After all the working, hiking, cycling, visiting shrines, and eating dinner is done, there is no reason for the fun to stop! Kotohira might not offer the vibrant nightlife that cities like Osaka or Tokyo can boast of, but that doesn’t mean you have to go to bed early, either. Read on below for four places where you can go once the daytime fun is done.
Donzo Brewing
Kotohira has its very own craft beer brewery, and it certainly is worth a visit! Besides a tasty home-brewed selection, Donzo Brewing also has a few rotating guest beers on tap. While you should definitely try the craft beers, most people will stay for the food menu, featuring crowd pleasers such as homemade pizza, fish and chips, and popular Japanese snacks such as Edamame and pickled vegetables. But no visit to Donzo is complete without trying their signature Karaage fried chicken!
The proud owner also runs several stores near the brewery, including a stylish tea house and bagel shop across the street. Donzo Brewing is open from 6 PM to 10 PM on Thursday, Friday and Monday, from noon to 10 PM on Saturday, and noon to 8 PM on Sunday (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
If there is one place that will surprise you, it will be this cosy speakeasy hidden in plain sight along Kotohira’s covered shopping street. Look for a storefront without windows and a single, wooden door… Don’t Tell Mama isn’t just a stylish place to enjoy a quality drink, it’s a true Valhalla for whisky fans, featuring over a hundred rare single malt whiskies from all over the world. This is a true hidden gem where connoisseurs will have a hard time leaving!
Don’t Tell Mama is open Monday to Friday from 7 PM to 1 AM, and on Saturday and Sunday from 3 PM to 1 AM (closed on Wednesdays).
Who’s up for some karaoke? For an authentic night out, head over to Märchen and experience what this place is all about. Look for the entrance tucked away in an alley to find this ‘snack bar’ (the Japanese equivalent to a dive bar), where the mama-san behind the bar keeps the drinks flowing while you line up song after song on their karaoke system. Try singing along with the regular guests to Japanese classics, or impress everyone with your best Sinatra impressions!
For those looking to start the party right, they offer a two-hour long all-you-can-drink option. Märchen is open from 7 PM daily (except Sundays and Mondays) and is open until the person tending the bar decides it’s time to go home!
This bar, right near the 7-Eleven store, is another great place to grab a microphone and sing the late hours away. The friendly staff might even request a few English songs from you! They also have a good selection of local sake and Japanese whiskeys. The dart board completes the small-bar-vibe, and their food menu makes sure you won’t need to worry about singing on an empty stomach, either.
Whiskey Bar 729 is open daily, from 5 PM to 2 AM (from 11 AM on Friday to Sunday).
About the author
Roel is a travel writer and storyteller who has an allergy to all-inclusive resorts and a passion for wild places. He specializes in promoting off-the-beaten-path destinations and outdoor activities.