After enjoying soba and sake in Ningyocho, I felt like having a few more drinks and decided to visit "BAR Sakasendo." The location is on the basement floor of a building near the intersection of Ginza Sambashi Street and Miyuki Street. Upon entering, I found a cozy bar with only 8 counter seats, where the master was running the place solo. There were already three groups of customers, so I took a seat at the far end. The extensive collection of bottles at the back bar indicated that this was a serious bar, but there were also bottles of sake and unfamiliar whiskies on the counter, along with a variety of food options. The atmosphere was a bit laid back. I tried the Shizuoka single malt "United S" first edition, which was placed right in front of me on the counter. It was a new discovery for me, even though I visit Shizuoka for work every month. This whisky is produced at a distillery in Shizuoka City that started whisky production in 2016. It's a blend of malt spirits distilled using both steam-heated and direct-fire stills, creating a well-balanced drink. I also tried the Sakuraao Single Cask whisky from Hiroshima, which I had never tasted before. Limited to 219 bottles, it's aged in sherry casks, offering a young and slightly rough flavor that is still refreshing and delicious. I decided to pair these with some dishes like beef tripe stew and the "Nokomai Special Junmai Sake" from Saga, which the master recommended. The master, who I learned was from Saga, made the experience even more enjoyable. I also tried the popular oden (Japanese hot pot) with a selection of ingredients like boiled eggs, thick fried tofu, and beef tendons, paired with a Gin Rickey cocktail made with Bombay Sapphire's premium gin called "Star of Bombay." Since it was a bar, I couldn't miss out on ordering a Martini made with Beefeater gin, which was visually appealing and of course, delicious. The owner had worked at a nearby bar for a long time before opening this establishment, and I could tell from the conversation that he might have come from the renowned bar "Opa." The Martini's exceptional taste confirmed this assumption. Lastly, I asked the master to surprise me with another drink, and he served me a "Jack Rose" cocktail made with apple brandy, lime juice, and grenadine syrup. It was a perfect choice to end the night with a balanced sweetness and freshness, leaving a lingering aftertaste. This bar had a wide range of drinks and food, making it a fantastic place to visit. I look forward to returning and hearing more stories from the master. The bill came to around 13,000 yen. Thank you for the wonderful experience!

I visited during the Bon holidays on a weekday. Ginza was quite crowded during the day, but it wasn't as busy in the evening, and the surrounding restaurants had a slow start atmosphere. Going down the stairs to the basement, there was a door with a "members only" plate. I read in other reviews that if it's not busy, you can enter, so I decided to give it a try. Luckily, there were seats available and I was welcomed. Lucky me. There was a wide variety of drinks, so I told them what I wanted and left it to them. It had a very calm atmosphere, the prices weren't too high, and it was a very good restaurant. I didn't have any food as I had eaten before visiting, but according to regulars, the food is also quite good. I would like to visit again aiming for an early time. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

It was a very calm atmosphere at the bar. I had a gin and tonic and a mint julep, both of which were delicious. I also had ratatouille, okra pickles, and chili beans. The portions were just right, and they were tasty snacks that went well with drinks. I think it's a good bar.

I got off the Tohoku Shinkansen and headed straight from Ueno to Ginza line. Yesterday was the 22nd anniversary, so I visited Saksendo for the first time. To cool down my sweaty body, I started with a gin and tonic for the evening breeze. Ah, what a refreshing drink. After reviving with the gin and tonic and air conditioning, I became intrigued by the whiskey bottles in the store. For my second drink, I spotted an Ardberg I had never seen before on the counter. I learned it was a limited edition model from 2023 called "Heavy Weber" just released this year. I like how Ardberg has names that sound hyper or heavy, but this one surprisingly had a relatively familiar smoky flavor without too much of a kick. For my third drink, I browsed the bottlers on the shelf and ordered a Liquid Sun with a label of a wall painting, which turned out to be a 9-year-old Caol Ila (2006-2015). I was told it was the owner's favorite. Indeed, it had a good aroma and a fruity taste, making it a great choice. Three drinks later, I was perfectly satisfied.

Taste: Delicious Portion size: Average Memorable dish: Gin and Tonic Menu: Average Atmosphere: Good Value for money: Average Crowdedness: Average Service: Average Would revisit: If there is an opportunity They have a wide variety of gins. The Pink Pepper Gin and Tonic has a subtle pepper aroma, enhancing the flavor of the gin and making it delicious.

It was the most satisfying bar I've been to recently. I went early, so it was my first time, but they let me in. I had a gin and tonic and could feel the attention to detail. It's my favorite gin and tonic, and I definitely want to visit again.

After finishing dinner and feeling like having a little more to drink, I searched for a nearby bar. Surprisingly, the door of the shop had the words "members only." I decided to give it a try and called, and they said it was okay to come in now. As soon as I entered, I found a quiet atmosphere with soft music playing, a serene world away from the hustle and bustle of Ginza. The hostess, a woman dining alone, mentioned that they prioritize regular customers, hence the membership system. I ordered Suntory Yamazaki on the rocks, which had a smooth taste and was indeed delicious. My wife ordered a fruit cocktail, and what arrived was a Passion Fruit Champagne cocktail. She mentioned it was delightful with the vibrant aroma of passion fruit mixed with the refreshing taste of champagne. I was intrigued by the Premium Gin and Tonic, so I ordered one. The gin used was Silent Pool Gin, a brand I had never seen before. There are many gin brands worldwide, including "craft gins" that focus on small-batch production, regional characteristics, and uniqueness. Silent Pool Gin seems to fall into this category. Its distinct aroma was quite intriguing. My wife then ordered another cocktail with her favorite ingredient, Cointreau. When she returned from the restroom, the owner engaged in a conversation with her, perhaps noticing she was alone and making sure she was having a good time. We had a pleasant evening. Thank you for the wonderful experience.

This restaurant is located about a 4-minute walk from Higashi-Ginza Station. Although it says it's a members-only establishment at the entrance, they allow first-time visitors to enter. The drink menu was extensive, and so was the food menu. The Daikiri Highball, Nikujaga (meat and potato stew), and Oshinko (pickled vegetables) were all home-cooked style dishes that were comforting and delicious. The drinks were also reliably tasty. Among the bars in Ginza, this place is quite comfortable to spend time in. I would like to revisit if I have the chance.

I am traveling around the country in search of truly delicious food. I love everything from fine dining to casual cuisine. [Area] Ginza area, Tokyo [Genre] Bar [Awards] Tabelog Bar Top 100 2022 [Number of visits] First visit [Crowdedness] I went in without a reservation and it was not crowded. [One-word comment] It was my first time, but the staff were friendly and made me feel at ease while drinking. Thank you for the meal.

I was a bit hesitant to enter a bar in the heart of Ginza by myself, but I joined my companion who wanted more drinks. I usually drink highballs, but this time I tried the premium gin and tonic that caught my attention. It had a great aroma and a smooth taste! Thank you for the delicious meal.

I visited Tokyo and Kanagawa for a trip supported by the national travel campaign in 2023. My focus was on food and sightseeing, and I wanted to visit as many top-rated restaurants as possible, including those awarded by Tabelog and the Top 100 list. Here is a summary of my trip: Tabelog Gold: 1, Top 100 Sushi Tokyo: 1, Top 100 Bread Tokyo: 1, Top 100 Sweets Tokyo: 2, Top 100 Cafes: 1, Top 100 Hamburgers: 1, Top 100 Asian/Ethnic: 1, Top 100 Bars: 1. Visit Date: March 2023, Time: Bar time. Tabelog Rating at the time of visit: 3.71. Status: Tabelog Bar Top 100 2022. I had two glasses of Yoichi 10-year Highball. Impressions: It was time to visit the Top 100 bar in Ginza. The first stop was this place located on the basement floor. Despite the heavy-looking door, it is open to even solo first-time visitors, although it is a members-only establishment. The Yoichi 10-year Highball in a delicate glass was incredibly delicious. With utmost respect for every ingredient encountered, it was a delightful experience.

The interior of the restaurant is filled with a delicious aroma, perhaps from preparing tomorrow's "nikujaga" dish. The food menu looks very attractive! Although it's a bar, the counter is lined with bottles of gin. Starting with a gin and tonic, I was delighted to find the discontinued STAR of Bombay here! The food menu is also very appealing, so I ordered the motsu stew. Enjoying motsu stew while sipping a martini was simply wonderful. Despite being in Ginza, the restaurant is filled with the aroma of nikujaga, creating a lovely atmosphere.

I visited "BAR Sakasendo," located in Ginza, a town lined with famous brand stores. Congratulations on being selected as one of the top 100 bars on Tabelog in 2022. The access is about a 3-minute walk from Higashi-Ginza Station, which is served by the Toei Asakusa Line and Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. The bar is located on the B1 floor of the Nishiki Kobo Building, facing Ginza Sambon-dori, a side street behind the Kabuki-za theater from the main street. Going down the stairs and entering through the entrance with a hidden room, you will find a bar with only a beautiful wooden counter seat. Many bottles are displayed in the back yard of the counter. Today, I had a cocktail made with kumquats. This cocktail uses kumquats, which are rich in vitamin C and are said to be effective in preventing colds. It is a refreshing and easy-to-drink cocktail with a moderate acidity. I spent a relaxing time as time passed by. Thank you for the meal.

A bar located in a mixed-use building on the B1F in Higashi Ginza. I tried to visit about a week ago, but they were closed... It seems the master was sick. This time, I made a phone reservation just in case. The master's phone manner was polite. I entered at 16:45. There were 3 groups of 4 customers already there. The straight counter has 8 seats, and the elderly master is handling everything alone. The aisle is narrow when customers are seated, making it difficult to pass through. I thought it would be a whiskey-focused authentic bar, but they also offer sake and simmered dishes, so it might be more of a traditional bar. From previous reviews, it seems they also serve "oden". I had 1. Havana Martini and 2. Daiquiri. Impressions: 1. Bacardi 8-based. Maybe because it's a one-man show, the stirring seemed a bit rushed... Taste was okay. 2. Standard shaking technique? The garnish was dried. Had 2 drinks for around 3,500 yen, which is reasonable for a bar in Ginza.

【2022 Bar Top 100】Located in Ginza 6-chome, the authentic bar "Sakushindo" is run by Mr. Hiwatari, who trained under Mr. Kenji Otsubo of the renowned Ginza bar "Bar Opa" for about 5 years. At the age of 32, he opened his own bar. Mr. Otsubo, who passed away at the age of 47, once told him during his apprenticeship, "If you ever walk around Ginza smoking a cigarette, you'll be fired immediately. Consider all of Ginza as your workplace." This advice still resonates with Mr. Hiwatari. With only 8 counter seats, the bar attracts many regular male customers, making up about 80% of the clientele. Mr. Hiwatari aims to maintain a pleasant atmosphere and prefers to turn away groups of 4 or more and intoxicated customers. We enjoyed two Gin & Tonics: the first with Star of Bombay gin, which will be discontinued in February 2023, offering a refreshing taste, and the second with Pink Pepper gin, leaving a floral aroma after each sip. Both were served in a highball glass with lime juice, tonic water, soda water, and a hint of gin, creating a delightful fragrance. The Fever-Tree tonic water, with half the sugar content of Schweppes, further enhanced the refreshing taste. Though just Gin & Tonics, each was unique, allowing us to savor different styles. The total bill was ¥3160 (including a 15% service charge).

This is a bar that I have been indebted to for a long time, as I used to work nearby. I have met the owner, Hiwatashi-san, a few times when I visited Ginza OPA. I never expected them to become a top 100 bar, but I can see why they are. Hiwatashi-san is very particular about everything, which I always admire, but he also has a soft and friendly side, which is a nice contrast. He's handsome too. If Ginza bartenders were to have a sports day, I would definitely bet on Hiwatashi-san. The door has a membership sticker, so it may seem exclusive, but there is no actual membership card needed. On this day, I had a few Negronis and highballs. In the winter, they serve delicious oden, I hear. A wonderful bar that feels like a secret hideaway in Ginza.

BAR Saksendo Bar 2022 Top 100 Award-winning store. It is an authentic bar that opened in June 2001 in Ginza, Tokyo. Located a 3-minute walk from Higashi-Ginza Station, it is a hidden gem on the basement floor of a building. The master trained under Kenji Otsubo of the famous Ginza bar "BAR Opa" before opening this establishment. With only 8 seats at the counter, it offers a compact space with over 100 types of malt whiskey. A casual bar where you can easily stop by before or after dining in Ginza, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing time even if you are alone. Thank you very much. It was a treat. Items ordered: Gin and Tonic, Highball: Hibiki

This restaurant is one I wanted to try once, as it's near my usual place. I entered 30 minutes before closing and had just one drink, a delicious gin and tonic. There were many intriguing gin bottles at the counter. They close at 11:00 PM. The quiet master creates a pleasant atmosphere, with a comfortable distance and not a noisy bar vibe. I'd like to visit alone again next time. The back bar has an interesting selection, but be careful not to drink too much as the stairs are steep.

Instagram (bottan222)ーーーーーーーーーーーー2022/03 Today we had yakiniku in Ginza. But before that, let's have a drink here. It's been two years since we last visited due to the pandemic. We went down the stairs to the basement floor and as we entered the restaurant, despite it being two years, the owner greeted us with a smile. It was heartwarming. My wife and I had arranged to meet at this restaurant. We sat at the counter seats and first made a toast with a double highball of Suntory Hakushu. After about 15 minutes, my wife arrived and ordered a gin and tonic. We made another toast. Since we still had about 30 minutes until our meal time, I decided to have a double highball of Suntory Yamazaki. When I finished my drink and checked the time, it was 5 minutes before our reservation time. Perfect timing. We asked for the bill and headed to the yakiniku restaurant. Thank you for the meal. We will visit again.

I heard that they serve oden in winter and I wanted to try a cocktail, so I visited around the time when a state of emergency was about to be declared. The cocktail I wanted to try was a Tom Collins. The recipe includes gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda. The process of filling it with soda after shaking made me wonder, "Isn't that a Gin Fizz?" But then I learned about Old Tom Gin, a type of gin from the 18th century that is sweetened and has been revived in the craft gin boom. I ordered a Tom Collins made with Old Tom Gin and it had a round, delicious taste. It was a delightful experience to uncover the mystery of the Tom Collins and enjoy oden and highballs at a bar in Ginza.

I visited Sakushindo to report on my visit to the bar I heard about here. I ordered a ◆ Boston Cooler ◆ Half of Martinique rum ◆ Sidecar, the second sip is delicious cocktail... My impression remains the same, and I couldn't help but smile. After finishing my first drink, I wondered what to order for my second drink... I pointed to a bottle on the back bar and asked, "What is that?" I like to drink whatever I come across at the moment, as I don't come with a specific drink in mind. This time, I encountered an agricole rum from Martinique called "Traveler's Tree." It has a very delicious aroma similar to Armagnac, typical of French rum. Spending a happy bar time with the swirling scent was quite a good encounter. Oh, by the way, I would like to report on the winter oden that Myrebi-sama, whom I admire, told me about in the previous review. This season, it will be available from December 14th to February. Oden at a Ginza bar! It's a bit exciting, isn't it? While it seems like there could be many such events in places like Koenji or Shinjuku Golden Gai, it's in Ginza, so it's different. It seems that during the period, they will also serve sake, so you can enjoy a highball, switch to sake, and finish with a short cocktail while snacking on oden. To savor that mismatched feeling, I will have to visit a few more times this winter. As someone who explores dozens of new bars each year and, of course, frequents favorite bars, a bar that gives you reasons to go is truly appreciated. Having seasonal menu items like oden is strong, but another reason to visit is when they introduce you to other bars. If the bar they recommended is good, you will want to revisit to talk about what was good about that bar. It's somewhat similar to sharing your thoughts on a book someone lent you. In that sense, I felt that the owner of this bar here has a good grasp of the subtle nuances of a drinker's heart... that's what I thought.