On this day, the curry specialty store Shimokawa Spice, which usually operates as a sublease in Nishi-Shinjuku, participated in a special year-end event held at a certain location in Shibuya Center Street. After that, I decided to stop by Iracola Shibuya store, located near the Shibuya entrance of Cat Street. As many of you may already know, the founder of Iracola, Cola Kobayashi (real name Takahide Kobayashi), was born in Tokyo in 1989 and is 33 years old. After graduating from graduate school, he joined a major advertising agency in 2015, but his love for cola since his student days led him to immerse himself in cola making after accidentally finding a cola recipe over 100 years old online. He started selling craft cola on weekends from July 2018, and after raising 2 million yen through crowdfunding, he quit the advertising agency in December of the same year. He opened a craft cola workshop on the site of his grandfather, Ryo Taro Ito, who was a Japanese herbal medicine craftsman, at the former "Ira Yakukou" in Shimoochia. The naming of "Iracola" was actually taken from "Ira Yakukou" in honor of his grandfather's name. I had actually been keeping an eye on Iracola even before the pandemic, and I had planned to visit their main store in Shimoochia, but due to the pandemic, it got postponed and by the time I realized, they were only open on weekends, missing the opportunity to visit. However, I recently found out that they had opened a weekday branch in Shibuya, so I visited for the first time. I walked from Center Gai to Park Street through Inokashira Street. When I crossed the Jingu-mae 6-chome intersection where Park Street meets Meiji Street and turned right after crossing the next traffic light, I found the entrance to Cat Street on the left. As soon as I entered, the shop appeared on the right. I arrived at the shop a few minutes after the scheduled opening time, and there were no other customers. Inside the shop, there were the owner, Cola Kobayashi, and a female staff member. I looked at the menu placed at the checkout counter and ordered THE DREAMY FLAVOR for 500 yen (tax included) without hesitation. While making the payment, I noticed that there were many bottles of cola base liquid on the display shelf next to the cash register. According to the female staff, many people buy them to share with friends or mix with alcohol. After completing the payment, I received the craft cola in a convenient plastic container for takeout and sat at the end of the counter seat facing Cat Street. To the right of the counter seat was the "blending room" and the workspace written on the glass. As advised by the female staff, I mixed the cola base liquid accumulated at the bottom of the container well with carbonated water using a straw before enjoying it, and it had a unique flavor that was completely different from commercial cola. I had enjoyed the amazing cola at Jiyugaoka Burger main store half a year ago, but this one was even more delicious. Perhaps because I had heard that the owner's grandfather was a Japanese herbal medicine craftsman, it had a deep and rich taste that reminded me of traditional herbal medicine. From my counter seat, I had a clear view of passersby on Cat Street through the glass. (Which means they could also clearly see me, haha) The glass-fronted shop's exterior and the red Iracola sign seemed to catch the eye of most people passing by, and almost all of them looked interested as they walked past the shop. During the 10 minutes I was enjoying the cola in the shop, about 10 people came in, some for takeout and some for dining in, and among them were both Japanese and foreign customers. Unfortunately, Cola Kobayashi disappeared into the back of the shop while I was ordering, and even after he came back out, he was engrossed in conversation with other customers, so I didn't have the opportunity to talk to him that day. But if he's there next time, I definitely want to have a chat with him. On the way back, I walked straight out of Cat Street and through the back street in front of Shibuya Gakuen Shibuya Junior and Senior High School (known as Shibushibu) towards the B1 entrance/exit of Tokyo Metro Shibuya Station.

Today's sweet treat is the Japan Edition from Ira Cola, a well-known craft cola shop. This limited edition flavor is only available in-store. I really like the slightly coarse texture of the spices in it. I was able to buy it without any trouble, but there was a line when I left. I have a sweet tooth and enjoy desserts. This cola is a craft cola from Ira Cola in Shibuya.

It's extremely hot and I feel like I'm melting. There's nothing more unpleasant than seeing a man melting. I decided to go into a shop to cool off and have a soda. Once inside, I noticed that the waitress was cute! I listened to her explanation and decided to order a basic cola. It arrived in a pouch pack with ice, soda water, and cola syrup at the bottom. I stirred it and took a sip. It tasted like spicy cola, but somehow familiar. When I mentioned this to the waitress, she said, "People often say it tastes like old-fashioned candy." It made sense to me. It's a taste that you either love or hate. It might be a cola for adults like me. I even found myself eating the ice inside. A cola for adults. Thank you for the meal!

Craft Cola, represented by Ira Cola, offers both dine-in and takeout options, but I opted for a quick can from the vending machine as I had somewhere else to go. It was incredibly delicious - the perfect blend of spice, sweetness, and freshness. It's different from Coca-Cola or Pepsi, and that's what makes it special. Next time, I definitely want to try a freshly made one inside the store. Thank you for the meal!

I went to a specialty shop called "Iyoshi Cola" because I enjoyed the craft cola in a bottle. It is located in Shibuya, right across from Miyashita Park, a little further back. It is right next to Shibuya Education Gakuen Shibuya Junior and Senior High School. Iyoshi Cola is the world's first craft cola specialty maker and store. There are three types available to drink in the store. I decided to try two of them for comparison, "THE DREAMY FLAVOR" and "THE JAPAN EDITION." THE DREAMY FLAVOR has a slight spiciness and citrus scent that soothes the throat, while THE JAPAN EDITION is gentle and mild with honey and yuzu, but has a natural taste with a sharpness. Both are delicious, but my preference is "THE JAPAN EDITION." It's nice to be able to choose depending on your mood. The shop opens at 1:00 PM, so please take note. Iyoshi Cola Shibuya Store Address: 5-29-12 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Business Hours: Open daily, except for the year-end and New Year holidays Time: 13:00-19:00 *Only cashless payment accepted.

I walked for more than 10 minutes from Takadanobaba to Shimo-Ochiai in search of a bottle of Ira Cola. I always buy the bottled Ira Cola when I find it at a stylish shop, but I still think the shop itself is better. There is a new shop on Cat Street, which makes it easier to get to, but I ended up taking longer than expected. This shop is the original, mixing over 12 spices such as raw cola nuts, cardamom, nutmeg, and citrus fruits to create the world's first craft cola. Today, I ordered the original. The pouch had spices and lemon floating in it. I stirred it with a straw before drinking. It has a refreshing citrus aroma and a color more reminiscent of citrus than cola. It looks like a white ale without ice. It has a unique taste but is easy to drink without any strong carbonation. I really like it. I saw the canned Ira Cola and bottled Ira Cola in the vending machine at the shop, but I haven't tried the canned one yet. I feel like trying it.

Hello, this is Sapi. Today, I explored Shibuya and stopped by here on Cat Street. I have always been curious about Iracola, which I occasionally see in vending machines. When I looked at the menu board, I saw "THE JAPAN EDITION" menu, which uses Japanese-style ingredients like yuzu, kuro-moji, and sansho pepper. Kuro-moji is a domestically produced herb that is often used as essential oil or tea. In any case, the Japanese-style spices are intriguing. I placed my order at the counter, where cashless payment is accepted. I paid with my credit card that day. Eventually, my order was ready, so I picked it up and enjoyed it inside the store. I noticed that there is a work area for making cola inside the store. The cola had a hint of spice amidst the sweetness of guarana extract and syrup. Yuzu, kuro-moji, and sansho pepper provided subtle accents to the basic cola flavor. I personally found it a bit sweeter than expected, as I don't like overly sweet beverages, but for most people, it would probably be less sweet than regular cola. I finished it easily. Thank you for the meal.

I visited around 2 pm on a regular day and there were some customers. I tried THE DREAMY FLAVOR for 500 yen, which had a dream-like taste. The Ira Cola is a classic craft cola with a spicy kick, recommended for first-timers. I think it's worth a try, as it has a nice lemon flavor. However, those who prefer regular cola may not be able to appreciate this unique taste. Please give it a try at least once.

While moving from Shibuya to Omotesando, I came across Iracola! I was curious about it, so I decided to try it out. It's a cola with various herbal flavors mixed in, creating a strange taste that seems addictive. It tasted like it might be better for the body than Coca-Cola. I wonder if that's really the case.

Takeout ■ THE DREAMY FRAVOR ¥500 While walking along Cat Street in Harajuku, I came across a unfamiliar sign. I don't walk along Cat Street often anymore, so the lineup of shops seems to change quite frequently. This is the Shibuya branch of "Ira Cola," which has its main store in Shimohiki, known as the birthplace of craft cola. The shop has a simple counter seat, and there is also a workshop next to it. I ordered "THE DREAMY FRAVOR," a drink with a dreamy name that is a staple menu item here. The drink is made by adding carbonation and lemon to the base cola, then served in a bag with a straw like a drip. After mixing it well, I took a sip. It has a spicy flavor, more like an "adult cola." The taste is more spicy than sweet, similar to the strong ginger flavor of Wilkinson's. It's delicious for a casual drink. Sometimes it's nice to skip the vending machine and take a break with craft cola.

Exactly one year ago, I visited Iracola Sohonten in Shimokitazawa, and this time it's Shibuya. I walked north on the promenade just east of Miyashita Park, surrounded by buildings but with a calm atmosphere. There are only a few high counter seats inside the store. I thought about getting a takeout, but since it was drizzling and there was a seat available inside, I decided to dine in. I ordered THE DREAMY FLAVOR (500 yen), a basic flavor, and was handed a cup with instructions to mix it well from the bottom. Cashless payment only. It has a moderate spiciness but is very easy to drink. The slice of lemon added just the right amount of kick to it. It was a very humid day, so I was able to cool down nicely. Iracola, aiming to become a significant presence alongside Coca-Cola and Pepsi, is definitely worth keeping an eye on. [Highlight of this visit] Being able to boast in the future that "I've been to the main store in Shimokitazawa in 2021 and the Shibuya store in 2022" perhaps.

Craft cola that mixes spices on the spot! The freshness of the spices, the strength of the carbonation, the sweetness, everything was top-notch! Plus, drinking it with a zipper was a unique experience. It was really delicious, my friend even bought some cola syrup! Haha, I want to visit again on a hot day! The shop was also stylish!

I couldn't make it there due to the lack of time and timing. It was a weekday lunchtime, so there were no customers. I bought some items and when I left the store, there were about 4 people waiting in line. You can only take out, so it's okay. It's delicious, but a bit expensive. I think it only works because of its location. Maybe because it's a Chinese medicine shop, but when you drink it, you feel a little warm in your body. I'll visit again when I'm nearby. Thank you for the meal.

Craft cola specialty juice bar located about a 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station. The Foodlog rating at the time of visit was 3.12 (June 2022). They also sell Ira Cola in bottles, which could be considered the pioneer of craft cola. I tried the classic recommendation for first-timers, THE DREAMY FLAVOR (500 yen). The shop only accepts cashless payments, which was a bit inconvenient as there weren't many options available (though transportation IC cards were accepted). [THE DREAMY FLAVOR (500 yen)] They make it on the spot when you order it and serve it in a zippered bag. Let's give it a try. It has a spicy flavor with various spices and herbs. While you can definitely taste the cola flavor, the spiciness is more prominent, giving a sensation similar to drinking masala chai. It has a good level of sweetness, and a refreshing citrusy taste lingers in the nose, leaving a cool aftertaste. I would like to try the JAPAN EDITION with yuzu and sansho pepper sometime. Thank you for the meal.

Ira Craft Cola - Magic Syrup A certain YouTuber said it was delicious and I got curious... With the craft cola boom going on, I became interested... From the moment I started researching, I knew I had to try it at least once! My friends haven't tried this craft cola before, so I chose it as a gift. When I asked the staff for a recommended unusual way to mix it, they suggested mixing it with oat milk. But I found it delicious just by mixing it with soda, and I ended up finishing it before I could try mixing it with oat milk. It has a nostalgic taste but also feels new! Men seem to like this taste too. The packaging is stylish and it could be a highly recommended gift as a trendy item.

I visited around 5 o'clock in the evening. The restaurant was a bit crowded despite it being a weekday. The cola was delicious and had a nostalgic taste like cola-flavored ramune candy. I would like to visit again when I'm thirsty and have something to do nearby!

The day before, I tried to visit but it was by reservation only due to some collaboration. The next day, around the same time, I was surprised to find no one there. So, I purchased "THE DREAMY FLAVOR." I was also intrigued by "THE JAPAN EDITION," but it was sold out. It seems like the Japan Edition includes ingredients like yuzu and sansho pepper. Sounds delicious. The cola had a magical taste. They instructed me to mix it well so the color would be uniform. When I took a sip from the bottom, I noticed the spicy cola syrup had settled. I mixed it all together, and it turned into a gentle brown color. It tasted milder than regular cola but with a strong spice flavor. I really liked it! Since there was no one around, I enjoyed it inside the shop. It was so relaxing, almost like Shibuya, right? Maybe it was the time of day or the day itself, but it was a very pleasant experience. It's winter, so they also had a hot mulled wine (known as calimocho) available, which also looked delicious.

I always thought it was just an ordinary cola, but today I noticed something special about Iyoshi. As I walked through Cat Street for the first time since my student days, taking a stroll from Shibuya to Jingu Stadium, I stumbled upon a shop called Ira Cola. The packaging is reminiscent of Kachwari from Koshien, quite clever marketing. When carrying this around, I noticed that people passing by were actually looking at the packaging. Even after finishing the drink, you can fold it up and put it in your bag, which is quite convenient. There are two varieties, the regular Iyoshi Cola and one with a higher mix of spices. I chose the latter, and they even added sansho pepper using a grinder at the end. The taste speaks for itself. It would be nice if they could make a version with less sweetness.

Craft cola shop where lines are formed Overflowing with students, the bustling town of Takadanobaba on the Seibu Shinjuku Line is just one stop away from a completely different atmosphere. Located in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Shimo-Ochiai. A small station building with retro food and drink shops that exude a sense of history. Right after exiting the ticket gate, there is a spacious park called Seseragi-no-Sato. A town with a calm atmosphere and the smell of everyday life. Walking along the road next to the park, you can see the Kanda River. Crossing the bridge and strolling along the cherry tree-lined river, you will soon see a small shop. On a Friday in June, a little earlier than the 1 p.m. opening time, three office workers were lined up. More and more people continued to line up. The shop in question is Iracola Sohonten Shimo-Ochiai. The first store of Iracola, which claims to be the world's first craft cola maker, opened on February 28th of this year. It is located in a quiet residential area with no other prominent shops around. Even on a weekday afternoon, there is a line forming for cola. Customers have been coming in non-stop since the store opened at 1 p.m. And the customer base is diverse, ranging from young men and women, business people in suits, to elderly women clearly living nearby. Looking into the shop, founder Takahide Kobayashi, also known as Cola Kobayashi, was busy working alongside staff wearing Iracola's original T-shirts. He has a grand ambition to become one of the three major brands known as Coca, Pepsi, and Iyoshi by 2025. Next〜I read this article a few years ago and became interested in trying this cola! It's the world's first craft cola specialty shop! The ultimate cola!!! The second store has just opened! Give it a try!

Craft cola, which is made by hand and not available in vending machines, was the most shocking experience of the year. The shop, with a futuristic exterior, fit in seamlessly with the world of Cat Street. Intrigued by the large red sign featuring a kingfisher logo and the words "Craft Cola Origin Shop," I decided to step inside. After receiving a recommendation from the cute staff, I chose the DREAMY FLAVOR, ideal for beginners. The unique beer server-like machine used to make the cola was fascinating to watch, with black and transparent layers of liquid topped with sliced lemon and black pepper. Taking a sip, it tasted like expected cola at first. However, when I followed the staff's advice to mix it thoroughly, the cola transformed into something extraordinary. It was a fresh and spicy cola that burst with flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, and citrus fruits. The owner, Mr. Kobayashi, who comes from a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, spent years perfecting this ultimate cola recipe. The shop also offers other unique creations like "MILKORA" mixed with milk and "THE JAPAN EDITION" made from ingredients sourced from all over Japan. This experience was truly a blend of craftsmanship and romance. I can't wait to try all their offerings on my next visit to the backstreets of Harajuku.

■Evaluation Criteria●Food (Taste): 3●Atmosphere: ●Price Range: 3●Customer Service: 3●Location: 2●Other: This is the origin of craft cola. I ordered the Dream Flavor. It was spicy and delicious, but the strong flavor made it easy to get tired of. I also ordered the Japan Edition. You can feel the yuzu flavor moderately, but the strong acidity makes you get tired of it faster. I came to try the craft cola and was surprised that there is a vending machine nearby. I don't think I will come back as a repeat customer.