Wine Bar BLESS — Restaurant in Nikko

Accidentally stumbled upon this place and had a great experience. I am not a fan of wine, but decided to come here as it was one of the only few places open. Just as you enter, you see a huge miniature train set, beautifully decorated surrounded by a table and high chairs for seating. The owner does not speak much English but is eager to communicate and is extremely passionate about the place. There are three main themes here - Wine, Trains, and Cats.

Wine - The places offers a highly curated set of wines to order from, all of which are Japanese. The owner has personally visited each of these vineyards before committing to serving the wine here. I ordered an Orange wine, as it was the first time I had heard of it, and the owner showed me photos of Nikko and the vineyard that made the wine.

Trains - There is a beautiful miniature train set just in front of the table. The attention to detail is amazing, and the owner swaps the trees in the set depending on the season.

Cats - The owner loves cats and the logo is designed after one of his cats. Miniature cat themed articles are also present all over the cafe. There is also a wall where customers submit photos of their cats.

I highly recommend this place. Even if you are not a fan of wine, you will enjoy this unique experience and the passion with which this...

We stopped by after dinner planning to grab a quick drink but ended up having one of the best wine experiences of our entire trip. Ogawa-san was so inviting, kind, and courteous. If you're looking for unique, funky, and Japan-only wines, this place is one of 10 in all of Japan to visit, and the only one featuring a full model train set that Ogawa-san built himself. We tried 2 super different wines, followed by a third that is from a new winery. Throughout the tasting, Ogawa-san conversed with us patiently using Google translate and told us the story of the bar and how he meticulously sources all his wines from passionate and small batch Japanese wine makers (pic attached). His hopes are to bring the passion he and his colleagues share for domestic natural wines to visitors and fellow Japanese wine enthusiasts. Price was super reasonable for the ambiance, experience, and wine considering how expensive and time consuming it is to source and get these wines. If you are in the area and want a very special wine experience, make sure you stop by...

An unforgettable experience. This wine bar is more than just a place to drink, it’s a showcase of passion, precision, and a deep love for Japanese wine. The owner’s dedication is extraordinary! He personally visits vineyards across the country, hand-selecting bottles that tell a story. His thoughtful curation brings out the best of Japan’s wine regions, offering a unique and refined experience that you won’t find anywhere else.

Every detail of the venue has been meticulously designed from the ambiance to the glassware creating an atmosphere that’s both intimate and inspiring. As a foreigner, I deeply appreciated the warm hospitality and the engaging conversation, even when it flowed through Google Translate. It’s clear that this place is run by someone who isn’t just selling wine, he’s shaping the future of the Japanese wine industry.

Highly, highly recommend to anyone interested in wine, Japanese culture, or simply looking for a memorable night out. This place is...