There is a wonderful place where you can distill and drink on the spot in the street. I happened to come across it by chance and I am grateful for my luck! The kind Ebisu Gin's gin and tonic is so good, I could drink it all day. They mix it with Fever Tree, so even those who don't like gin and tonic should change their minds. I envy those in Kyoto. Having a distillery and a bar in the city like this is amazing. And the bartender is the maker as well, which is just perfect. I couldn't help but laugh at how great the environment was. Thank you for the wonderful experience!

On this day, I decided to have gin at this third place. From the counter seat, you can see the distillery. I ordered ○ Kinugasaba's seared mackerel and ○ potato fries as snacks. In the calm atmosphere with dim lighting, we chatted while drinking gin, and before we knew it, the day had changed. I would like to visit this place again to leisurely enjoy gin. Thank you for the meal.

I ordered the famous large Karaage set meal for 1100 yen at a craft gin specialty store for lunch. It comes with salad, side dishes, and miso soup. The Karaage is quite big, with two pieces. The Karaage is more like fried chicken and a bit bland in taste. I'm a little worried because the cooking seems a bit too sweet, but overall it's okay.

I stopped by a new shop on my way from Sanjusangendo to Kyoto Station. This place seems to have opened last year and they have a wide selection of craft gins, with about 80 varieties from both domestic and international brands. They also create their own original craft gin, with a distillery located next to the shop. Despite having a bar-like atmosphere, they also serve lunch. [Order] ★ Today's Fish Set Meal (with salmon roe) ★ Various drinks Although I didn't plan on drinking alcohol during the day, I couldn't resist with so many gin bottles on display (laughs). I'll have some drinks with my lunch (*´ω`*) Cheers! The fish set meal is very healthy and completely Japanese-style. The presentation is modern and matches the atmosphere of the shop. The main fish was silver salmon, and it also came with seared mackerel. Now, time for some gin. When it comes to craft gin, my hometown boasts the Echigo herb "YASO," and this shop had it too!! (*'▽') So, I tried YASO here as well. Apparently, this shop collaborated with the Tokyo flagship store of YASO to release a limited edition bottle in the past. The original gin currently in production here uses mugwort, and when I heard about the botanical ingredients, it reminded me somewhat of YASO. They aim to create a gin that not only tastes good but also promotes health, which led them to choose mugwort. The display shelf for the bottles is lit up and looks cool. It would look even better at night. Speaking of cool, the shop owner here is also cool. He looks like a handsome celebrity. If I had to describe how handsome he is, it's like combining Kenta Kiritani with Haruma Miura and Jin Akanishi. When he smiles, he slightly resembles Takashi Okamura (laughs). Thinking of Haruma Miura made me feel nostalgic, and I left the shop. The craft gin here will be ready soon. Thank you for the meal. [Rating as of June 7, Reiwa 5] Overall rating on Tabelog: ☆3.05

★Located along Shichijo Street, near Sanjusangendo. The nearest station is Keihan "Shichijo". ★Stylish atmosphere. ★Mapo tofu set meal for 1,000 yen (tax included). A fragrant spiciness using authentic Chinese spices. The flavors could still be more refined. The side dishes are incredibly delicious ♡

Tokyo's popular craft gin specialty store, SiCX Tokyo, has landed in Kansai for the first time! Located in front of Kyoto Shichijo Station, this bar with a distillery on site allows you to enjoy freshly made gin. With over 70 varieties of gin available, you can see the tanks through the glass at the bar. While grains like barley, rye, and corn are common ingredients for gin, they also offer unique options like a refreshing gin made with mugwort from Niigata. They have a wide range of dishes that pair well with craft gin, and they even serve set meals during lunch hours. The Vietnamese gin, SAIGON Vagor (1300 yen), had a spicy yet refreshing taste. The interior of the store is stylish, the owner is charming, and he speaks fluent English. Keep an eye on this craft gin distillery that is the first in Japan to strive for carbon negativity!

When heading to Yoshihisa, I was drawn into this shop in front of the bus stop because of its stylish appearance. It was a bit intimidating to enter, but there was a cozy counter where I could relax alone. The gin was delicious, and I ended up having two glasses and feeling a bit tipsy. I enjoyed the Paris P (crispy bell peppers with minced meat) and the fried chicken, which put me in a good mood. The main store is in Tokyo, and they also make craft gin here. It's great. I will definitely come back again.

On a holiday in the latter half of November, I went to Kyoto in search of autumn leaves. I left my car and luggage at the hotel and headed to a reserved lunch spot, but it was still too early. I didn't have enough time for sightseeing, so I stumbled upon a place and wondered, "What kind of shop is this?" That's how I ended up at "SiCX Kyoto Distillery Gin Distillery." The address is 234 Shimohoritsumecho, Kamihoritsumecho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City. The shop is located on the east bank of the Shichijo Ohashi Bridge, in front of the Shichijo Keihan bus stop. Unlike other shops, this one had a recently opened appearance. I couldn't quite tell what kind of shop it was, but it seemed like a place where I could relax while having a drink. The simple interior had counter seats and bench seats. The back bar area had high ceilings, making it look like it could hold a lot of alcohol. The road-side of the shop had full-length glass windows, creating a bright and open atmosphere. The distillation equipment (for making gin) visible through the glass added a modern touch. I ordered the recommended gin (soda mix) from the menu. The shop manager mentioned that they had just opened in September, but unfortunately, their distillation equipment (from the Netherlands) was still not operational. That's why the bottles displayed on the counter were empty. I was served a gin mix with Bobby's brand (from the Netherlands) and soda, which had a refreshing lemon scent. The taste was clean and the finish was crisp. The distillation equipment is expected to start operating in December or January. I later found out that SiCX from Meguro, Tokyo had expanded to Kyoto with the help of crowdfunding. Despite some setbacks due to COVID-19 and equipment issues, they seem to have a concept of being a "gin distillery that will last for 100 years." The location around Shichijo is not as crowded with tourists during the autumn leaf season, as most visitors head to Arashiyama or Higashiyama temples. The shop is close to Kyoto National Museum and Sanjusangendo, making it a nice place to take a break after a walk. Thank you for the meal!

I love craft gin and visited this place at night. They have incredibly delicious gin and a variety of tasty snacks. The atmosphere is welcoming for solo visitors as well. You can feel the Kyoto vibe around the area, so I highly recommend it.