I didn't have sake at Nakamura, so I headed to a sake bar in Gion with a BM and ended up here. The name of the restaurant reminded me of Osaka Kyobashi's Kagura. When it comes to sake, "Kagura" is a brand from Matsui Sake Brewery in Demachiyanagi, and I have also had "Murasaki" sake in Kita-Shinchi. The bar is located on the 3rd floor of a building that looks like it was built during the bubble era. The spiral staircase on the west side resembles the shape of an electric drill blade. Without a sign on the door, it gives off an exclusive club vibe, making it a bit intimidating to enter. The interior lighting is dim and creates a calming atmosphere. There were three regular customers, two men and one woman, who seemed to know each other. The owner, a young woman, was running the place alone. A group of businessmen who seemed to be first-time visitors arrived later. They requested an interesting aged sake, and the owner recommended "Takejima Junmai Daiginjo Ginpuu Setsusou" from Yoshida Shuzo in Shiga Prefecture. Established in 1877, Yoshida Shuzo aims to create sake with a solid taste and a good finish. The sake I had was aged for about 13 years, with a rich color and a sweetness that spreads in the mouth. When warmed, it might taste similar to sherry. Normally, aged sake is priced quite high, but here it was only ¥600, which was very reasonable. I also had soy sauce-marinated chicken liver for ¥600. The conversation with the owner revealed that she used to work at Matsumoto Shuzo in Fushimi, established in 1791. The brewery is recognized as a modern industrial heritage by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for its octagonal red brick chimney tower built in 1923. I often buy sake from Yamamoto Sake Store in Hirakata, drink Sawayamamto Junmai there, and have also tried Ichigo at Amuz Room in Himeji. The top of the sake menu featured "Sawayamamto" due to my fondness for the brewery. The previous restaurant here was Hana Mikeshubo, which I couldn't visit due to BM. This time, the bill came to ¥1,900 for a trial visit. When it comes to sake in Gion, there is also Sake Bar Plus Cafe (not visited), which I will keep in mind. I look forward to returning and having more sake conversations.

Here is a review of a sake bar in Kyoto that used to be called "Hanamisaki" but has since changed to "Kamigura". The previous owner was an elderly man, but now it is run by a female owner who wears a kimono and provides very gentle customer service. There is a growing trend of sake bars in Kyoto with female owners, such as "Masuya Saketen", "Sake Cafe Hanna", and "Plus Sake Bar Plus Cafe" in the Kawaramachi area. Kamigura offers a wide variety of sake from all over Japan, ranging from well-known brands to lesser-known small breweries. The prices for sake and snacks range from 500 to 700 yen per item, allowing customers to enjoy different types of sake based on their mood. The atmosphere is calm and is especially suitable for those who enjoy trying various types of sake in small quantities. It is not a place for a full meal, so it is recommended for a second or later stop during a night out. Just for your reference!

Located on the third floor of a building on the north side of Gion, this sake bar is a hidden gem beloved by Kyoto locals and renowned chefs. It used to be a slightly upscale establishment called "Hanakan Sakaba." At first, the atmosphere may seem intimidating, but once you step inside, you are greeted by a gentle and welcoming woman. I first encountered this place in the early spring and have visited a few times since. The woman who runs the place used to work at a sake brewery called "Matsumoto Shuzo" in Fushimi. She is young and has a soft demeanor, with a deep knowledge of sake and a friendly, attentive approach. The menu features around 30 carefully selected sake varieties from local breweries like Yoshida Shuzo in Shiga, as well as premium options like "Kokuryu Shuzo" from Fukui. There are also hidden sake selections, totaling around 60 different types. In addition to well-known sake, there are many lesser-known gems from small breweries, making it all the more charming. For those who don't enjoy sake, bottled beer is available, with a seating charge of 700 yen and sake starting at 600 yen for a half serving. The homemade dishes range from 400 yen, featuring Kyoto-style cuisine made with flavorful dashi and ingredients. The interior is smoke-free and consists of only a counter space. The feminine and soft ambiance, along with subdued lighting, creates an environment perfect for savoring the flavors of sake. Some of the sake and dishes I have enjoyed include "Sawayamatsu Moto Morohakari Junmai" from Matsumoto Shuzo in Fushimi for 650 yen, "Yokitogi Junmai Ginjo Namazake" from Yoshida Shuzo in Shiga, "Kaiun Junmai Ginjo Muroka Namazake" from Doi Shuzojo in Shizuoka for 750 yen, "Nizaemon Junmai Daiginjo" from Kokuryu Shuzo in Fukui for 2500 yen, and more. The bar offers a variety of rare and exquisite sake, including rich and flavorful options. The atmosphere is relaxed, with mostly regular customers, and there is a gradual sense of familiarity that develops as you quietly enjoy your drink. While most patrons are regulars, there are occasional opportunities for conversations to expand. Each visit has been a pleasant and soothing experience, with famous chefs from Gion and even the sake connoisseur Yoshida Rui dropping by. Despite the lack of information available about this place, it is a welcoming hidden gem in Gion where you can enjoy sake without any pretentiousness. I hope more people get to know about this sake bar.

I apologize for the contradictory title, but I felt a bit lonely with only one review, so I decided to post. I visited a sake bar that has been gaining popularity in the world of Japanese sake recently. It was my first visit, and I only had two drinks as a nightcap after dinner and wine. I finally got to see the inside of the place, as I couldn't make it to the previous one. The counter has a considerable depth, so even sitting directly in front, there is some distance, and there is a partition in the middle, so different groups do not interfere with each other much. The landlady moves slowly to the back while serving her favorite sake, creating a completely different atmosphere from aggressively snacking and quickly drinking. It's a place to enjoy a leisurely and relaxed time. It's a relief that it's smoke-free for smokers. Smoke is really unnecessary for delicious sake. It opens at 6:00 p.m., so it might be a good place for pre-dinner drinks. I'm happy to have another place to stop by.