The Bar — Restaurant in Nikko

I've been coming to Japan on and off for about 20 years now, and this was probably my worst experience with service in those 20 years. Basically, the way that the meal was served left me waiting for my main for about 25 minutes after my partner finished his.

My partner and I ordered cheese and wine, a burger, and the katsu sando. The cheese came first with water--we had planned on having the wine and cheese at the same time, so waited for the wine to be served, which was around 5-10 minutes after the cheese was served. Almost immediately after the wine came, my partner's main came (the wagyu burger). We waited a little while to see if the katsu sando would come, but then we decided to start eating before the burger got cold. None of the staff came to check on whether the food was being served correctly, and it wasn't until we were about to leave did they say the katsu sando was about to be served (25 minutes after the first main was eaten and about 45 minutes after the order was placed).

Not sure what was going on here, the restaurant was mostly empty when we were there, and other guests arrived, ate, and left while we were waiting.

A bit...

日光の静けさと優雅さに包まれながら、大人の時間を過ごしてきました🍸 今回訪れたのは、リッツ・カールトン日光にある「THE BAR」🥃✨

ここ、まるで秘密の書斎のような落ち着いた空間。 扉をくぐった瞬間、ふわっと香る木の香りと、しっとりと流れるジャズのBGM。 「これぞ、大人の隠れ家」と、心がふわっとほどけました。

ずらりと並んだボトルの中には、日本が誇るウイスキーたちがずらり！ 山崎、白州、イチローズモルト…そして、あの『響』まで！🍶🇯🇵 その中から、今回は「響」のハイボールをオーダー。

一口飲んで…思わず「うまっ」と声が出ました（小声で） 華やかでまろやかな香りに、キレのある炭酸。 「ただのハイボール」と思ってはいけません。 これはもう、芸術。もはや「飲む和のオーケストラ」🎼✨

スタッフさんの所作もまた美しく、 氷を入れる音すら演出の一部。 丁寧にグラスを磨く姿に、こだわりとプロ意識が感じられます。

静かな時間の中で、少しずつウイスキーが喉を通っていく心地よさ。 会話も自然と落ち着いたトーンになり、 日常から少し離れた時間にひたれます🌙

「THE BAR」は、ただ飲む場所ではなく、五感で味わう場所。 記念日でも、一人で静かに過ごす夜でも、 「特別な一杯」がきっと見つかります😊

次は違う銘柄も試してみたい…ウイスキー好きにはたまらない場所です！

Wrapped in the calm elegance of Nikko, I had the pleasure of visiting “THE BAR” inside The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko 🍸

Stepping inside felt like entering a private study — quiet, refined, and richly scented with wood. Jazz played softly in the background, setting the tone for a perfect evening.

Behind the counter stood a lineup of Japan’s finest whiskies: Yamazaki, Hakushu, Ichiro’s Malt… and yes, even Hibiki! 🇯🇵 I chose the Hibiki highball this time, and let me say — it was nothing short of sensational.

With just one sip, I whispered to myself, “Wow.” The floral aroma, the balanced depth, and the sparkling sharpness of the soda water made it not just a drink, but an orchestral experience 🎼

The bartender’s grace and attention to detail made it feel like a performance. Even the clink of the ice had elegance. Every movement was deliberate, refined, and deeply professional.

Savoring the whisky slowly, I felt my pace and thoughts slow down. This was more than a drink — it was an escape from the rush of everyday life 🌙

Whether you’re celebrating something special or simply enjoying a solo retreat, “THE BAR” offers a space to unwind, reflect, and taste something extraordinary.

Next time, I’ll try a different label. If you’re a whisky lover, this place is a must-visit!

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中禅寺湖のほとり、自然と調和するように佇む ザ・リッツ・カールトン...