I wonder if there's another bar this "special" among all of the bars of Kyoto.
This bar operates from within a Zen temple.
This very bar is what I'll be introducing in this article.

The garden you overlook from the enormous counter window is breathtakingly beautiful.

The bar is located at "Kanga-an," a temple off of the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line's Kuramaguchi Station.
This ancient and honorable Zen temple has a history of around 350 years.
The current head priest founded this restaurant and bar on the temple's grounds, saying that he would do anything to "have people become familiar with the temple."

This bar is, to say the least, "secluded." The entrance to the temple gives no indication that there's a restaurant and bar further inside.

I passed through the small gates, wondering "should I really be going this way?" with a racing heart, and as I continued along the narrow path, the approach to the main hall appeared before me.

As you continue walking onward, the illuminated main hall will eventually be before you.

And so I arrived here, my target destination.
The bar, with its amazing atmosphere, is just past a discreet door on the left side of the main hall.

A carefully tended garden spreads expansively outside of the bar.
The yellow glow of the restaurant's lights creates a gorgeous atmosphere.

They have beer, Japanese sake, shochu, whiskey, brandy, wine, and other alcoholic beverages on-hand.
You can supposedly order whatever cocktails you want, but there isn't a professional bartender on staff, so it might be best to stick to drinks like beer, whiskey, and sake.

This time I ordered "Hakushu" Japanese whiskey diluted with soda water. A lightly carbonated drink makes for a perfect aperitif before dinner.

The number of guests in the bar gradually started to increase after it hit 19:00.
Some foreign tourists were also present within the new customers. I wonder if this bar is featured in some guide book.

There are only 10 seats within the bar. There's no point in staying too long.

My bill was 3500 yen for 2 whiskey sodas. (500 yen admission+1000 yen bar charge+2 drinks for 2000 yen)
I was only there for around 30 minutes, but I felt completely refreshed!

Next time I'd love to visit while the autumn leaves are turning.

I definitely recommend Kyoto's exclusive bar in "Kanga-an."