A drinking buddy posted that they are going to AXIS, so I decided to check it out. The atmosphere at the restaurant is great with nice lighting and good spacing between tables. They offer a variety of Japanese wines by the glass, making it enjoyable. I wish I could have tried more if I wasn't driving. I am looking forward to visiting again soon. #AXIS #JapaneseWine #HiddenGemWineBar

I've always been curious about this wine bar but found it hard to enter without a reason. Today, there are no customers. This must be the perfect opportunity to finally go in! They serve Japanese wines like Koshu, Yoichi, Takahata, carefully selected from top wineries. We had a cheese platter and 5 glasses of wine for two. Enjoyed some wine with a bit of knowledge. Felt like a grown-up. Next time, I plan to visit the wine bar in Niihara that was recommended to me.

It is a rare Japanese wine specialty store, which I think offers a special experience.

Drinking wine and eating dinner at this place was not a good idea. The steak was too tough...

The owner's thoughtfulness is excellent, the food is delicious, and it is perfect for quietly enjoying a drink.

Today, I went to "Axis" in Asakusabashi for the first time in a while! Axis is a wine bar specializing in Japanese wines! The wines I tried were: - Takahata Sparkling Delaware 2017 (Takahata Wine) A sparkling wine made from Delaware grapes. I like the unique sweetness of Delaware grapes. - Ice Essence Ice Fairy (Asahi Machi Wine) An extremely sweet wine made by freezing fully ripe grapes. The sweetness is irresistible... - Schönburger 2017 (Shikishima Brewing) A wine variety born in Germany, rare in Japan. You can enjoy its unique aroma and fruity taste. I had a fun conversation with the eccentric master and got happily drunk on delicious wines!

On February 16th (Thursday), after finishing work, a group of friends went to Asakusabashi. Today, they invited a friend to join them at Fujiyoshi in Asakusabashi. They enjoyed delicious quail hot pot at Fujiyoshi, and then headed to their favorite Japanese wine bar, Axis. They started with a toast with Heartland beer and enjoyed snacks like blueberries, kumquats, and bracken. They had the classic Rubaiyat Delaware wine, followed by a sweet Ice Fairy dessert.

On July 11th (Monday), after finishing work, the drinking enthusiast went to Kameido. Today, I invited a drinking friend and went to "Ajiban" in Kameido!! After drinking at "Ajiban" in Kameido, we returned to Asakusabashi and went to my familiar place, Axis!! It had been temporarily closed a few times recently, so it was a long-awaited visit!! First, I had Takayashiro Farm & Winery's Sauvignon Blanc, which was a refreshing dry white wine. For snacks, I had marinated Yanaka ginger and edamame, dried fruits, and more!! The conversation with the master, whom I hadn't seen in a while, was enjoyable, and I also had my favorite sweet "Francisco" as an additional drink to finish off the night!! ******************************************************************************* <2013/05> After two months away from Asakusabashi, the drinking enthusiast visited my favorite place in Asakusabashi, "Axis"!! It stays open late, so even if I drink somewhere else, I always end up coming back to Asakusabashi and stopping by... (I even went four times a week before...) It's a cozy Japanese wine bar. The location is a bit hidden in a residential area, giving it a secretive or hidden feel... And the master, Mr. Yamazawa, is easygoing and fun to talk to. Since it's a Japanese wine bar, the wine is delicious, and the food is quite elaborate. Recommended dishes for the drinking enthusiast include: - Just Blueberry, which is just blueberries but goes really well with wine. - Potato salad with bacon, a cylindrical potato salad with bacon for a striking presentation. - Warm Camembert with honey apple sauce, a dessert after drinking. My recent favorites are: - Grilled salmon mousse canapé - Baked cheese with Koya tofu These dishes change daily, so you can enjoy new encounters with different dishes every day. And now, the unofficial menu item: - TKGY (Tamago Kake Gohan Yaki), which is basically TKG (raw egg over rice) cooked... perfect for a late-night snack after drinking. ******************************************************************************* <2012/04/02> On April 2nd (Monday), after finishing work, the drinking enthusiast returned to Asakusabashi, the nearest station. It was a Monday, but I was in the mood for a drink, so I decided to embark on the second Asakusabashi exploration tour!! First, we went to the famous "Nishiguchi Yakiton" in Asakusabashi, then to the tempura restaurant "Rokudenashi" for the second stop. After wandering around and heading home, I stumbled upon a wine bar-like place!! I went to the Japanese wine bar "AXIS"!! It's really secluded in a residential area... truly a hidden gem. When I entered, there was only a counter, and the handsome master greeted me, looking like Shosuke Tanihara... I ordered a "sweet white," and the Rubaiyat Delaware arrived!! This sweetness!! It was exactly the kind of white wine I like!! I had a cheese platter as a snack and enjoyed delicious Japanese wine at AXIS, a place that I really liked!! I was so impressed that I will definitely be back for more!!

Once again, this is a restaurant recommended by Bollare-san. It is located near Asakusabashi East Exit, past Suisinakan, and down the next alley. This wine bar specializes in domestic wines. It stays open until early morning, making it a good spot for waiting for the first train. Located in a residential area, it attracts locals, and when I passed by the other day, it was full even late at night. For my first drink, I had a sparkling Koshu wine. It had a slightly golden color and a rich taste. The black label made it look cool (laughs). For my second drink, I tried a quirky wine with a picture as its name. It had a soft and easy-to-drink taste. They also offer other sparkling wines and red wines. Since it was crowded in December, I only had two drinks this time. I hope to visit again next time and take my time, including trying their food.

In October 2014, revisited①Asahi Machi Wine Sparkling DelawareProducer: Asahi Machi Wine Co., Ltd.Produced in: Yamagata Prefecture, JapanVariety: Delaware 100%Low temperature fermentation, low temperature aging. The good qualities of Delaware are fully expressed. Excellent quality. Good attack.②Lumiere Petillant Orange 2012(?)Producer: Lumiere Co., Ltd.Produced in: Kaihigashi region, Yamanashi PrefectureVariety: Koshu 100%I like all of Lumiere's sparkling wines. Especially the Orange is beautiful when poured into a glass. The aftertaste is pleasant. Suitable for slow enjoyment.Visited again in July 2014Visited again after a meal and still not satisfied with the drinks. The first bottle was "2013 Ka-yoshi- Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay." A well-balanced sparkling wine. "Ka" hasn't been seen much at the "Nomon" inside JR stations recently, so I haven't bought it much. I thought the eggplant sauté and beef would go well with red wine, so the second bottle was red. "2012 Asaya Kachofugetsu / Tsuki Asayano Noir." Aged in American oak barrels. A solid red wine. The variety called Kai Noir might be the first time for me. It is a cross between Black Queen and Cabernet Sauvignon. The aroma is not as strong as I thought, just right. This is also delicious. I ended up liking it. Next time, if I see it at a wine shop, I will buy it. Axis introduces various delicious Japanese wines, so it's fun. There are also various dishes. Careful. So, if the orders continue, it may take time, but at that time, enjoy the wine slowly.Visited again in June 2014I can't drink much alcohol, but I ended up stopping by on the way back from a meal. It was late, but almost full. I'm glad it's become a popular place. I had potato salad as a side dish. I imagined a mound of potato salad, but it was shaped like a cake, with diced potato fritters and bacon on top. It looks just like a cake. Delicious! The wine was Lumiere Petillant Orange. A light orange color like a rosé wine. Beautiful. The second glass was Okushiri Winery Chardonnay 2013. A solid white wine. This is also delicious.Visited again in November 2012I mainly drink wine at home, but today I wanted to drink delicious wine, so I went to a nearby bar specializing in Japanese wine. I thought I remembered the location, but I wandered around Kappabashi and Asakusabashi for a while. There are many types of glass wine, and you can try various kinds. There are also many types of bottled wine, so you can take them home even if you don't finish drinking. You can enjoy the wine slowly because you can pour plenty into the glass. Since all wineries also offer mail order, if you are introduced here and like something, you may want to try it at home.①Rubaiyat Koshu 2003Producer: Marufuji Wineryhttp://www.rubaiyat.jp/index.htmlProduced in: KatsunumaVariety: Koshu 100%A winery with a history of over 100 years. A matured aroma. The beautiful yellowish color. The acidity is impressive, with a dry taste. Smooth to drink. There are also one-liter bottles for house wine, which you can also enjoy here.②Excellent Limite Kaminoyama Cabernet SauvignonProducer: Santoneige Winehttp://www.asahibeer.co.jp/enjoy/wine/ste-neige/index.htmlProduced in: Zao foothills, Kaminoyama, YamagataVariety: Cabernet Sauvignon 100%Grapes harvested in Kaminoyama, known for the rice "Haenuki" in Yamagata, and produced at a winery in Yamanashi. The fruity flavor is impressive, with a deep taste. It used to be a Western liquor production factory of Kyowa Fermentation, but it changed to Asahi Beer in 2002.③Gassan Wine Soleil Levant Yama SauvignonProducer: Gassan Wine Yamabudo Research Institutehttp://www.gassan-wine.com(JA Shonai)http://www.ja-shonai.or.jpProduced in: Asahi district, Tsuruoka City, YamagataVariety: Yama Sauvignon 100%When I visited last time ===========

After having a meal at Fuji Yoshio, I finally decided to check out AXIS, a place I had been curious about since it opened but never visited. I had a Riesling Forte (refreshing and delicious), a simple blueberry (300 yen, fresh blueberries surprisingly paired well with the wine), and for my second drink, the elusive KOSHU 1999 (a domestic dessert wine that was also delicious). The interior of the restaurant had a woody feel with a hint of wood scent. The restroom was clean, and Mr. Yamazawa's service was great. I only spent around 2000 yen, which was very affordable. It was a fun and enjoyable place.

Theme: Wine Bar Japanese Wine Bar @ Asakusabashi "AXIS" Recently, with the Japanese wine boom, specialty stores have been increasing. As a Japanese person, it's essential to drink Japanese wine. One of these places is "AXIS," quietly standing in an alley. Even though I looked at the map, I still got a little lost. Inside the shop, there was a wooden counter with just one master. It felt like a high-end Japanese restaurant. I tried the Koshu sparkling wine. The snacks were blueberries, dried fruits, a perfect match for wine. But it seems they also have proper meals, as they specially go to buy VIRON bread. If you open the wine yourself, they give you a 100 yen discount. If they give a discount just for opening it yourself, it might be worth a try. Japanese wine doesn't make you tired of drinking it, so I like it.

Around 9:30 on Friday night, the two of us arrived at the restaurant, but the counter-only space was already full. From the outside, the place looked like a cozy cafe, but it was actually a wine bar. The wooden counter and the interior gave off a log cabin vibe in some areas. They only served Japanese wines, which were all on the lighter side. We enjoyed the natural wines with a grape-like taste, while the ones with a California-like acidity were also light. The sparkling wine with a golden hue had a rich flavor and was delicious. The place was run by a single master, so sometimes there was a bit of a wait when orders piled up, but the atmosphere was friendly and lively, with locals chatting with each other. It seemed like a place where neighbors casually gathered, or where people stopped by on their way home from the station. It felt more cozy than a typical bar, and it was a local favorite spot. We tried various sautéed mushrooms and potatoes, and were particularly drawn to the bowl of mixed wild mushrooms. It seemed like they carefully selected high-quality ingredients like king trumpet mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms.

The wine bar with a wide counter is spacious and clean, creating a very comfortable atmosphere. The owner, who used to work at a winery in Kofu, is very knowledgeable about domestic wines. When you order food, they may disappear into the kitchen, but if you relax and enjoy your drink, it's not a problem. The service is just right, and the selection of domestic wines includes sparkling, white, and red varieties. After trying a few, I found my favorite and now I always order the same one. The snacks are all perfect for pairing with wine. If you want a hearty meal, you might find them lacking, but as snacks, they are more than enough. I always ask for bread, which is a delicious baguette bought from Marunouchi. I enjoy half with the wine and save the rest for breakfast the next day. Although I could buy it myself, I prefer to have it here. They open early on weekends, so it's great for a drink in the daytime or even late at night. It's not just about the wine, but also the cozy atmosphere that keeps drawing me back.

A while ago, I discovered this shop while passing through a residential area instead of taking the usual route from the station to my office. I had tried to visit a few times before, but it was always full and I couldn't get in. However, around 6 pm, when I passed by and saw that it was open but empty, I decided to go in. It was nice that they were open relatively early. Since it was after work, I started with a beer, which I believe was a bottled beer as they didn't have draft beer. After finishing my beer, I asked for a recommendation based on the descriptions on the blackboard, and the staff suggested something that would suit me best, so I ordered that. Despite being labeled as Japanese wine, I didn't really notice much difference from Western wines, and it didn't feel particularly Japanese to me. The snack options were limited, but they were decent for the price. Overall, the wine and food were average, but I couldn't quite get used to the unique style of the owner's service. Even when I called in advance to ask if I could reserve a seat, the response was dismissive. Ultimately, I think the personality of the staff plays a big role. I probably won't be returning for a second visit.

On March 17, 2012 (Saturday), I visited a wine bar that had opened around November last year and had caught my attention as I passed by a few times. After dinner, I felt like having a drink, so I decided to check it out. To be honest, the location is a bit hard to find and it's quite a walk from Asakusabashi Station. So, I'll give you a quick guide. From Asakusabashi Station, walk along Edo Street, turn left at Mizuho Bank, and head north on the second small alley. If you go past "Jonty," you've gone too far. When I visited on a Saturday night, it was raining, and it was just before 10 pm, so there was no one else there except the owner. The owner introduced the shop a bit and recommended a wine for me. The shop only serves domestic wines, with over 40 varieties available. They also have 5 or more types of daily changing glass wines. The first glass I had was the house wine, priced at a reasonable 500 yen. I also ordered a potato salad. The snacks range from 300 yen to 900 yen, and they are proper dishes, not just random nuts. As I chatted with the owner, some regulars from the neighborhood also arrived, and we had a great time chatting and drinking wine. Besides the house wine, the other wines were priced between 700 yen and 900 yen, but the great thing is that they pour generously, probably about 1.5 times more than other places. In the end, I had all the red wines of the day (including three servings of Tsukiyama) and a 35% wine like Grappa. Domestic wine specialty bars are still rare in Tokyo. Given the location, it may become a local favorite, but I recommend visiting this place to experience the current trend of highly acclaimed domestic wines, which are gaining popularity even overseas. They said that they will be increasing the variety of wines they offer, so I look forward to that. It's close to "Jonty" or "Gracia," so it's a good place for a second drink afterwards. Oh, and they're open until 5 am, so no need to worry about missing the last train! (laughs)

Just a short walk from Asakusabashi Station, there is a shop tucked away on a back street. Personally, I'm not a fan of wine, except for white wine, but I've been in a bit of a wine mood lately and apparently mentioned it somewhere, so I was invited here. The highlight here is definitely the variety of domestic wines you can enjoy. It's quite enjoyable. (I feel like there aren't many people who drink domestic wines around me, despite there being quite a few wine lovers. As someone who has inherited the DNA of Yamanashi, this is a bit disappointing...) The L-shaped counter has about 10 seats, creating a relaxed and nice atmosphere. It feels like a place you could use for a date. From looking at the atmosphere around, it seems like most people use it as a second stop. However, they also offer a variety of dishes, so you can really enjoy the marriage of wine and food. I had the bamboo shoot and wild vegetable stew. It's surprising how well Japanese cuisine goes with domestic wines. The owner used to work at a winery in Yamanashi in the past. They introduce various wines to you. I've only had domestic wines from Yamanashi, Nagano, and Hokkaido before (since I found my favorite winery and have been sticking with it...), but apparently they also make wine in Iwate and Yamagata. Those who enjoy wine will surely have a lively wine discussion. I've discovered a great restaurant that unfortunately isn't in my neighborhood.