Sake bar “be Rock” is located along the Ooka River just across from the popular nightlife district of Noge. You won’t miss the sake bottles placed out to welcome visitors. This spacious bar has a modern design with a raised ceiling and high tables. The all-glass front facing the riverside is especially impressive.
Owner Mana Tanaka developed a passion for sake and decided to return to school to study brewing science. She frequently visits sake breweries all over Japan in order to decide which products should be on her menu. In her mind, direct communication with the brewers allows her to make the best choices. She tells us, “I change the line-up often to correspond to the season, so the sake is ichi-go ichi-e” which means a once in a lifetime encounter. The price of a glass (¥500~¥1000) varies based on the grade and also the length of time it has been aged. Be Rock has a good amount of koshu (aged sake). There is also a menu specifically for sake served at room temperature. All sake is offered in specially selected glassware that highlights its strong points and Tanaka goes out of her way to make sure each pairs well with the enticing foods she offers.
“Ohisama Himono” (sun-dried fish, 1/2 sardine ¥750, single shrimp ¥500, 1/2 mackerel ¥950) is made specially for the bar by Atami City’s himono master, Yoshitaka Fujima. Choose between bunka-boshi (dried with salt) or mirin-boshi (dried with sweet sake). The thick cuts should satisfy your hunger. “Shizue’s Karamiso” (chili miso topped with your choice of cabbage or cream cheese, ¥600) originates from a visit Tanaka made to an acquaintance’s house in Yamagata. She liked it so much, she had to put it on her menu.
In addition to six seats at the bar, there are three tables for three or four. The bar is non-smoking allowing all to enjoy the aroma of the sake. Take in the seasonal sites through the window while having your “once in a lifetime” sake experience.