Located at the north exit of Nakano Station, this bar is surrounded by individual restaurants, bars, snack bars, and more. The owner is a serious malt maniac, with an impressive selection of bottles on the back bar. When chatting with the owner, you might be presented with bottles you've never seen before. The focus is on bottlers and back vintages, with a wide range of malts you may have never tried before. This place is recommended for those who want to study or enjoy these kinds of rare malts, rather than beginners to single malts. You can expect to see bottles like a 1952 bottling of Highland Park or an Ardbeg Lord of the Isles (which costs around 200,000 yen per bottle). Be careful, as following the owner's recommendations can quickly add up in cost (laughs).

The prices are high, but there are many old bottles. Smoking is allowed.

It was about 15,000 yen. I was surprised at the high price because I just happened to walk in. I think it's good for people who are into that kind of thing.

This is Malt Bar in Nakano. It's about a 5-minute walk from the north exit of Nakano Station. Located in a corner where restaurants line up on the east side of Nakano Broadway. When you stand in front of the shop, you'll see a small Woody-like exterior on top of a cube with the store sign. The entrance is small, requiring you to bend down a bit to enter. Inside, you'll find a small space with only 6 seats at the counter, lined with bottles of malt. The bar specializes in malt, with only a few bottled beers available besides malt. The bar offers premium malt in small bottles, along with a selection of snacks like cream cheese, smoked bacon, and crackers. The bar has a unique selection of malts, with a high proportion of bottlers' products. The atmosphere is quiet and refined, making it a great place to enjoy malt alone or with a friend. The owner, who may look like a rock musician at first glance, is actually calm and polite. Overall, it's a great place to quietly enjoy malt and relax. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth a visit.

A bar for those who have a love for single malt and money. The entrance has a small door that seems to reject visitors, but when you open it, you find a counter with only 6 seats. The dim lighting reveals shelves filled with single malts (although not all can be displayed, with some stored elsewhere). I visited with a friend, hoping to chat a bit more, but it seems this is not a place for casual conversation. I felt a bit nervous. Charmingly displayed bacon and dried fruits adorn the counter, and I was asked for my drink order. I hesitated to order a draft beer, and even major malts like Glenlivet or Macallan seemed to be frowned upon. As I struggled to think of a rare brand to order, the bartender asked, "What do you usually drink?" Feeling cornered, I replied honestly, "I like Oban." Despite the extensive selection, the bartender brought out a 32-year-old Oban. This bottle would cost thousands if purchased at a liquor store. With a cost of around 7000-8000 yen per glass, it was more than I could afford, especially with my friend sitting next to me. I managed to negotiate for a cheaper drink and had two before leaving. The pricing wasn't exorbitant, just standard for malt enthusiasts. The bar has been in business since 2006, catering to a different crowd in Nakano, not just the Hoppy and izakaya-goers. It's a hidden gem in the neighborhood, typical of Nakano's charm.

Malt Bar is located in a corner of the back alleys near the north exit of Nakano Station. You enter through a low sliding door. This bar is dedicated to serving mainly malt whiskies. The interior has only a counter with 5 or 6 seats, and the walls are covered with malt bottles. They don't stock regular official bottles, only rare ones like those exported to Italy or vintage specified whiskies. There is no menu, you choose your drink by looking at the bottles. The aged malt whiskies are best enjoyed straight. I ended up indulging in rare bottles like Port Ellen from the 80s and Bowmore from the 70s, and got quite drunk, resulting in a hefty bill. They don't accept cards, so make sure to have enough cash on you. I've had my fair share of malt whiskies, but I have never seen a bar as dedicated as this one.

This is a malt bar located a 3-minute walk from the north exit of Nakano Station, just off to the right down a small alley. The entrance is small and you have to bend your back to enter, giving it a tea room-like feel. Inside, there are only six seats at the small counter, lined with what appear to be malt whiskey bottles. The back bar is filled with official old bottles and bottlers. It doesn't seem like the kind of place you go to get drunk. Instead of sticking to the usual standard drinks, it's best to ask for recommendations based on your taste and mood that day. It's a great spot for malt lovers, but it might be a bit challenging for beginners or those who stumble upon it unknowingly.笑

The bar is located off a street lined with other bars, making it hard to find. The entrance is small and you have to crouch to enter. They have a great selection of malt whiskies, mostly independent bottlers and old bottles. It's a quiet place with no menu, so it may be intimidating for those not familiar with whisky. Be sure to ask about prices before ordering to avoid surprises at the checkout. I ordered a Bowmore 40-year-old from the Peerless series, which had a muscat-like aroma and was wonderful. However, it cost ¥10,000 per glass. This is a place to visit when you want to indulge.

In a corner of Nakano's drinking district, there is an authentic bar with a high level of expertise. The back shelf is lined with bottles, not your usual Maker's Mark, but something from the early 80s. Everything seems to be considered premium here. When asked for a gentle and elegant drink, I was recommended a 16-year-old Glenrothes. I had been avoiding drinking malt whisky straight recently, but in this case, I had to make an exception. Three charm dishes were served as a snack, including cream cheese with blueberry jam, rum-soaked raisins, and thawed lychee. The whisky was 2000 yen per glass, with the snack costing an additional 500 yen, totaling 2500 yen per person. It may be considered upscale for Nakano, but it's a good deal.