There's a Scottish pub in north Kyoto named antighseinnse (a.k.a. Horie's Bar). The name (pronounced "an ti shayn jay" I think) is Gaelic and means simply "Inn". The owner Toshiyuki Horie named it after a favored pub on the isle of Islay in Scotland and still proudly wears a T-shirt celebrating "The best pub in Portnahaven". Horie-san, a self-described whisky otaku or … [Read more...] about antighseinnse
Pubs
Sheep’s
Sheep's Public Cafe is a place I have been meaning to check out for a while. I kept seeing it as I cycled home from work and thinking to myself "Sheep's. Why Sheep's?" The signboard outside says "Fish & Chips", "Guinness" and looking at the exterior I imagined just another foreign style pub. Once inside though I was impressed by how bright and cheerful it is. The owners … [Read more...] about Sheep’s
Gnome
Gnome opened in October 2007, which (at the time of writing) makes it the newest Irish pub in town. It's also my favorite. I like the cosy, home-like atmosphere and I might be just imagining things but I think the Guinness tastes best here too. Yuko, the owner is a friendly, chatty, charming lady of many talents; musical, culinary and professional. She already had her own … [Read more...] about Gnome
Field – The Oldest Irish Pub in Kyoto
Field is the oldest Irish pub in Kyoto having opened in the year 2000. Previously the owner, Suzaki Kazuhiko, ran a cafe and gallery here and Irish music was just a hobby for him. "At that time, I had no idea there was such a thing as an Irish pub," he told me. But on learning that such places existed he decided to open up his own. It was a bold step in the dark for him and one … [Read more...] about Field – The Oldest Irish Pub in Kyoto
