About Mika Tanimoto — Owner-Bartender
My name is Mika Tanimoto. I am the founder and owner-bartender of Bar Little Happiness, a whisky and rum specialty bar in Hiroshima, Japan. I established this bar in 2006, and for nearly 20 years, I have dedicated myself to sharing the world of rare spirits with guests from Japan and around the world.
Before opening the bar, I barely drank alcohol at all. The moment I discovered a whisky that truly moved me changed everything. That personal journey — from someone who “couldn’t drink” to a specialist with over 1,000 bottles — is the heart of what Bar Little Happiness is about. I believe that somewhere in the world of whisky and rum, there is a bottle waiting to change your life too.
Bar Little Happiness — At a Glance
Bar Little Happiness (リトルハピネス) is a whisky and rum specialty bar located in Hiroshima’s Nagarekawa entertainment district. Founded in 2006 by Mika Tanimoto, the bar has grown into one of Japan’s most distinctive independent bars, known for its extraordinary selection of rare Japanese and international spirits.
- Founded: 2006 (nearly 20 years in operation)
- Location: Nagarekawacho 5-14 1F, Rolling Nagarekawa, Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730-0028
- Specialty: Japanese whisky, world whisky, and artisanal rum
- Bottle count: 1,000+ rare and premium bottles
- Menu languages: Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese, and more (8 languages)
- Cover charge: None
Expertise & Specialisation
Over nearly two decades, I have built deep expertise in Japanese and world whisky, as well as artisanal rum. My approach is grounded in first-hand experience: I personally visit distilleries around the world to meet the makers, understand their craft, and bring those stories back to the bar.
Distilleries I have visited include Kavalan (Taiwan), Chichibu (Japan), Saburomaru (Japan), Kameda (Japan), Sakurao (Hiroshima), LAODI (Laos), and many others across Scotland, Japan, and Asia. These visits allow me to offer not just a drink, but a genuine story behind every bottle.
The Bottle Collection
The bar’s back bar holds over 1,000 bottles, spanning rare Japanese single malts, vintage Scotch, Taiwanese whisky, and craft rums from across Asia and the Caribbean. Featured producers include:
- Japanese Whisky: Yamazaki, Hakushu, Hibiki (Suntory), Yoichi, Miyagikyo (Nikka), Shizuoka Gaiaflow, Kanosuke, Saburomaru, Kameda, Sakurao (Hiroshima), Chichibu (Ichiro’s Malt), and many independent bottlings
- World Whisky: Kavalan (Taiwan), and an extensive selection of Scotch single malts from across Scotland’s whisky regions
- Rum: Japanese craft rum, and rums from around the world — Caribbean, Latin America, Asia, and beyond
Media Features & Recognition
Bar Little Happiness and Mika Tanimoto have been featured in numerous Japanese and international media outlets, travel guides, and whisky publications. The bar is regularly recommended to visitors to Hiroshima as a must-visit destination for spirit enthusiasts and curious travellers alike.
A Bar for Everyone
One of the things I am most proud of is that Bar Little Happiness is genuinely welcoming to all guests — whether you are a seasoned whisky collector or someone who has never tried whisky before. We have an English-language menu with prices and descriptions, and I am happy to guide you through the selection in English.
There is no cover charge. Simply walk in, take a seat at the counter, and let’s find the spirit that speaks to you.
Visit Us
Bar Little Happiness
Nagarekawacho 5-14 1F, Rolling Nagarekawa
Naka-ku, Hiroshima 730-0028, Japan
Tel: +81-82-247-5779
Instagram: @littlehappiness7
For opening hours and reservations, please check our homepage or contact us via official LINE.