Three Bars, One Story | Tasting Japan’s Liquid Culture

What do I really look for when I step into a bar? Sure, I want a delicious drink. But more than that, I’m after something that lingers – a spark of creativity, an atmosphere that stirs something, or even a moment of connection that I’ll remember long after the last sip. I chase bars that do more than serve great cocktails – they tell a story.

Japanese bar culture is often spoken of in hushed, reverent tones – and for good reason. It’s steeped in tradition, quiet precision, and an almost spiritual devotion to craft. But as a visitor, it can feel like stepping into a parallel world. Even after reading books or watching documentaries, the actual experience is something else entirely. And while guest shifts and exchange programmes can offer a glimpse, they barely scratch the surface.

Tokyo itself reflects this duality—ancient and ultra-modern, ritualistic and ever-evolving. Its bar scene captures this beautifully. You’ll find smoky, timeworn whisky dens that haven’t changed in decades alongside gleaming cocktail labs tucked into the city’s high-rise skyline. Both have their charms.

But on this trip, I was searching for something more local—not necessarily in geography, but in spirit. I wanted to discover bars that embraced Japan’s native ingredients: sake, shochu, and especially tea. Not simply served alongside cocktails, but reimagined through them. Because in Japan, if it can be steeped or brewed, someone is likely finding a way to pour it into a glass.

A Closer Look at the Mixology Group

One name kept surfacing in my research: Shuzo Nagumo. He’s the creative force behind the Mixology Group, a collection of bars that are as distinct from each other as they are from anything else in Tokyo. What unites them is a reverence for Japanese ingredients, an embrace of innovation, and a deep respect for craft. Nagumo’s bars don’t follow trends—they set them. From cacao experiments to tea-based pairings and botanical blends, each bar explores a singular concept in depth. On this trip, I visited three: Folklore, Mixology Salon, and Mixology Heritage.

Folklore – A Modern Ode to Japan’s Native Spirits

You might miss Folklore if you don’t know where to look. It’s tucked beneath the old railway arches of Hibiya OKUROJI, a stylish yet subdued street that feels like a well-kept secret between the buzz of Tokyo Station and the elegance of Ginza.

Inside, the city slips away. The space is minimalist, serene—designed by Fumihiko Sano Studio using reclaimed temple wood from Nagano and Yamagata. The bar, which seats around eight, feels like a modern shrine to flavour. There’s no spectacle. Just intention.

Folklore reimagines Japan’s native spirits—sake, shochu, and awamori—through the lens of modern mixology. These drinks aren’t side notes—they take centre stage.

The name “Folklore” evokes not just traditional stories but the inheritance of customs, beliefs, and techniques. This ethos drives the bar’s mission: to define what a Japanese cocktail truly means. At Folklore, it’s about terroir, cultural memory, and craft.

I opted for the Omakase Shochu Cocktail Course, paired with delicate bites. One standout was the Smoky Bonito: sesame shochu, Islay whisky, pineapple, citrus, and miso powder. Salty, smoky, tropical, like solving a flavour puzzle. Another was Beauty & Snow, built around Yuki no Bijin sake, chamomile, apricot, mint cream washed coffee, and white port. Paired with iburi-gakko (a smoky pickled radish from Akita), it was subtle, earthy, and unforgettable. I also sampled two shochus neat—one rice-based, one made from sugarcane juice. The latter was crisp, clean, and strikingly similar to a fine rhum agricole.

During my visit, I ended up chatting with a bartender from Mixology Heritage, who was there on his night off. We talked about spirits, technique, and bars in Tokyo. It was one of those unexpected moments—the kind that makes my bar adventures so rewarding. A shared love for craftsmanship, a spontaneous exchange, and a sense of connection that lingers longer than the cocktails.

Final Sip: If you’re in Tokyo and love thoughtful cocktails, don’t skip Folklore. It’s quiet, soulful, and intensely personal—just like the drinks they serve. Come for the shochu, stay for the conversation, and leave with a story worth sharing.

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Mixology Salon – When Tea Becomes the Main Event

Next was Mixology Salon, perched on the 13th floor of Ginza Six—one of Tokyo’s most elegant shopping complexes. But instead of flash and dazzle, I found quiet sophistication. Just six seats and one table. A clean wooden counter. Artful restraint. No rows of bottles on display, just a clean wooden counter and walls decorated with subtle art. It feels more like a tea room than a bar – and that’s the point.

This bar specialises in “Tea-tails” – cocktails based on carefully sourced Japanese teas such as gyokuro, hojicha, matcha, and sencha. The team honours 800 years of Japanese tea culture, blending tradition with modernity.

I tried the Gyokuro Course:

• First Drop Tea (served warm at 40°C): Rich, creamy, almost umami-laden.
• Gyokuro Tea-tail: A complex mix of gyokuro, Islay Scotch, and Canadian ice wine—earthy, smoky, sweet.
• Hot Gyokuro with Edible Leaves: Served at 90°C with seasoned tea leaves—soft, buttery, and paired with house-infused gyokuro vodka.

I also tried the monthly special, the Genmai Tea-tail, made with a blend of genmaicha from Uji and Kagoshima. The cocktail was earthy and toasted from the roasted rice, balanced with nutty and herbal notes from Frangelico, Benedictine, and Amontillado Sherry. The long matcha finish lingered gently, like the last light of day. This wasn’t just a tasting—it was a quiet ritual. Everything, from the temperature of the tea to the precise measuring of each ingredient, was handled with care. All drinks are served in the same wine glasses to support the flavour experience.

Mixology Salon describes itself as a “salon” for good reason: it’s not just a bar, but a space for refinement and expression. Each cocktail feels like a quiet dialogue—between nature and technique, past and present.

The Global Teatail Trend in 2025 – A Personal Perspective on Tradition, Innovation, and Wellness

As a cocktail enthusiast (and writer), I’ve always been fascinated by the ever-evolving landscape of mixology. In 2025, one trend that has truly captured my imagination—and my taste buds—is the rise of teatails. This isn’t just a fleeting fad; it’s part of a broader movement towards wellness, sustainability, and cultural fusion that is reshaping the way we think about cocktails.

Tea, with its rich heritage and endless versatility, is stepping into the spotlight, offering a sophisticated and health-conscious alternative to traditional spirits-based creations.

What excites me most about teatails is their ability to bridge the gap between tradition and innovation. Tea has always been a beverage steeped in culture and ritual, yet in the hands of skilled bartenders, it transforms into something entirely new. From cold brew infusions to sparkling tea cocktails, the possibilities are as varied as the tea leaves themselves. Whether it’s the earthy depth of matcha, the floral elegance of jasmine, or the tart vibrancy of hibiscus, tea-based cocktails cater to a wide range of palates and preferences. This trend isn’t confined to one corner of the globe; it’s truly international. During my travels, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting establishments that are leading the charge in this teatail revolution. In Tokyo, Mixology Salon left me in awe with its meticulous approach to tea-infused cocktails, blending the precision of Japanese tea traditions with cutting-edge mixology techniques. In Sydney, Bar Sumi and Kahii Bar surprised and delighted me with their innovative concepts, showcasing the versatility of tea in crafting memorable drinking experiences. These bars don’t just serve cocktails; they curate moments—thoughtful, indulgent, and utterly delightful.

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Mixology Heritage – Classic Cocktails, Reimagined

After the innovation of Folklore and the intimacy of Mixology Salon, my final stop on this cocktail pilgrimage was Mixology Heritage. It brought something more familiar—but no less captivating. Think polished wood, clean lines, and a back bar that quietly dares you to try everything. A smart, contemporary homage to the golden age of cocktails.

Tucked beneath the atmospheric arches of Hibiya OKUROJI, in Tokyo’s Akasaka business district, this bar feels calm, focused, and completely unhurried. You could pass by without noticing it – but once inside, you feel like you’ve stepped into a place where time slows down. No theatrics, no fuss. Just quiet confidence.

This is the only bar in Shuzo Nagumo’s Mixology Group dedicated purely to Classic Cocktails, and it shows. At the helm is Manabu Ito, a master of restraint and precision. Here, every choice—ice shape, stirring speed, the curve of a coupe – is deliberate. Drinks aren’t just served; they’re engineered with respect for the past and a thoughtful eye toward the future.

Heritage’s roots go deep. It began over two decades ago with a fascination for “old bottles”—spirits aged in glass for more than 20 years. Time mellows the alcohol, softening edges, adding velvet texture and complexity. But once a bottle is gone, it’s gone. To sustain that unique flavour, Ito now blends these vintage spirits with modern ones—capturing the soul of the past while crafting something new.

From the menu, I had to try the Mt. Fuji Hommage. A cocktail first created in 1924 at the Imperial Hotel to commemorate the Great Kanto Earthquake. It features gin, maraschino, lemon, pineapple, cream, and egg white. The frothy white top mimics Mt. Fuji’s snow-capped peak, while a single cherry evokes the rising sun. Sweet, creamy, gently dry – it’s a beautiful nod to Japan’s cocktail heritage. The original drink was crafted by bartender Noriaki Oosaka, and it still echoes that quiet dignity. Then came Bloom & Breeze – a seasonal special. Gin Mare, Kanade Sakura, verjus, tonic, and dill spray. It’s like spring in a glass. Floral, herbal, lightly citric, with a subtle tang from the verjus and a hint of the Mediterranean carried on the gin. Gentle, modern, and emotionally tuned – one of those rare cocktails that speaks in a whisper.

Mixology Heritage isn’t just a bar—it’s a living archive. It celebrates the foundations of classic cocktails while pushing them forward with elegance and purpose.

What makes Mixology Heritage stand out isn’t flash – it’s depth. It feels less like a bar, more like a cultural project. A living archive. The team isn’t just making drinks; they’re preserving a language of flavour, texture, and ritual. They’re refining it and handing it forward. Ask about their “old bottle programme” – a deep dive into pre-WWII spirit profiles. It’s not on the main menu, but it’s worth inquiring about if you’re curious and looking for something special.

Together, Folklore, Mixology Salon, and Mixology Heritage represent three distinct aspects of Tokyo’s cocktail renaissance – storytelling, innovation, and timeless craft. And at the centre of it all is a quiet kind of hospitality that makes you feel not just welcomed, but seen. If you ever find yourself in Tokyo, find this place. Sit at the bar. Ask a question. Sip with curiosity.

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One Last Sip

Each of these bars – Folklore, Mixology Salon, and Mixology Heritage – offered something unique. A journey through tradition, experimentation, and quiet luxury. But what tied them all together wasn’t just Shuzo Nagumo’s creative vision. It was a kind of gentle hospitality that’s hard to describe but easy to feel. Even as a guest from far away, I never felt out of place. I felt invited. And in the end, that’s what I look for when I travel and taste: drinks that make me pause, places that make me think, and people who make me smile.

A Note to My Readers

Everything I write here is based on my own visits, conversations, and impressions. No one asked me to write these reviews. This is just my personal journey through bars. I hope this inspires you to seek out your own adventures, ask questions, try something unexpected, and above all, sip with curiosity.

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Mixology Group Bars:

• Memento Mori (Toranomon) – @mementomori_toranomon
• Mixology Akasaka – @mixology_akasaka
• Folklore (Okuroji) – @folklore_okuroji
• Mixology Heritage – @mixologyheritage
• Mixology Salon (Ginza Six) – @mixology_salon
• Mixology Salon Singapore – @mixologysalonsg

Founder: Shuzo Nagumo – @shuzonagumo