A 6-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station.
From spring through fall, Bar Kanzashi is on the third floor of a building marked by its green ivy.
Since opening in 2009, many customers have continued to visit, drawn by the seasonal fruit cocktails made by owner-bartender Ota Yuko and the comfortable atmosphere.
“I don’t want people to come here and leave still feeling lonely.”
Ota values this sentiment. She is also a certified psychological counselor and offers miniature-based sandplay therapy before the bar opens.
We visited Bar Kanzashi, where delicious drinks and a warm atmosphere await.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in June 2026. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About Bar Kanzashi
Located on the third floor of a building striking for its green ivy, Bar Kanzashi opened on June 25, 2009, and will celebrate its 17th anniversary in 2026.
Inside Bar Kanzashi
It is a relaxing space centered around counter seating.
Enjoy cocktails and food to make your evening special.
When you open the door, the first thing that catches your eye is the array of drinks lined up in a row.
There are eight counter seats and two tables.
Many customers visit on their own, each enjoying their time in their own way.
Bar Kanzashi’s signature menu items
The bar’s signature menu item is its “fresh fruit cocktails,” which it has been committed to perfecting since it first opened. Seasonal fruits are selected, and each drink is made to bring out the best in its ingredients.
Another recommendation is the “Moscow Mule with homemade ginger ale.”
It is made using a secret recipe that has remained unchanged for 17 years.
On the day of our visit, we ordered a “Watermelon Salty,” made with watermelon coming into season, and a Moscow Mule with homemade ginger ale.
Watermelon Salty, showcasing the sweetness of fresh watermelon
Watermelon Salty is based on a cocktail called a Salty Dog. It is a variation that uses watermelon instead of the grapefruit juice traditionally used.
With the first sip, you taste the saltiness on the rim of the glass. Then the sweetness of the watermelon spreads across your palate. Perhaps because you taste the salt first, the watermelon’s sweetness stands out even more.
The watermelon is freshly juiced in the bar, giving the drink a notably fresh flavor.
A confident creation for ginger lovers: a Moscow Mule with homemade ginger ale
The Moscow Mule with homemade ginger ale has a refreshing taste, with the spiciness of the ginger coming through clearly.
Made with ginger prepared in 1-kilogram batches and perfected with feedback from regular customers, it is said to be a confident creation for ginger lovers.
Tell them what flavors you like, and they can make a cocktail to suit your taste.
Non-alcoholic versions are also available, so even those who don’t drink alcohol can enjoy them.
Seafood white pizza, brought back at customers’ request
Among the food items, the “seafood white pizza” is popular.
It was temporarily taken off the menu when Ota became pregnant, but returned in April 2026.
It is generously topped with seafood, and despite the white sauce, it is not too heavy and is easy to finish in no time.
Another side: psychological counselor
Ota is certified as a General Professional Psychological Counselor by the Japan Federation of Psychology-Related Associations, and offers sandplay therapy on weekdays.
About sandplay therapy
Sandplay therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which people freely express themselves by placing miniatures—such as dolls, animals, buildings, and vehicles—in a box filled with sand.
Drawing on her experience listening to the concerns of many customers at the bar, Ota pursued further study through a psychological counselor training course. She was drawn to “sandplay therapy,” which she encountered there, and offers sessions before the bar opens.
Looking at the miniatures placed in the sand tray, Ota asks various questions about what the person was feeling when they placed them and why they chose those particular miniatures.
We interviewed Bar Kanzashi owner Ota Yuko, who supports customers both as a bartender and as a psychological counselor, about what inspired her to start the bar and the ideas behind it.
Bar Kanzashi details
| Name | Bar Kanzashi |
|---|---|
| Address | 3F Yokomizo Building, 2-11-23 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | Phone: 086-422-3960 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | ■ Monday–Friday 7:00 p.m.–midnight ■ Saturday and days before public holidays 7:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m. the following day Sandplay therapy sessions are held outside the bar’s business hours. Please visit the website for details about sandplay therapy. |
| Closed | Wednesday, Sunday |
| Payment methods |
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| Reservations | Accepted |
| Seating | 17 seats Counter seats: 8 Tables: 2 |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Bar Kanzashi |
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