nokishita711 Gin and cocktail labo

Disclaimer, we’re not tasting menu people and usually choose casual over high end, and my husband can be a bit of an apprehensive eater so he was nervous on that front. That said, we absolutely loved the entire experience. The flavors in the drinks were perfectly balanced, and it’s so impressive that the ingredients are completely pure. The bites accompanying the drinks were delicious as well. Chef Tomo performed a tea ceremony at the end that was a perfect closure to the meal. And it didn’t hurt that the two people we were sat with were from the same city as us!

Hands down, the absolutely weirdest cocktail experience I’ve ever had, and I do mean that in the BEST way possible. Nokishita is a master of culinary and beverage experience. Each dish and drink paired perfectly and exceeded our expectations! The decor was super interesting and intimate. From the unique plates, to the plants on the ceiling, everything was perfect. If you are looking for an experience unlike any you’ve had before, PLEASE visit! *not for the picky eaters, or non-adventurous. ** also for anyone saying the host is rude, he’s not, he’s just reserved. Calm down. He was extremely kind and was more than happy to chat when we pulled him aside.

This was a revelationary experience, it truly blew my mind! As chef describes, this is liquid cuisine. Don’t come here expecting a cocktail bar. The drinks are the result of meticulous and thoughtful experimentation with fermentation and pairing of wild game, fish, mushrooms, and other ingredients foraged from the local area to elicit unique and surprising flavors, many of which were completely new to me. The bites are perfectly matched companions, reflecting and complementing the drink pairing flawlessly. The plating was executed well, simple and rustic but beautiful. The atmosphere is interesting, lots to look at, good music, small and comfy. Chef performed a beautiful tea ceremony at the end of the service and talked with us for a while. My experience was on par with Michelin starred restaurants I’ve dined at. It’s a true gem in Kyoto and should not be missed by any serious foodies.

Like a few reviews on here I was mixed with my experience but overall a bit disappointed. The bar itself is very cool and has a great ambience and it only seats 4 per service which is an experience in itself - though does mean it’s a lot of time for making conversation with the people you don’t know (but hopefully they are nice like the people we met). I actually found the snacks to be the best part. Whilst not quite meal, they were very very tasty and reasonable size. However for the drinks I didn’t feel the theoretical creativeness actually enhanced the flavours and many felt like subtle variations of sake which didn’t really feature the main ingredients that strongly. So I do question the concept a little if does not either 1) create nicer drinks than classic cocktails or 2) give you a truly new experience with drinkable flavour profiles - sadly I don’t feel it did either. I wished the owner did more than just describe the ingredients. Since you can’t see him making them I really wanted to understand the process of flavour extraction which was never really mentioned. Overall I guess it’s an experience to some degree and maybe worth it, but wasn’t quite the experience I hoped for.

This is a culinary experience and you should go here with an open mind. We enjoyed each drink and snack. The setting was small and intimate, if you visit with the understanding you will talk to strangers and have your time focused on the food and drink you will enjoy it. This is not your typical bar so expect something a bit different.

Reservation only spot (via Tablecheck). ~ $60pp which was a bit on the higher side with the amount of drinks and food you get. It is very intimate as there are only 4 seats per seating. The owner was able to explain the drinks really well and had very creative thoughts going into the food and drinks. The experience was great and great for those that want to try something new. But if you looking for really good drinks at normal quantity, then a good cocktail bar might be better fit.

RESERVATIONS ONLY! One of the best bar experiences I had in Japan. Very creative drinks + snacks, the bartender is very friendly and the atmosphere is quiet and peaceful. Very cool interior and the owner is a real alchemist/mixologist, the stuff he comes up with is amazing!!! Highly recommend! I won't spoil anything as his menu varies with each season, just make a reservation and try it! I'm coming back next year 🙏🏻

Liquid cuisine is definitely the only way to describe this unique experience! With only four seats, you definitely should make a reservation (Easy through Tablecheck!). It provided a really intimate experience where we got to chat and discuss each course. The tasting is described as extractology vs. mixology - which means most of the cocktails are crafted with extractions rather than pre-made/mixed syrups or liqueurs. I can confidently say that I never thought I’d enjoy drinks made with natto or deer, but each drinks was so well balanced and unique. The small bites offered with each drink are perfect pairings and delightful. We left feeling actually pretty well fed! Highly recommend.

What an incredible experience!! Would highly recommend and I will be back! The courses are carefully thought out and paired wonderfully. The drinks aren't too sweet and I would say have a specific fermented flavor like kombucha to them. It's because the chef/bartender ferments things himself and uses koji. The place only seats four and reservation only. I ended up sitting with a really nice Australian couple who ended up knowing the coffee shop and barista where the owners friend works in Sydney. What a small world lol! The food was also great, the owner told us he used to be a chef. He was very allergy accommodating and made substitutions as needed. The owner does have a very thick accent when speaking English but he does try his best to explain everything, but that's also why you have the menu in front of you. There is a bit of time sometimes between the courses because the owner makes everything from scratch and it come out piping hot and fresh! Overall would recommend and definitely make a reservation online. People would keep trying to come in and ask if there were any cancellations or if they can be seated last minute. He only makes enough for the amount of people there and will not accommodate you if you didn't reserve. And he is also busy during service. The shop is quite small but very very inviting and cozy. The decor is otherworldly. At the end during tea service he will come and drink tea with the guests and talk. His name is Tomo by the way and he's the nicest and so talented! I can't recommend this place enough! Worth every penny.

Nokishita711 was recommended to me by one of my friends. At the time of her visit several years ago, Nokishita711 was a gin cocktail bar. Today, Nokishita711 is a reservation only bar (the place only has seats for 4 people) that offers an incredibly unique omakase experience called "Liquid Cuisine." It was one of the best things I did in Japan. I made reservations for 2:30pm on a Thursday. When my husband and I arrived at the bar, we were blown away by its interior. It was like walking into a whimsical forest. The intricacy and intention put into the design of this place was everything. Also loved the curated hip hop playlist. What's nice was that we were the only guests during that timeframe, so it was such an intimate time. I believe the name of the culinary mastermind of Nokishita711 is Ed. He was very friendly and super passionate about his craft. He explained every detail of each course. Ed creates his cocktails without sugars, mixers, branded liquors, etc. but rather uses natural fermentation methods and extractions to achieve certain flavors and alcohol content. The snacks that were paired with the cocktails were delicious as well. The last part of the omakase course was a beautiful tea ceremony with Ed.

Amazing!!!!! This experience was so unique and amazing and Ed was just incredible. This was his decor for the summer and he changes it seasonally, but I felt like I had ducked into a wizards cottage in the middle of the forest and he made us the tastiest, snacks and incredible beverages infused with flavors You could never imagine would go together. For the adventurous soul who likes to step out of their comfort zone and try something truly unique that you will not experience anywhere else.

Nokishita711 is definitely a crazy and wacky experience that is very unorthodox but offers quite an adventure. If you are in Kyoto, you must try it at least once. It's a very intimate environment with more more than four chairs and is very unassuming on the outside so make sure to pay attention if you are using things like Google Maps. Our reservation was just for my significant other and me. What I particularly enjoyed about this place is that it doesn't aim to fill you with food; instead, you get to experience strange and creative cocktails paired with small snacks. The menu changes often to allow artistic freedom. It's important to note that this is a reservation-only spot and did not accept walk-ins at the time we visited. This is also an experience, so it took quite a bit of time between courses as the drinks are made by hand. It's best to sit back and enjoy the pleasant and relaxing ambiance.

Loved this bar's vibe - great hip hop music and decor. This is a very small bar with only 4 seats so I'm glad we got there early before anyone else arrived. The drink menu is hard to read even though there is English on it. The bartender/creater speaks English so just ask him for recommendations if you're not sure. I'm not sure why others say prices aren't clear because the only clear thing on the drink menu was the price. It's 1200yen for any cocktail. It's expensive, but each drink is like art so take your time sipping on the cocktail and enjoy the music and company. Expect to wait a few minutes for your complex drinks to be made. The cocktails were VERY creative. Of the 6 cocktails we got, each one was unique, extremely beautiful, and nothing like anything we've had before. A lot of the drinks used Japanese ingredients such as yuzu, matcha, shiitake, burdock roots, ginger roots, seaweed, etc so open your curiosity and enjoy gin! Will definitely be back. My favorite cocktails were style wars and the roots.

So this place is insanely amazing. Idk how one guy does all this but he is a mad scientist with gin. Super small place with a standing area in the front and a couple seats in the back. We got about three drinks each and they were each amazing. The cocktails are super creative and beautiful in presentation. My favorite was one called scent of a woman which was kinda fruity with pear. It's pay what you wish, but we ended up going with about ¥1000 per drink.

This is a wacky place! One man behind the bar and you feel as if you walked into a tangled forest. It is tiny inside, barely enough room to squeeze by a person if they stand in front of the bar. The bartender isn't putting on a show but he makes really interesting drinks. He changes his offerings frequently and he truly is a master of his craft. While I didn't love all the drinks I had, if you can get the chocolate milk one (silly symphony) you will not be disappointed!

A must visit for those who enjoy gin and cocktails. They have a interesting selection of cocktails and Japanese gin. In addition they are trying a new experiment of giving the customer the choice to choose how much to pay (we ended up deciding to pay 1000 yen/drink). My favorite was the silly symphony which includes mushrooms and chocolate which on paper sounded that it would be more savory but it actually is on the sweeter side but with an earthy taste. I highly recommend! My friend ordered soil and "pimp" which was served with actual soil. We at first thought it was chocolate but nope my friend said it was soil! They actually create the drink and pour in a plastic bag and tie it to the straw and then put dirt around the plastic bag with some herbs to make it look like a pot. So yea, don't eat the soil! It's Non edible! I also tried the all evil which contains lavender gin, egg white, lemon juice, and black sambuca. It's very pretty to look at it but it tasted way too floral and licorice like. Lavender could also be too overpowering and can taste like soap. We also ordered the style wars which includes yogurt and beans water and cacao beans which also tasted good. Fly me to the moon has a strong ginseng taste so if you don't like herbal tonics or Chinese medicinal taste then I would not recommend. The presentation of each cocktail was intricate and you could tell the bartenders had such passion for each drink. Definitely would come back if I ever come back to Kyoto. It's a very small space. Would not recommend for groups greater than 4. Barely fits 12-15 people.

Tiny. I counted four seats, though there's room for maybe 15 people to stand. Unique, pay-what-you-wish gin-focused cocktail lab. I had only two drinks: one, a very nicely done standard gin-ginger sorta deal. The other (called Style Wars) was... unlike any other cocktail I've ever had. Quite good, somehow mixing in yogurt and spice and tasting like chocolate milk. Utterly baffling. Would have again. :) Great service too--the bartender overheard me ask Siri what song was playing. Siri was stumped. A moment later, a slipped note comes my way with the name.

Funky TEENY TINY gin bar in Kyoto with drinks that pack a punch. 4-5 seats max Got the "laundry and tonic", while the hubby got the "soil and pump sessions." Worth even penny. Gotta love the old school rap

This place is truly one of a kind. It's one of my favorite bars in Kyoto - run by one amazing man! It becomes a tourist mecca most nights so if you don't want to be caught in between Silicon Valley douches complaining about their hand crafted drinks are taking too long (seriously....), don't go on Saturdays. He only asks for $10 per drink but I usually give a little more. Cash only so come prepared. Definitely try "Style Wars" and "Silly Symphony." If you're feeling adventurous, go for the Fungus Negroni. All the cocktails are gin based and one of a kind.

Adorable quiet bar in the sendocho area. Tomo is a friendly owner who's love for cocktails and creative approach shows. We tried all the seasonal cocktails as well as the m&m (mushroom and plum infused). We loved them all and was definitely pleasantly surprised with the m&m! Definitely try this unique concoction! So happy we stumbled upon this place. Tomo is a super friendly bartender/owner who knew some English and was able to give us some Kyoto advice. Thanks for the delicious drinks and savory appetizers! Hoping to make it back again soon!

Are you kidding me with this place? Incredible gin selection, super creative cocktails, and a seriously-cool-without-trying-hard-to-be-cool vibe. It's a tight squeeze in here, so showing up right before opening is your best bet. My partner has some of the trippy cocktails (SUPER creative!) and I mostly enjoyed some G&Ts - picking out my gins from the huge selection, and getting some recs from the owner/bartender. We met people from all over the world while we enjoyed our drinks, and really enjoyed the lively conversation, crazy decor, and well-curated hip hop music. I'd love to return and would highly recommend this spot to anyone visiting Kyoto. Step inside and prepare to be transported to another world!

So very amazing. A tiny place, gets crowded quickly, but a labor of love with delicious, inventive drinks. "Pay what you want after enjoying cocktail." I paid pretty well. He deserved it.

If you are a gin lover, this is your place! This tiny spot carries a lot of specialty gins and tonics and has an exceptional cocktail list (in English and Japanese). They pack a lot of charm into a small space. The staff are nice and cocktails not overly pricey given the complexity - 800-1000 yen per drink. There are only 4 seats but room for 6 others to stand. We went on a Sunday night at 7pm and had the place to ourselves, but I imagine later on weekends it could be quite crowded.

We were lucky to happen upon this quality establishment. Everything about this gin bar is creative and unique. From the decor to the drinks, I am confident there is not another bar like this anywhere. Owner operated, it is obvious he takes so much pride. ABSOLUTELY worth seeking out. The drinks are spectacular and so much care goes each one he makes. I wish I could take this place back to Hawaii with me.

This was the coolest bar I've ever been to but also the most unique and awesome bar in Kyoto! Heads up it's very small but worth the wait! Fits from 14 people max only seats 4 so the rest is standing room. They have local guns from the USA but also some Japanese Gins which are cool to try too! Their menu is from a Japanese book that they printed over. It's pretty modern and different! They have a pretty nice selection of adventurous cocktails, all hand crafted. Don't come in a hurry, from the time we ordered to the time we received a drink was about 20 minutes. It is worth the wait and was so detailed. They boiled my sake in a skillet before adding the ingredient to the cocktail. I had the 'all evil' and my husband had the 'dancer in the dark'. They were completely different and we both loved ours. Coolest part about the place was they didn't have prices, just pay what you think is fair! Never heard of that at any other place before! If you're in Kyoto enter this place into maps and it's an easy walk to find!

Me and this place go a while back... a really long while, by my Japan's life standards. I discovered it maybe 8 months ago, and since then I maybe have been here 15 times or more. "Best gin bar in Kyoto". That's how I introduce it to my friends and guests of the hotel I work at. And it really is! And, here is a turn for you, I actually hate gin. And yet in this place I am a regular. So... why? It's beautiful. The instagrammable kind of beauty which makes you wanna take a really cool picture and post it for everybody to see. It's tiny. It can get packed, but it's part of its charm. If it doesn't - you enjoy the god damn piece and quiet. The owner and main bartender is definitely a character. Not much English on his side, but he is friendly, that's for sure, and knows about gin all one person possibly can and could. Many of Japanese locals and bartenders complain that he is a bit of an antisocial type, but honestly, I don't care. I think he is wonderfully quirky, just like his place, and although it takes a long time to warm up his heart - worth it for sure. Because drinks! The drinks change. They are beautiful, wonderful, and intensely original. Personal recommendation, try old fashioned here. It's maybe the best one I ever had and it's made with gin! The shock, the horror. Basically, it's my place. I was and will keep coming again and again. It's my back alley special quirky spot there I always feel at peace. Hope you end up enjoying it as much as I do.

AMAZING cocktails!!! The drinks are delicious and strong!!! The bartender (maybe owner too) is very nice and personable. 素晴らしいカクテル!!!飲み物は美味しくて強く!!!バーテンダー（たぶんオーナーも）はとても素敵で個性的です。

Hip, creative, friendly, and great cocktails! A must go in Kyoto. Had 3 drinks and loved them all.

Never thought a Gin bar would be such an amazing experience! Drinks were very uniquely crafted and full of strong, packed flavors! Lime light was our favorite! Bar tender was very personable as well :)

Great gin cocktails. Super inventive. Bar tender was friendly and spoke English and menus were in English.

This is an excellent find. I happened upon it by accident and returned the next night. The proprietor is super welcoming and truly loves gin. The drink menu is very creative and he will happily create something new based on your tastes, if you ask. There are about 6 seats and room for another 5 or so to stand in this tiny bar where the decor is as creative as the cocktail menu. A must visit for any gin lover or anyone looking for a new late night experience in Kyoto.