Discover Japanese Whiskey In Shinjuku's Golden Gai: Comorebi –Saudade-

For most people sake comes to mind when thinking about Japanese alcohol. However, recently Japanese whiskey has been getting more and more attention. Japanese whiskey brands have continued to receive influential international awards, and are coveted by whiskey fans the world over. This time, we will introduce you to a Shinjuku bar where you can enjoy a night out while receiving an English lecture about Japanese whiskey: comorebi –saudade-.

Venture Into the Deep Drinking Quarter of Golden Gai

Golden Gai is a corner of the Shinjuku district, which is said to be Asia’s largest entertainment quarter. Small, low buildings are crammed together in rows, and the neon signs blinking above create a unique atmosphere.

Not limited to bars, the streets have pubs, izakayas, snack bars and other drinking establishments all crowded together. After being introduced in the Lonely Planet guidebook, this area has become a frequent destination for travelers in Japan.

Our destination is one of Golden Gai’s narrow side streets, marked with a small white sign: comorebi –saudade-.

The board at the door has an English menu written on it, and you can hear the strings of bossa nova coming from inside the bar. Well, let’s head inside.

A Bartender Who Will Suggest The Right Drink for You

Climb the stairs and a futuristic blue-white counter will appear, rising out of the bar’s classic atmosphere. Behind the counter, Nobuaki Takahashi, the owner, will be making drinks. I met Adi, an Indian man visiting Tokyo from Hong Kong, already seated at the bar. I said “Some Japanese whiskey, please,” and Mr. Takashi quickly replied, “I’ve got just the thing for you.”

Mr. Takahashi’s choice for me was the Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt. “Since you’ve come all this way, why not try some Nikka, which you can only drink in Japan?” Accepting the suggestion, Adi decided to try it out as well. After his first sip, he simply said, “Fantastic.” He continued, “This whiskey is wonderful. I’m glad I listened to your recommendation.” Adi, a whiskey devotee who has tried many brands, really liked the spirit of craftsmanship that went into developing Nikka’s flavor.

Other Japanese whiskey brands on the shelves included popular varieties like Suntory Yamazaki and Hakushu, as well as rare Nikka varieties like Yoichi, Miyazaki-jo, Taketsuru and more.

The bar stocks up to 60 varieties of whiskey from around the world, as well as single malt whiskey made from 100% barley malt. French sparkling wines, white and red wines, and even Kyoto’s Koto-no-Shizuku sake are some of the other offerings available.

Heart and Soul Poured into a Bar

When Mr. Takashi was a student, he spent one year abroad in America, studying English. After gaining experience as a bartender for five years, he opened this bar, comorebi –saudade-. At that time, he wanted to build a bar that focused on whiskey and wine, so he earned a wine sommelier license and a whiskey connoisseur license, both of which are displayed behind the bar.

Incidentally, Mr. Takahashi loves music, so much that he composes and arranges his own songs. That is why he adopted Brazilian bossa nova as part of the bar concept, and the word “saudade” in the name in Portuguese means “nostalgia.” On rare occasions, he even plays some bossa nova on the acoustic guitar.

Whiskey You Should Try When Visiting Japan

Mr. Takahashi recommends that visitors to Japan at least sample some Japanese whiskey. There is limited distribution for bottles like the Nikka whiskey we introduced earlier, so it can be very difficult to get a hold of Japanese whiskey overseas. Unlike major popular brands, artisans painstakingly make whiskey in small factories, so you can taste the mellow, unique flavor. Above all else, you can get a great deal. A glass of whiskey starts at 1100 yen, and if you tell Mr. Takahashi you’re a tourist, he will waive the cover charge of 500 yen.

Mr. Takahashi said, “I’d like to give useful information to people who have come all the way from overseas when they pass through my bar.” In addition to operating a whiskey bar in a major tourism hub like Shinjuku, he talked about how he felt a strong obligation to show Japanese hospitality.

Here at comorebi -saudade-, Mr. Takahashi discussed the difference between Japanese whiskey makers, how to drink sake, unique aspects of Japanese bar culture, sightseeing and souvenir recommendations, and many other topics with the people at the bar. If you’re interested in Japanese whiskey, how about enjoying some music and a glass of whiskey as you listen to Mr. Takahashi’s lecture?