Drinking Shochu with Kotaro

Posted on April 26, 2007 by Desmond Campbell

Three small cups sit in a little tray on the bar in front of me. Each of them is filled with a taster of a different brand of shochu, a Japanese alcohol. Drinking it is an experience which, like wine, is best described as an art. Taking my time, I sip from the first cup, letting the smell and flavor permeate my senses. It’s excellent. It should be. Certified shochu advisor Kotaro Yamamoto picked it for me.

Chef and owner of Kotaro’s (which is the name of the bar and the owner), Kotaro fell in love with shochu at the age of 25. “It’s really pure. The process of making it cleans out all the impurities. Unlike beer, shochu’s not bad for your health. That really got me interested.” He had been working as a restaurant chef for 15 years when he finally opened his own bar after passing the certification process to become an official shochu advisor.

Kotaro’s has 70 to 80 different types of shochu to choose from, the most expensive of which is 1000 Yen a glass. Customers can try a taster of any three for 600 Yen. With Kotaro there to advise you, you’re sure to find one you like.

The bar itself is small and intimate, with only one staff and Kotaro himself operating the business. On the average night, expect to share the space with anywhere from two to eight other customers. It’s a very friendly atmosphere. Kotaro hopes that, “When people eat here, they will eat, drink, and relax. I want this to be a place to make good memories that people can take home with them.”

It’s not just the drinks that makes Kotaro’s a good place to kick back and relax. From sashimiFresh, raw seafood sliced into bite-sized pieces and served with soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger. to tempuraDeep fried seafood and vegetables that have been dipped in batter made from water, flour, and eggs. , the large menu of Japanese food is mouthwateringly delicious. So whether you’re interested in dabbling in the Japanese drinking culture or just want some good food, Kotaro’s is the place to be.

Directions: Just three minutes walk from Kamoi station on the YokohamaJapan's second largest city and the capital of Kanagawa prefecture. line, open hours are from 5:00 pm to 12:00 am everyday. From the exit, go down the stairs on your left which is the opposite direction of Lalaport. At the main road in front of the station, take a left. Once you pass Daiei, you will see a Gusto’s on your right. On the same side of the street as Gusto’s, walk about thirty seconds further, Kotaro’s is next to a barber shop.