To travel the long distance from Hiroshima to Niigata, one needs a powerful “incident.” For me, that incident was a shocking encounter at a whisky event.
In the midst of the craft distillery boom in Japan, I must admit that Kameda Distillery was not initially on my radar. However, the moment I took a sip of their spirit, I was left speechless.
“What is this… such a beautiful whisky!”
In that instant, I felt a vibration unlike anything else—a completely different vector of perfection born in the industrial heart of Niigata. I immediately searched for them online, only to realize that the person pouring the glass right in front of me was the President himself. Without hesitation, I negotiated a visit on the spot. It was a moment of “Hitsuzen” (Inevitability).
When I visited the distillery, nestled in an industrial area near Niigata Station, President Tokida shared a story that was surprisingly pure.
His love for whisky dates back to his student days when he first visited Yoichi Distillery in Hokkaido. He traveled there countless times, charmed by the warmth of the “service” from the ladies at the shop and the timeless flavor of Super Nikka. But what turned him from a lover of whisky into a producer?
It was a single, bold sentence from his wife.
As a former pharmaceutical MR, he lamented that his favorite “Taketsuru 17-year-old” was becoming out of reach due to global demand. His wife simply replied: “Well, why don’t you just make it yourself?”
As a “Japanese Whisky Expert” who once could barely drink alcohol, I deeply resonate with such fateful moments. Life is changed by a single glass and a single word. At Bar Little Happiness in Hiroshima, I want to share this “beautiful” spirit of Kameda with you, carrying the pure passion of President Tokida across the distance.
↓Deep Dive into the Story: For those who wish to explore the full, detailed history and my personal reflections on this distillery, please visit our original column here (Japanese): (You can use the language switcher at the top of our site to translate the page into your preferred language.)↓
出逢いは必然。Rum&Whiskyの世界へようこそ。 (An encounter is inevitable. Welcome to the world of Rum & Whisky.)
Guest Information
• Multilingual Menu: Available in 8 languages
• Payment: All major credit cards accepted
• Cover Charge: No cover charge
• Atmosphere: Quiet / No smoking (Electronic cigarettes allowed) / Solo & Small groups welcome
Visit Us in Hiroshima
We welcome guests from all over the world with our 8-language menu and a massive collection of over 1,000 whiskies.
Explore our vast range of Japanese labels, featuring an unrivaled selection of local Hiroshima craft whiskies, alongside an extensive array of fine Scotches.
No matter where you are from, your “destined glass” is waiting.
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(Dive deep into the world of whisky and rum. This site can be translated into English or Korean using the language switcher tab at the top of the page.)
