It's a craft cola shop. The interior is stylish with a nice spice aroma. They make your drink right in front of you when you order. Walking down a small path on a hot summer day surrounded by the pleasant scent of craft cola is a great feeling.

I tried this craft cola. I heard that cola is made by mixing cola nuts with sugar and spices to make syrup, which is then mixed with carbonated water. I also remembered that Coca-Cola is made by importing the concentrate and mixing it with carbonated water. The cola syrup here has a different blend of spices, creating a complex flavor. I think I might get hooked on this craft cola.

I drank a cola for 500 yen at "Ira Cola" in Shitaya. It's a stand store located near the Shinmejiro Street on the Kanda River. They sell craft cola, and when you order, they mix soda and cola syrup in a container, add a slice of lemon and a straw, and hand it to you. The finishing touch was a sprinkle of black pepper. The taste is spicy like ginger, and you would believe it if it was sold as ginger ale. Come to think of it, back in the 1970s when I was in elementary school, I once drank cola made from syrup at my classmate Okamoto's house. His father was in the TV industry, so having such things at home was not unusual.

I visited Iracola, a craft cola specialty store along the Kanda River while taking a walk to see the cherry blossoms from Takadanobaba Station. I purchased THE DREAMY FLAVOR (500 yen) and a small bottle of syrup (1,200 yen). The cola has syrup at the bottom, so you need to mix it well with a straw. It mixes easily when you stick a lemon in and stir. The cola has a strong spice flavor, very intense and delicious. It gives a good kick when you drink it, and it tastes great. I think it would be amazing to drink on a hot summer day. I will definitely come back when summer comes. It was delicious!

Craft cola shop located along the Kanda River near Shimo-Ochiai Station on the Shinjuku Line. The cola is infused with multiple spices such as cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, and even black pepper. The cola brings together these stimulating flavors. I couldn't forget the craft cola scent I experienced at Kosugiyu in Koenji, and now I can enjoy that aroma 100%.

Craft Cola Workshop in Shitagokou, Cafe Visit Extra Edition When you cross the Kanda River and continue walking in Shitagokou on weekends, you will find a specialized craft cola shop called Labo Workshop Craft Cola standing along the river. The workshop has a nostalgic atmosphere with a mixing room and various displays. The story of the founding of Ira Cola, which has been leading the craft cola movement in Japan, is quite intriguing. The founder, who had a successful career as an event planner, became interested in cola due to its effectiveness in alleviating migraines. This interest led to tasting different colas and eventually exploring craft colas from around the world. After researching and experimenting, the founder decided to start producing craft cola in 2018 at the former site of Ira Yakuhin, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine workshop founded in 1954 by their grandfather. This marked the birth of Ira Cola, the world's first craft cola specialist. From starting with a food truck to opening a store in Shitagokou and later a second store in Shibuya, Ira Cola has been gaining attention for its unique flavors and high-quality ingredients. The original Dreamy Flavor, which includes yuzu and sansho pepper, and the Japan Edition with various spices are among the popular choices. The cola is made using raw cola nuts and a blend of over ten spices, including cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla beans. The addition of cola nuts, which come from the cola tree native to West Africa, gives Ira Cola its distinctive flavor and aroma. Compared to major cola brands, Ira Cola stands out with its complex and refreshing taste, leaving a lingering fragrance after each sip. With the craft cola industry growing rapidly, Ira Cola plans to launch canned cola next year, adding to the excitement surrounding unique and innovative cola offerings.

Thursday (Public holiday) / 13:00 / Solo payment: using QUICPay or transportation electronic money While taking a stroll, I stumbled upon a stylish shop called "Craft" Cola that caught my eye. The shop had only two counter seats. I usually don't drink commercial cola because I don't like the taste, but the staff kindly explained each menu item to me, so I decided to order THE JAPAN EDITION for 550 yen. It's a craft cola made from carefully selected ingredients from various regions of Japan, such as yuzu, kuro-moji, and sansho pepper. The slight spiciness of the sansho pepper and the chewy texture of the yuzu were delicious. I'm not a fan of Coca-Cola and have only had it a few times in my life, but I found this craft cola quite tasty. Craft cola is really something. Thank you for the meal. ----------- Visit rating: ★3.38 / 37 reviews

Iyoshi Cola was the driving force behind the craft cola boom! They started as a PopUp, but now they have a physical store and workshop, so I wanted to visit. I went to the Ira Cola main store on a weekend - they have standard cola as well as some limited edition options only available at the store. The interior of the store is lovely, and they pour the cola from a machine right in front of you, which is really cool. I tried THE JAPAN EDITION with yuzu, sansho pepper, and kuro moji flavors. It had a spicy twist compared to the standard cola! I've tried several craft colas, but I still think Iyoshi Cola is delicious. I also wanted to try the milk cola! I saw someone come to buy cola while I was running, and I thought it was a wonderful cola stand. ☺️

It's been hot in June 2022, so I went to "Ira Cola" to cool off. The store is operated by "GRAND GIFT Co., Ltd." with CEO Takahide Kobayashi, also known as Cola Kobayashi. Before starting the store, he worked at an advertising agency while making cola every day due to his love for it, but he could only make something that looked like cola. However, while sorting through his grandfather's belongings, who was a herbalist, he found a recipe for herbal concoctions. Taking this as inspiration, he created a unique cola and founded the store. The one-of-a-kind herbal cola was born. The store is located in Shimoochiai, where his grandfather's herbal workshop "Ira Yakukou" used to be. It is situated in front of the Kanda River, with a logo featuring a kingfisher, reminiscent of the river. Just like the kingfisher that bravely dives into unfamiliar environments to catch fish, the logo symbolizes the desire to challenge conventions. I ordered the first installment of the "Drink Japan" series, "KAN KITSU ZAN COLA," made with carefully selected ingredients from various regions of Japan, and "MILKOLA," a drink made by mixing cola with carbonation and milk. The former had a strong citrus flavor, combined with unique spices like cloves and cinnamon, creating a one-of-a-kind cola. It also had a hint of sansho pepper. With its complex yet refreshing taste, it was perfect for a hot day. Next, the latter. It was incredibly delicious. I was curious about what cola mixed with milk would taste like, and it turned out that the meticulous and delicate flavor of Ira Cola was enhanced by the taste of a lactic acid beverage. While the initial taste was creamy from the milk, the strong carbonation made for a refreshing aftertaste. This is definitely a must-try. The one-of-a-kind herbal cola was truly a taste that you can only experience here. The store also has a branch in Shibuya, where they offer alcoholic beverages like Cuba Libre, so I'm thinking of checking it out. Above all, "MILKOLA" is highly recommended.

It's Saturday at 4 pm and the place is bustling with young people. I've always liked mixing syrup with soda water, especially ginger ale. This place I visited this time can make original cola that you can drink right away. Oh, I was supposed to bring coffee with me. I tried making it at home. It's good, but a bit expensive. I guess this is how much it costs to make it properly. I'll definitely visit again.

This is the world's first craft cola specialty store. They create their cola by blending more than 10 spices such as cola nuts, cardamom, and nutmeg based on the original cola recipe from 100 years ago. The cola artisan, whose grandfather was a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, graduated from Hokkaido University Faculty of Agriculture and the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Life Sciences. While working for a major company, he pursued the art of cola making and eventually established this world's first craft cola specialty maker and store. I had seen them featured on TV a while back and was curious, so I purchased 3 bottles. Each bottle cost around 600-700 yen, which is quite pricey, but I wanted to try it at least once. The sweetness is subtle, and the spicy kick was enjoyable. (April 2022) The current Tabelog rating is 3.41.

From Takadanobaba, head west along the Kanda River to find a craft cola shop tucked away by the river. The Iracola costs ¥450 per order and is said to be the world's first craft cola specialty store. Outside the shop, there is a vending machine lined with Iracola bottles. The taste is definitely cola, with a slightly spicy twist. While the price of ¥450 may be high, it's a unique and memorable cola that you might only buy once.

A stylish craft cola shop within walking distance from Shimoochiai Station. It is located along the river, and I imagine it must be very beautiful around the shop during cherry blossom season. The interior of the shop is not very spacious, but there are a few counter seats. Additionally, there is a vending machine outside that can be used.

I visited this place along the river. The background music in the store is upbeat electronic Western music with a strong beat. I ordered the "Dreamy Flavor." It was served quickly. When enjoyed by the river, it has a refreshing cola taste. It was a mysterious drink that you make by mixing it yourself.

I had been interested in the news about a mobile food truck and had been purchasing syrup through crowdfunding since I couldn't go to Tokyo. This time, I finally visited the main store & workshop in Shimo-Ochiai. Although the Shibuya store was much closer considering the distance, I decided to go to Shimo-Ochiai since it's only open on weekends. When I got off at Shimo-Ochiai Station for the first time, I found that the town has a nice atmosphere with a river flowing in the middle. Walking along the riverside path, I spotted the kingfisher logo. There was a bench in front of the store where a couple was sitting, and there was also a vending machine with bottled drinks, maybe for weekdays. Inside, the staff was working in the workshop and came out to assist me. The menu had 3 options: THE DREAMY FLAVOR (500 yen), MILKOLA (600 yen), THE JAPAM EDITION (550 yen). I ordered the basic THE DREAMY FLAVOR and was instructed to mix it well from the bottom. Payment is cashless only. I enjoyed the drink on my way back to Shimo-Ochiai Station. It had a nice balance of spice and was very easy to drink. A slice of lemon added just the right amount of flavor. I will continue to keep an eye on Ira Cola, which aims to become a significant presence like Coca-Cola and Pepsi. [Good Points of This Visit] I might be able to brag about having visited the main store in Shimo-Ochiai in 2021 someday.

I recently learned about its existence from a documentary on TV. Craft Cola, which a young man devoted himself to by quitting his job and pouring his passion into its development. I decided to walk from Takadanobaba Station along the river. The route was a bit tricky as I had to zigzag through the residential area where the river flows. Without a smartphone, I might not have been able to find it. It's right in front of Shimo-Ochiai Station. I could see an old-fashioned building that reminded me of a pharmacy along the river walk path called Cola Kodo. The blue car parked on the side and the kingfisher's trademark caught my eye. This is it. The founder, Cola Kobayashi, inherited his grandfather's Chinese medicine pharmacy, called Ira Yakko, and opened it under the same name. I remember he used to work for a major listed company, but he pursued his passion for making cola so much that he started a craft cola boom that even moved large companies. I'm impressed by his passion for wanting to make his favorite cola with his own hands and the determination to realize his dream. They say they have reproduced a recipe from 100 years ago, which makes me very curious. Was cola really being consumed back then? I always thought that cola was introduced to Japan after the war as a policy of American companies to captivate the Japanese people. Let's take a look at it. When I peeked inside the shop through the open door, a female clerk greeted me. Of course, I was there for the craft cola, but there were three types on the menu, and I didn't know which one to choose at first glance. When I asked, I was recommended THE DREAMY FLAVOR, which they said was the standard. Since there were no other customers in the shop, I decided to take my time to consider it. By the way, they only accept cashless payments, so be careful. I was handed a drink not in a bottle or a cup, but in a plastic pouch, which was very craft-like. It was nice to see the cola ingredients mixed with carbonated water. I stirred it well with a straw, and it foamed up. The faint scent of spice mixed with citrus stung my eyes. This might be a love-it-or-hate-it kind of drink. It tastes more like a spicy ginger ale with a primitive cola flavor. The exotic spice makes it feel like a distant relative of chai. But thanks to the cola, it still has the familiar cola smell. Moreover, with cardamom and cloves, spices commonly found in trendy spice curry, it might go well with curry... When drinking, finely crushed spices also enter the mouth, so some people might find it off-putting. I finished it in less than 5 minutes, but it felt like a waste to just leave after that, so I decided to buy some cola concentrate to take home. I bought THE DREAMY FLAVOR that I just drank and THE JAPAN EDITION, blended with yuzu and sansho pepper. The naming sense is really good. The blending room, labeled as a workshop, is glass-walled, so my eyes are involuntarily drawn to it. Perhaps the young female clerk is receiving guidance on blending from the older female clerk. I'm intrigued by the seasoned machinery and the spices lined up that tickle my curiosity. *A few days later, as the heat returned, I decided to mix THE JAPAN EDITION, which I had bought as a souvenir, with chilled carbonated water. I don't know, this is beyond the realm of cola...

I happened to come across this place while looking at Google Maps. It's a 5-minute walk from Shimoochiai Station, near the Kanda River. The shop was closed on the day I visited, but there was a vending machine next to it, so I bought a bottle (450 yen). It was a refreshing cola with a hint of cinnamon in a slightly sparkling drink. I was curious about what the inside of the shop looks like.

After eating two bowls of ramen in Shimoochiai, instead of heading straight home as usual, I made a detour. I spotted Japan's first "craft cola specialty store," Iracola, nearby. It seemed to have a high level of recognition since it had been featured on TV. The store is located in a narrow alley along a river in a residential area. It's a pretty inconspicuous location, and even local residents might not notice it. But in this age of social media dominance, maybe such a location isn't that much of a disadvantage? When I arrived at the store, I saw a lady and a child drinking the purchased cola on the bench in front of the store. Two other ladies also bought cola and left. The customer base seemed reasonable. It's not just for takeout, there are also two counter seats facing the window inside the store. The menu has three options. This time, I tried the default "THE DREAMY FLAVOR." After leaving the store, I slowly mixed the bag and took a sip... The sweetness is mild, the spiciness is strong, and the flavor is completely different from regular Coca-Cola. This is also cola, huh? Interesting, huh. If asked which one is more delicious, I would say Coca-Cola, but this fresh sensation... It's worth trying at least once! Maybe I'll also try the Milk or Japan Edition.

Milk Cola for 600 yen. On a hot day like today, it's easy to gulp it down. I was skeptical about mixing cola and milk, but surprisingly they go well together. It's milky, yet the carbonation of the cola leaves a refreshing aftertaste. The shop is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, but it wasn't crowded today. ✌️

May 3, 2021, holiday. Located 5 minutes on foot from Shimoochiai Station, this store offers freshly made craft cola for takeout only. There is seating available inside the store and benches outside. You can purchase syrup and stickers, as well as bottled cola from the vending machine.