The scattering of stylish restaurants around town may be one of Kurashiki’s hidden charms.
In fact, Kurashiki offers more than just scenery that has endured since the Edo period: you can also enjoy some grown-up time, savoring cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere.
And among the alleyways of Kurashiki, one spot that particularly stands out is the dining bar Dan Y Dwa.
The owner of Dan Y Dwa is bartender Tomohiro Matsushita, who has won awards at domestic cocktail competitions.
We asked Matsushita about what makes Dan Y Dwa, one of Kurashiki’s leading dining bars, so appealing.
The information presented here was current when this article was published in February 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is dining bar Dan Y Dwa?
The dining bar Dan Y Dwa makes a striking impression with its relaxed atmosphere, glimpsed through the windows from the street.
Perhaps you’ve found yourself glancing over at the atmosphere inside as you passed by.
Here, we’ll introduce the drinks you can enjoy at the intriguing Dan Y Dwa.
Dan Y Dwa’s concept
Dan Y Dwa is a dining bar located about a five-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station.
The relaxed interior offers not only counter seating like that found in an authentic bar, but also tables where groups can enjoy drinks and food together.
The bar offers a wide selection of cocktails, whiskies, and wines, and one of Dan Y Dwa’s distinctive features is that you’re sure to find a drink to suit your taste.
It also offers a wide range of dishes, from snacks such as cheese and prosciutto to main courses like pasta and paella, as well as desserts.
It’s a place you can visit whether you want just a little to drink or want to gather around a table and have a meal with friends.
Introducing owner Tomohiro Matsushita
Dan Y Dwa’s owner, Tomohiro Matsushita, is a bartender who has won awards at domestic cocktail competitions.
At the 15th Awamori Cocktail Competition, hosted by the Okinawa Branch of the Japan Bartenders Association in 2008, he received the Minister’s Award—the equivalent of the Grand Prix—from Fumio Kishida, then Minister of State for Okinawa and Northern Territories Affairs.
He reportedly proposed a cocktail that adapted awamori’s distinctive flavor into something approachable.
Then, in 2016, he won the top prize at the country’s premier cocktail competition, the Suntory The Cocktail Award.
His winning creation, Cactus Flower, is a cocktail that seems to recreate in a glass a tropical flower in full, vivid bloom.
Drinks at Dan Y Dwa
At Dan Y Dwa, you can enjoy signature cocktails created by Matsushita.
“Signature” means distinctive and worthy of having one’s name attached to it.
The signature cocktail menu is changed irregularly as the seasons change, so you’re sure to discover a new flavor each time you visit.
Of course, you can also try Cactus Flower, the award-winning cocktail.
Being able to savor cocktails made by Japan’s top bartender is surely Dan Y Dwa’s greatest appeal.
As a new initiative, the bar has also introduced a machine developed by the British equipment manufacturer Flavour Blaster.
It adds a unique touch to cocktails by placing a bubble filled with aromatic smoke on top.
Along with distinctive signature cocktails, the bar also offers classic cocktails, whisky, and wine, so you’re sure to find a drink to suit your taste.
We tried ordering at Dan Y Dwa
We enjoyed a few drinks and dishes at Dan Y Dwa.
Here are some of Dan Y Dwa’s signature menu items.
Smoked nuts
Before introducing the drinks and dishes on the menu, we have to mention the complimentary smoked nuts.
They’re a quiet favorite among Dan Y Dwa’s regulars.
They are reportedly smoked with cherry wood chips and seasoned with herb salt for flavor and aroma.
The distinctive aroma of smoked nuts enhances both the taste of your drink and the stylish atmosphere.
Cactus Flower
We ordered Cactus Flower, which won the top prize at the 2016 Suntory The Cocktail Award.
Made with tequila, it has a robust alcoholic flavor, followed by a refreshing citrus taste that spreads across your palate.
When you visit Dan Y Dwa, be sure to savor Japan’s best cocktail.
Raclette cheese with warm vegetables and thick-cut bacon
One of Dan Y Dwa’s signature dishes is raclette cheese from Hanabatake Farm in Tokachi.
The melted raclette cheese is poured over warm vegetables right in front of you, so you can enjoy the dish with your eyes as well as your taste buds.
Other dishes served with raclette cheese included coarsely ground sausages, thick-cut bacon, and Italian meatballs, in addition to warm vegetables.
They all pair wonderfully with the cheese, making it hard to choose what to order.
Seafood paella
A classic Spanish dish, paella, with rice infused with the flavors of various shellfish, shrimp, and other seafood, served sizzling on an iron plate.
The distinctive aroma of the seafood whetted our appetites.
The restaurant also serves paella made with seasonal ingredients, so you can enjoy a variety of flavors.
Another appealing feature of Dan Y Dwa is its ongoing effort to keep customers interested through its food.
As we enjoyed cocktails and food at Dan Y Dwa, we began to understand why the place is always bustling.
Through an interview with owner Tomohiro Matsushita, we’ll take a closer look at why Dan Y Dwa is so popular.
Dan Y Dwa Information
| Name | Dan Y Dwa |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-2-28 Tsurugata, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-421-3270 |
| Parking | None |
| Hours | Monday–Thursday: 6:00 p.m.–midnight Friday and Saturday: 6:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m. the following day |
| Closed | Sunday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted |
| Seating | 6 counter seats 6 tables, 24 seats |
| Smoking | Non-smoking (smoking permitted only in designated areas) |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Dan Y Dwa (Instagram) |
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