic, served in a balloon glass, had a strong alcohol kick, making it a delightful aperitif. Although I wanted to try more brands, it was time for my next reservation. I left the shop with a lingering desire to come back and leisurely enjoy more varieties of gin next time.

Kino-bi is now a leading craft gin brand representing Kyoto. This brand house, which is like a showroom, is located in a renovated traditional Kyoto townhouse. It features a shop and a bar where you can enjoy a variety of Kino-bi gins. They offer tasting sets that allow you to compare different gins, which is great.

Nagoya girls love Kyoto. Every time I go there, I discover something new. This place is located very close to the Ritz-Carlton. It is the first brand house by the Kyoto Distillery, specializing in gin, located in Fushimi, Kyoto. They renovated a townhouse that is over 100 years old to create an experience of "Kino Bi" and its world. The building is just gorgeous. The first floor is like a regular bar with a shop. You can enjoy a quiet gin in the ultimate comfort of a beautiful light and a modern Japanese atmosphere. We ordered a tasting of 3 different gins for 1,500 yen. It comes in a lovely vessel. The staff explains the facility and the gin very politely, which is very pleasant. On the second floor, you can take a VR tour of the distillery, and they plan to offer seminars on how "Kino Bi" is made after the pandemic. You can also leisurely tour while enjoying gin on the second floor. Definitely worth a visit! You can feel the staff's love for gin. We visited after lunch, and since we were the only ones there at first, we could fully enjoy the gin and the atmosphere. I am not someone who has had gin properly before, but even beginners like me can definitely enjoy this wonderful facility. My friend highly praised the hot gin cocktail available for a limited time during this season. The House of KI NO BI (Seasonal Beauty House) Address: 358 Kiyomizu-cho, Kawaramachi-dori, Nijo-agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto 075-223-0457 Access: 5 minutes walk from Exit 16 of the Tozai Line subway, 4 minutes walk from Kyoto City Hall bus stop Hours: [Tue-Sun] 12:00-21:00 (L.O. 20:30) Closed on Mondays

A little north of Kyoto City Hall. While walking, I saw the name "Sakino Mi" and decided to go in, thinking it might be that Sakino Mi. It was indeed Sakino Mi. A stylish Japanese house with a Kyoto Gin vibe. When you enter, there are products displayed, and at the back is the bar. The second floor is an explanation area with videos playing, but it was hard to read the subtitles due to poor eyesight. They had pamphlets introducing Sakino Mi. It seems they are celebrating their 5th anniversary, so it's still relatively new. I was surprised that they decide on the blends together rather than by one person. The bar had a hotel bar vibe, brightly lit with warm-colored uplights. They offered a tasting of 3 types for 1500 yen, where you can choose from 8 basic options. I chose the regular one, the house gin, and Edition K. You can also choose how you want to drink it, such as on the rocks, straight, with water, or with soda for an additional fee. I chose to drink it straight. The regular one was the best, as expected since it is made specifically for that purpose. It had a nice aroma from the start, and when you drink it, it has a sweetness that is pleasant. It has the taste of juniper berries typical of gin, but without any harshness or strong taste, making it easy to drink. The house gin is blended with well water from Sakino Mi's house, and it has a slightly lower alcohol content than the regular one. It left a somewhat blurry impression, and while it was described as soft in the explanation, it felt like it was missing the goodness of Sakino Mi. It tasted slightly better with added water. The well water from the Fushimi water of Sakino Mi is hard water, while the house well water is soft water. The well water served with ice was delicious. Edition K was interesting. It is aged in barrels from the Islay distillery Kilchoman. While you often hear about sherry casks or bourbon casks, using an Islay cask is unique. It has a strong peat aroma, which is impressive. It's not the typical gin to drink, but it's an interesting option. Adding water brings out more of the gin-like qualities. I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't see if it had color due to the stylish tasting platform being hard to see through, but they mentioned that they only pour clear gin for tasting purposes. I enjoyed hearing about gin and Sakino Mi. They also said that hot water mixed with gin is delicious. Thanks to Suntory, soda mixed with gin is becoming more popular, and apparently, gin has become a popular choice for home drinking during the pandemic. I read in a sake book that sake can be enjoyed at various temperatures, and they suggested trying Sakino Mi at different temperatures as well. If I see it at a store, I might buy it and try it at home. It was a fun experience, and it made me want to visit a whisky distillery as well.

After dinner, I headed to "The House of KI NO BI" located north on Kawaramachi Nijo. This is the first brand house of the craft gin distillery "Kyoto Distillery". The space, renovated from a building that is over 100 years old, immediately captivates you. Since I arrived after 7 pm, I had the place to myself to start. I ordered the "Seasonal Beauty Tasting Set 'Kikinoshi'" (¥1,500) where you can select from 3 types of gin. - Seasonal Beauty: Starting with the plain version. - Seasonal Beauty House Gin: Surprisingly different in taste just by using different water than the "Seasonal Beauty". - Seasonal Beauty Edition K: Aged in bourbon barrels used for whiskey. You can also enjoy its unique aroma. I thoroughly enjoyed the differences in aroma and taste for each. The well water served as a chaser is also very smooth and delicious. If you have time, I recommend immersing yourself in the world of "Seasonal Beauty" through the carefully selected interior and exhibits on the second floor. Delicious gin and delicious water, thank you for the meal.

A shop where you can enjoy domestically produced premium gin, Kino Bi. They offer a tasting set where you can choose 3 out of 9 types, which is great (*^▽^*). However, all of them were too strong to drink straight, so mixing them with something is necessary haha. The atmosphere is also nice, making it a perfect stop during sightseeing in Kyoto!

Perfect for strolling in Kyoto♪ An elegant bar with a taste of Kyoto, serving delicious gin! "The House of KINOBI (The House of KINOBI - Seasonal Beauty House)" opened in June 2020 in front of Kyoto City Hall. I visited with friends after exploring Kyoto! The bar is about a 5-minute walk from Kyoto City Hall Station. It is also within walking distance from Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, so you can visit even while exploring Kyoto. The exterior has a charming Kyoto atmosphere. This building is a historic structure that used to be a timber merchant. Even after over 100 years, it still feels solid and has a sense of weightiness. The interior is surprisingly stylish and chic, unlike the exterior! It's amazing to find such a wonderful bar in a Kyoto-style townhouse. There are stand-up bar counters and over 20 table seats. With a large number of seats, even if it's full, you can get in quickly. The high ceiling creates an open and relaxing atmosphere. The warm Japanese-style lighting adds a calming touch. It would be perfect for a date♪ The bar offers the premium Japanese gin "Seasonal Beauty," which is also the name of the bar. "Seasonal Beauty" is an original gin that combines British and Kyoto traditions. It's a unique Kyoto drink, perfect for Kyoto sightseeing (*´∀`*) There are 9 types of Seasonal Beauty to choose from. Regardless of the choice, it's only 500 yen, which is a great deal. You can choose one from the 9 types, then select a mixer such as tonic water or soda water, and finally choose a garnish to create your own original gin♪ The garnish varies depending on the day, and on my visit, there was a refreshing scent of yuzu. Other options include perilla, sansho pepper, and ginger. I chose "Edition K" from Seasonal Beauty and paired it with Elderflower Tonic Water and yuzu garnish. - Seasonal Beauty Edition K (500 yen) You pour the mixer yourself. After adding the mixer, it's ready! Edition K has a slightly smoky taste, which I like. The subtle yuzu aroma from the garnish adds a nice touch, making it easy to drink! It's nice to take a break and have a light drink like this during a stroll in Kyoto (*・ω・)ノ Besides the drinks, they also offer a few side dishes to pair with the gin. I ordered the "Kyoto Side Dish Assortment" to go with the gin. - Kyoto Side Dish Assortment (800 yen) It includes bamboo shoots, imitation goose, taro, and 5 other items. Each one is carefully seasoned and delicious♪ It pairs perfectly with the gin! I was surprised to find such delicious gin in Kyoto. The ability to customize it to your liking is great♪ The atmosphere is also nice, so I will definitely visit again when I return to Kyoto!

I found out about Kino no Mi craft gin from a magazine and had been wanting to try it ever since. I happened to see it at a nearby bar and ordered it on the rocks. I don't usually drink gin, so it was a new experience for me, but it turned out to be even more delicious than I had imagined. I was looking forward to trying it for a long time. Since the bar closes early, I went straight there after work without eating. I ordered a tasting flight (1300 yen) and a mixed olive plate (500 yen). I tried Kino no Mi Sugar (blended with black sugar from Yonaguni Island), Kino no Mi Tea (blended with Kyoto's famous tea), and Edition? (aged in barrels from the Champagne region with a fruity flavor). They were all really delicious. The smooth texture and the way it went down my throat felt exquisite, making me feel really happy. It was a bit strong, so I added ice to dilute it a bit. The olives were also incredibly tasty! They were by far the best olives I've ever had. The plate looked high-end and just looking at it made me happy. The atmosphere of the bar was very stylish, and the staff were very knowledgeable and passionate about gin, teaching me a lot about it. The place quickly filled up, especially with women around my age. I highly recommend it!

Do you know about "Ki no Bi," a craft gin that was released in 2016? It is made by a distillery called Kyoto Distillery, which specializes in gin, and uses 11 botanicals of Japanese ingredients centered around Kyoto, created using their unique method. The flagship store for this gin is "The House of KI NO BI." The store is located in a renovated traditional Kyoto townhouse, maintaining a Japanese atmosphere while having a stylish and clean interior with a focus on wood. The first floor has a "Shop Area" where you can purchase original merchandise and unique gins derived from Ki no Bi. Further inside is the "Ki no Bi Room," which serves as a bar with a counter and table seating. Moving on to the second floor, there is the "Blending Room" and explanations of the distillation process, providing a deeper understanding of Ki no Bi and gin. After the tour, you can try different varieties of Ki no Bi at the "Ki no Bi Room." I tried a tasting set of three out of nine options, each with subtle differences in taste due to varying proportions of ingredients and water. All were easy to drink and delicious. Even those who are not used to alcohol or have not tried gin before can enjoy various cocktails and receive explanations to find their preferences. Classic gin and tonics are also available, along with a selection of appetizers. I tried the Kyoto-style appetizer set, which included simmered bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, and simmered ganko (a type of root vegetable), all of which were flavorful and paired well with the drinks. It was a delightful experience enjoying delicious food and drinks in a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. This is a place I would like to visit again in the future.

At Ms. Kisaki's house (lol), there were rare spirits and unique gins that you don't normally find. There was a wide range of options, from limited production to unconventional gins. Even if you don't usually drink gin, or if you're not a fan, you might find something you can enjoy here! Day drinking at its best! The restaurant also has a nice atmosphere with a traditional Japanese townhouse feel.

It was a really wonderful restaurant. The stylish interior matched perfectly with the refreshing taste of the dishes. It was the first time I could enjoy gin so thoroughly. It was truly a comfortable space.

I was able to fully enjoy the beauty of the season at The House of Kinobi in Kyoto, located at Kawaramachi Nijo. #thehouseofkinobi #seasonalbeauty #Kyoto #KawaramachiNijo #foodgram