Akatsuki no Kura is a sake-focused bar that is sure to be a big hit with fans of Japan’s national beverage. Brewing paraphernalia and detailed production illustrations line the hallway that leads into the spacious bar. You immediately sense you are in for a treat. The beautifully designed interior seamlessly blends the traditional with the modern. Classic American rock and pop is delivered from the sound system adding beautifully to the mood without ever feeling intrusive.
The bar has a novel concept in service. Sake bottles line one wall in two rows; the top showcasing the regular selections while the bottom consists of a rotation of featured sake. Choose from the roughly 50 sake varieties by bringing one of the half-sized masu (square, wooden sake cups) that accompany the bottles to the service counter to receive your pour. They are conveniently color coded according to price (¥290~¥590). A sign indicates the top 3 sake of the month for anyone that wants assistance choosing.
The washoku food choices, served in a tapas style, are designed to pair with sake. The menu ranges from sashimi and oysters to tofu and meat skewers (most are in the ¥300~¥1000 range). The bar has an adjacent restaurant called SAKE-TOTTARI, which offers attractively presented, Japanese-style cuisine and courses (¥4500~) for groups looking for a more substantial meal to accompany drinks.
The non-smoking atmosphere of the bar allows you to fully enjoy the aromatics of your sake. SAKE-TOTTARI provides a separate section for smokers. There is standing room for 60~70 people, making it an ideal stop for after-work drinks with coworkers or friends. The bar, which opened in November of 2017, is located just across from Takashimaya at Yokohama Station.