01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
At Kokoya in Nishishinyashiki Kaminomachi, Shimogyo Ward, dining departs from standard ordering. Instead of choosing from a set menu, guests discuss their preferences with the owner to assemble the evening's meal from whatever ingredients are on hand in the kitchen. Dishes are cooked to order and handed straight across the counter, yielding crisp karaage fried chicken and Kyoto-style small bites shaped through spontaneous conversation.
The beverage options are just as wide-ranging, spanning draft beer and shandygaffs alongside boiler-style drinks fortified with whiskey. Diners can enjoy local Tamanohikari sake served by the single-cup go measure, or sip shochu varieties such as Nikaido, Kuro Kirishima, Lento, and Tantakatan on the rocks or with soda. The bar also pours rough-pureed ume plum and pomegranate chuhai, specialty bakudan highballs offered in new and classic styles, and an expansive list of cocktails.
Arranged primarily around a counter, the intimate space holds roughly 6 seats, keeping guests close to the hosts in a calm and casual setting. Kokoya is closed on Mondays and opens Tuesday through Sunday from 19:00 until 1:30 the following morning, making it an appealing stop for eating and drinking into the small hours.
