The shop we’re introducing this time is Bar 山谷, located in the Honwaka Shopping Street near JR Koshienguchi Station!
It’s about a 5-minute walk from JR Koshienguchi Station.
Bar 山谷
★Hours 19；00～1：00 the next day
★Closed Irregular holidays
★Phone 0798-64-2800
★Address 3-21-5 Koshienguchi, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, M Road Koshienguchi 1F
★Parking None
★Related Link
Facebook
(*Prices, menu items, hours, and other details are as of the time of our visit. Please contact the shop directly for the latest information.)
Show Us the Shop!
Excuse us, Bar 山谷!
On one corner of Honwaka Shopping Street,
there’s a calm wooden door.
Open it up, and…
you’ll find a sophisticated space unified in black and brown!
The warm lighting is neither too bright nor too dim.
The interior has a relaxed, composed atmosphere.
There are also two table seats.
It’s an easygoing place to stop by whether you’re alone, with a date, or out drinking with a group.
And these glasses of all different shapes inside the counter belong to customers.
At many places, regular customers usually keep a bottle at the bar, but at Bar 山谷,
the system is to keep your own glass there instead of a bottle.
Isn’t this clarity amazing?!
Mr. Yamatani, who runs Bar 山谷, is particular about everything:
the glasses customers drink from,
the way the liquor bottles are arranged behind the counter,
the counter board, the chairs, the tables, and more.
He puts real passion and care into every single thing inside the bar!
For example, there’s an indentation where the red arrow is pointing.
That indentation is for resting your elbow.
It comes from his wish for customers to relax with their elbows on the counter
while enjoying their drinks, rather than leaning back in their chairs.
This single-slab counter is made from bubinga wood from Africa.
It’s highly durable, has beautiful grain, and a solid, stately look, making it highly valued for decorative use!
It’s mainly used for art furniture and the bodies of Japanese taiko drums.
There’s also a large painting displayed on the wall.
You can gaze at the painting while chatting with Mr. Yamatani, or simply enjoy some quiet time alone.
Other than the painting, what’s displayed on the wall is…
part of the menu.
Bar 山谷 doesn’t originally have a printed menu.
Instead, they make an effort to clearly list average prices on the board.
And on the liquor board,
you’ll find special whiskies, recommendations of the moment,
and rare whiskies listed.
There are also whiskies you can only drink here,
so be sure to give them a try at Bar 山谷!
And the biggest appeal of the food menu!
Mr. Yamatani, who runs Bar 山谷,
apparently goes out for lunch at local restaurants about three times a week.
The delicious dishes he discovers there
are then served as food items at Bar 山谷.
However, the portions are small.
That’s because he wants customers to enjoy a variety of foods together with their drinks.
If customers try the food and find it delicious,
he believes they’ll go visit the restaurant that made the dish.
And this is a Baccarat pitcher with a phoenix design.
The crystal shine together with the lighting inside the bar.
It’s beautiful, isn’t it?
Mr. Yamatani made us a Dewar’s highball!
This Dewar’s White Label
is a Scotch whisky beloved by bartenders.
A deep, rich flavor right after you drink it.
Then a refreshing finish afterward.
Meat dishes, fish dishes, snacks,
Dewar’s highballs go well with anything!
Mr. Yamatani is meticulous about everything,
including the temperature of the drinks and even the way he measures by eye.
And
fresh fruit cocktails made with fresh fruit are another highlight of Bar 山谷!
Please experience the drinks Mr. Yamatani makes,
and the interior he has poured his passion into,
with your whole heart and body!
And this book called “Nishinomiya Gourmet Masters”!
Released on January 1 in a limited run of 3,000 copies,
it features five local restaurant owners
introducing 39 “can’t-go-wrong” restaurants in Nishinomiya.
Mr. Yamatani is one of those five contributors.
“Nishinomiya Gourmet Masters” is now on sale at Book First!
The official website for Nishinomiya Gourmet Masters is here.
A Short Message from Bar 山谷 Bartender Mr. Yamatani
Bar 山谷 bartender, Kuniharu Yamatani♪
It’s been about 10 years since he opened Bar 山谷.
Because he loves Nishinomiya, Koshienguchi, and the local community, he spends his days working hard for the area.
As a bartender, of course he has knowledge and skill with alcohol,
but the warmth of Mr. Yamatani’s personality also fills the entire space of Bar 山谷.
Now, here’s a short message from Mr. Yamatani!
at our prized single-slab bubinga counter, served in Baccarat and Kagami Crystal glasses!
Mr. Yamatani studied on his own, even sacrificing sleep,
and even now he lives with discipline every day as he works to energize Nishinomiya.
“It’s important for all kinds of shops to coexist and prosper together.”
That’s what Mr. Yamatani says.
Because it’s local, supporting one another and working together with all kinds of people is important.
Mr. Yamatani, thank you very much!
Mr. Yamatani also helped us with a “Miya-gao” as a Nishinomiya resident!
Please take a look at that as well.
Where Is It?
The address is 3-21-5 Koshienguchi, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, M Road Koshienguchi 1F.
It’s about a 5-minute walk from JR Koshienguchi Station.
As for how to get there…
Exit the south ticket gate of JR Koshienguchi Station and turn right.
STARBUCKS COFFEE（Starbucks Co
feels a bit like having a home away from home.
It’s so special!