Enter a "different world" with a mysterious spatial design at the unique late-night bar Denakin in Kawaramachi, Takamatsu City.

Takamatsu City, the capital of Kagawa Prefecture and the second-largest city in Shikoku by population, is home to numerous restaurants in its central areas of Kataharamachi and Kawaramachi, and the bustle continues late into the night. While high-quality restaurants serving Kagawa specialties like Sanuki udon, chicken on the bone, and seafood from the Seto Inland Sea are popular, unique bars also brighten up Takamatsu's nightlife after those establishments close.

① Nakazora (Photos 1-6)
Nakazora (Half Sky) -
This mysterious-sounding and literally meaningless name is said to have originated from a Buddhist term.
The middle path of unbiasedness. A chance for people to transcend distractions and return to their true selves. My interpretation of the mysterious impression I experienced at Nakazora is that this is brought about by a "place" that is neither home nor work.
The restaurant is located on the second floor of a building just down an alley from the Kawaramachi shopping district. Walking down an alleyway with the bustling Marugamemachi behind you, just across the street, you come across a modest landmark carved out of a building pillar. As you slowly make your way upstairs, the scent of incense gradually mixes with the dark, crisp air, creating a sense of tension and excitement as you enter an extraordinary place. Tentatively opening the door, you're greeted by a wall lined with books. There are said to be over 1,000 books, and the overall sense of weightiness, along with the shadows and expressions of each book lit by the faint light, seem to reflect the people's affection for books.
Hankuu is known for its "coffee, books, and music" and "coffee & bar" themes.
The founder pursued the creation of a space that combined his three deepest loves, achieving a beautiful harmony between hand-dripped coffee, a vast yet carefully selected collection of books, and music. The bar's appeal is also unique. The menu features eye-catching original cocktails named after world-renowned literary figures, such as "Hemingway's Mojito" and "Itami Juzo's Gin and Buck." These cocktails are served at the counter, and upon tasting, you'll find yourself reaching for the corresponding work from a nearby bookshelf. Those who become immersed in the bar's unique worldview and literary charm often apply for the bar's "Hanku Literary Award," becoming pioneers of new cultural influences in Takamatsu.
Access: Approximately a 4-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station
Sample Menu: Hanku Blend Coffee (¥800), Itami Juzo's Gin and Buck (¥1,300), Hemingway's Mojito (¥1,500)

② BAR Tabi-shiki (Photos 7-10)
Few bars have left such a strong impression in terms of their spatial concept.
First, the exterior. Standing tall along a main street near Kawaramachi, its solid door towers approximately 6 meters, making it the tallest bar in the world. Inside, a straight staircase leads to a door that opens to the right, revealing a space reminiscent of a medieval European castle. Not to mention the antique tables and chairs, the bar counter is lined with shelves on one wall... and they're reminiscent of a medicine chest, exuding a mysterious air that's enough to send shivers down your spine. Working backwards from the concept, the bar's appeal lies in pairing its carefully curated food selection, made with European cheeses, with cocktails and wine. However, if you want to experience something even more distinctive, absinthe is a must. This liqueur originates in Switzerland and is made from medicinal herbs, including wormwood. Its unique aroma is hard to forget once you've smelled it, and it's said that its production was banned in Europe due to its highly addictive nature. This bar stocks a wide variety of absinthe, which is rare even in Japan, and you can enjoy it diluted with water and sugar in a slow drip-like manner. As I went to the restroom to sober up from the absinthe, I was greeted by a Japanese-style small garden. The interior, reminiscent of a tea room, featured a water basin and a stone mill, and I realized that the concept of the space had completely changed. This "Japanese" corner contained a series of private rooms suitable for a few people or couples, each offering a view of the garden from inside. After paying the bill, I stepped out into Kawaramachi again and looked back at the door, and it was as if the scene I had been in and seen up until then was a lie. I was left with a strange feeling, as if I had truly entered a "different world". Access: About a 5-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station
Menu example: No prices listed (probably around ¥1,500 per drink)

*Some of the photos in this post were borrowed from a friend

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