Choose Your Omakase
VIEW FULL DETAILSUltimate Access to the Old, the Rare, and the Lost "Ghost" Distilleries of Japan
2 hr
300 US dollarsSummer Sale
VIEW FULL DETAILSThe Collector's Vault: Taste Old & Rare Japanese Whisky -AND- the Modern Wave of New Distilleries
2 hr
175 US dollarsSummer Sale
VIEW FULL DETAILSYour Intro to 100% Japan Whisky & History: Learn Why 'Made in Japan' vs 'Distilled in Japan' Matters
2 hr
90 US dollarsSummer Sale
You're invited!
YOUR HOST
Previously as a designer working for TripAdvisor, I helped people travel the world smarter and safer. Now, I've spent the last decade establishing myself as a whisky and spirits insider in Japan. My experience ranges from running a speakeasy and curating a 5,000-bottle collection to blending and bottling my own whisky expressions. I'm looking forward to sharing with you authentic 100% distilled in Japan whiskies and spirits.
THE EXPERIENCE
I specialize in luxury Omakase tastings—a "chef's choice" approach to whisky. I invite you to dive into my personal vault for an epic journey that goes far beyond the average bar menu at a price point only a collector can provide. Whether you are looking to understand the basics or hunt for rare flavors, I provide a hands-on, educational, and unforgettable tasting experience tailored specifically to you.
FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM
![September dates announced! I'm returning for one more month in Chigasaki!
The bar is sponsored by Kiyokawa - so there will be 3 amazing "FARM TO GLASS" cocktails on the menu! I've been to the farm, I've seen the distillery, and I absolutely love the Gin & Tonic in a glass - which I've humbly named "Japan's BEST Gin & Tonic". Try it for one coin!! That's $3 in American money and only 500 yen in Japan.
WAIT! WHAT? Here's the info:
Alligator Char has popped up a new Whisky & Cocktail bar in Chigasaki -- just an 8-minute walk from Chigasaki Station.
My bar will have a 500-yen "one coin" selection of whisky AND cocktails, and of course, super expensive old and rare whisky from Karuizawa to Hanyu and hard-to-find favorites like Chichibu, Yamazaki, and age statements and proofs that will make your head spin.
Cocktails are all made from 100% farm-grown ingredients produced into the best "farm-to-glass" distillate Japan has to offer: Clear River Vodka, Mountain Gin, and 100% Nagano Malt & Grain Whisky!
The Alligator Char pop-up is sponsored by Kiyokawa Distillery and our lovely co-hosts at The Park, a brand-new venue for exploring and discovering Chigasaki and the greater Shonan region.
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At Alligator Char, I open the vault to share bottles you won't find on standard menus. Experience the true history of Japanese whisky, from the rare and old to modern malts across Japan.
Set inside several legendary bars during their off hours in Tokyo.
To book your Tokyo tasting, please message directly
🔗 Link in bio to book on Airbnb, Klook, and TripAdvisor
➡ or book Directly on my site [ alligatorchar.com ]
#Whisky #JapaneseWhisky #PopUpBar #JapanTours #Chigasaki](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/789236955_17939844174349278_6176826478454675592_n.webp?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=110&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=PXM_ESVkxXEQ7kNvwGsytPq&_nc_oc=Ado90ol2IlaPUvbBKuuJUrw5hJXjhbRp0KCsHUNPd3uo5m8C9Tovu5kUEVUJbUJ7DW4&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ocGKC6K-rcncW6Gg2cCgMA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQKx3hoiCVGUopisdZR-QuQrokjsXhL4hnAfpDfd6IBGF35mq90W_6uUdFGnjC5fqyDXvRN2qxHP&oh=00_AQK1ci8Cll2wh2NFKnSAHVf6UhTcEPsBtnf4Epm0eTfrfQ&oe=6A9B944D)
![The latest bottle I'm bringing to my omakase whisky line-up and bar in Chigasaki is an epic bourbon by @mugenspirit - 'YOKAI ONI' a 7 Years old, 58.5% ABV barrel-proof Kentucky straight bourbon.
Details from Ken's Choice Japan [ @kenschoicejapan ] continue with the details: " The whisky is a carefully curated blend of around twenty 7-, 8-, and 9-year-old barrels, detailed by the chaotic, demon-themed label artwork designed by illustrator Yuko Shimizu.
"Mugen Spirit" is a highly anticipated, up-and-coming American independent bottler that recently achieved the remarkable feat of winning a Double Gold medal with a top score of 99 points on its first entry at the 2026 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
For their first release in Japan, YOKAI ONI was selected to join the Mugen Spirit Yokai Series. This bourbon perfectly embodies the rough, wild nature and primal power of Japan's terrifying yokai (monsters or spirits). "
The bottles are still available for sale online in Japan, but I hear stock in the states sells out in seconds on release.
Btw, I'm absolutely in love with the aesthetics of this bottle!
~~
At Alligator Char, I open the vault to share bottles you won't find on standard menus. Experience the true history of Japanese whisky, from the rare and old to modern malts across Japan.
My speakeasy is set inside several legendary bars during their off hours in Tokyo.
To book your Tokyo tasting, please message directly
🔗 Link in bio to book on Airbnb, Klook, and TripAdvisor
➡ or book Directly on my site [ alligatorchar.com ]
#yukoshimizu #bourbon #bourbongram #bourbonwhiskey #Mugen
📷 Photos: Nikon Z6 II / NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/776497106_17937143400349278_9204416588021485089_n.webp?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=100&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=chfBFcSirVIQ7kNvwGH3mAt&_nc_oc=AdpuxyuWe5x80nnS8X-Dt-gR6uNN9dDuCsC6rpfl66vTm1P8i8ZqL9yfhpVnuELALZE&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ocGKC6K-rcncW6Gg2cCgMA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQL150C6ZoWl0pppZuMKOaeORwRIzuwETbncwG5th0bo3wmXRqtVMXBw2nxZOKovoMS1UzNZ1QE5&oh=00_AQJctEORviMkG9POEY48YnziUaoJ0cg0qtAQ2GpAlqf32Q&oe=6A9B8918)
![The most recent bottle I illustrated is for @alohawhisky in Ikebukuro. One of many releases David is offering this year for his bar. This one is a 28-year-old North British single grain Scottish whisky aged in a 1st fill PX cask and bottled at 50.9%. The bottle is for sale at the bar, so please don't ask me to grab you one—I'm only the illustrator!
Please hound David via DM, cellphone, landline, WhatsApp, TikTok, snail mail, and telegraph to secure your bottle. However, a quick trip to the bar should be sufficient, so book your $1,500 airplane ticket to Tokyo, grab an $8 bowl of ramen when you land, then pick up your bottle!
By the way, it's a Spam musubi! But we couldn't put "Spam" on the bottle. Also, it's almost 30 years old, but we couldn't say it was 30 on the bottle. Also, there were a ton of other things we wanted to put on the bottle, but the UK liquor laws wouldn't let us. BTW, do you see the color of that bottle? Crazy!
~~
At Alligator Char, I open the vault to share bottles you won't find on standard menus. Experience the true history of Japanese whisky, from the rare and old to modern malts across Japan.
My speakeasy is set inside several legendary bars during their off hours in Tokyo.
To book your Tokyo tasting, please message directly
🔗 Link in bio to book on Airbnb, Klook, and TripAdvisor
➡ or book Directly on my site [ alligatorchar.com ]
#Whisky #JapaneseWhisky #TokyoTours #JapanTours #Tokyo
📷 Photos: Nikon Z6 II / NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/776553468_17937141561349278_1975348789656134367_n.webp?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=111&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=BxTgjvVo0jgQ7kNvwGJkm7m&_nc_oc=AdomcQ-ji34_eYWqIy35uGXMcJLSOvw2BAz1PuXIX8duMPJCpl2_CAvSWqhhwE5s4lk&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ocGKC6K-rcncW6Gg2cCgMA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQJqj1a0WFDKUn2fUyh0QEHcfSQRzRS1u6wUBzpe_SY65Qav6vdx48BksA18tlXPJoWmb7RH5wrm&oh=00_AQKSTUsRmzAfY27ExzcAqRjBlvb2AnLDTU-uRFQOuRLyEw&oe=6A9BA065)
![TASTE JAPAN'S RAREST WHISKY
During the 1980’s, Japan sat on millions of casks that had been aging for decades. But no one was drinking it. Distilleries closed during this time, and their discarded casks became legends. These bottles go for thousands on Auction.
Don’t worry, you can try these rare whiskies on your next trip to Japan.
At Alligator Char, I open the vault to share bottles you won't find on standard menus. Experience the true history of Japanese whisky, from the rare and old to modern malts across Japan.
Set inside several legendary bars during their off hours in Tokyo.
To book your Tokyo tasting, please message directly
🔗 Link in bio to book on Airbnb, Klook, and TripAdvisor
➡ or book Directly on my site [ alligatorchar.com ]
#Whisky #JapaneseWhisky #TokyoTours #JapanTours #KaruizawaWhisky
Karuizawa distillery photo: By Togabi - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0
📷 Bottle photo: Myself: Nikon Z6 II / NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/765917152_17935696053349278_2834199518612840327_n.webp?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=104&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=FPjiN1sd0XkQ7kNvwHwGPgm&_nc_oc=Adous90kSyYlm0_Ts80vBnVWl_MVEO3tKczlJeDxCuf18SV0o-jR-RkqwdCSx9QOiMU&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ocGKC6K-rcncW6Gg2cCgMA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQJZaEKshTf3E5OZjYaMLlRzuuclhVQAKihZXks6edWoKsYhtwopZtoEejAYtZjQES3NrIdcTywn&oh=00_AQKaCTdvIQuolDoxv2kfrCWZgFeaIS7g0vds-rwNiqucsg&oe=6A9B78F7)
![August Calendar! Select days open 6pm to Close.
Opening Party Days: August 13, 14, 15!
Location:
Chuo line to Chigasaki station + 8 minute walk (take the green car!)
4-3 Tomoe2, Chigasaki, Kanagawa 253-0056
〒253-0056 神奈川県茅ヶ崎市 共恵2-4-3
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EVJWGteiNdTTw4Gp9
//////
Alligator Char will be taking over a new bar in Chigasaki -- just an 8 minute walk from Chigasaki Station!!
The limited edition run of Alligator Char's Chigasaki Bar will start in August and run until I'm exhausted (maybe a month or two or into infinity maybe!!!).
My bar will have a 500 yen "one coin" selection, and of course; super expensive old and rare whisky from Karuizawa to Hanyu and hard to find favorites like Chichibu, Yamazaki, and age statements and proofs that will make your head spin.
Cocktails are all made from 100% farm grown ingredients produced into the best "farm to glass" distillate Japan has to offer: Clear River Vodka, Mountain Gin, and 100% Nagano Malt & Grain Whisky!
The Alligator Char pop-up is Sponsored by our lovely co-hosts at The Park, a brand new venue for exploring and discovering Chigasaki and the greater Shonan region. You can check them out at [ openthepark.com ].
Stay tuned for more information!
#chigasaki #shonan #japanwhiskybar #japanbar #whiskybar
Featuring: Karuizawa, Hanyu, Yoichi 25, Chichibu Single Cask, Mars Komagatake 28, Yamazaki 25, Glenrothes 30... thirsty yet??](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/763050473_17935169169349278_8392244110763932170_n.webp?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=109&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=CSu4u6uyh0YQ7kNvwEQZ1TY&_nc_oc=Ado6_0O2cK8FBANldlqZ-u7HCpnDAsb_EnPGh9Ck9yM6Iatmjf6aZtFfZxEbdCrTvWQ&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ocGKC6K-rcncW6Gg2cCgMA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQK_MoH2T36YyyxiGVMQS5PX_pSg2oT2j7vqh2-_qpsbk96u_SczUN2yh156A9cj_nHvuLDhNNMt&oh=00_AQLYwzhuvSypidhjsHjD8a2dyfrjZHSlr6iXczDp-yPaRw&oe=6A9B9A6A)
![Alligator Char will be taking over a new bar in Chigasaki -- just an 8 minute walk from Chigasaki Station!!
The limited edition run of Alligator Char's Chigasaki Bar will start in August and run until I'm exhausted (maybe a month or two or into infinity maybe!!!).
My bar will have a 500 yen "one coin" selection, and of course; super expensive old and rare whisky from Karuizawa to Hanyu and hard to find favorites like Chichibu, Yamazaki, and age statements and proofs that will make your head spin.
Cocktails are all made from 100% farm grown ingredients produced into the best "farm to glass" distillate Japan has to offer: Clear River Vodka, Mountain Gin, and 100% Nagano Malt & Grain Whisky!
The Alligator Char pop-up is Sponsored by our lovely co-hosts at The Park, a brand new venue for exploring and discovering Chigasaki and the greater Shonan region. You can check them out at [ openthepark.com ].
Stay tuned for more information!
#chigasaki #shonan #japanwhiskybar #japanbar #whiskybar
Featuring: Karuizawa, Hanyu, Yoichi 25, Chichibu Single Cask, Mars Komagatake 28, Yamazaki 25, Glenrothes 30... thirsty yet??](https://scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com/v/t51.82787-15/760648338_17934836478349278_7402301320949884089_n.webp?stp=dst-jpg_e35_tt6&_nc_cat=107&ccb=7-5&_nc_sid=18de74&efg=eyJlZmdfdGFnIjoiQ0FST1VTRUxfSVRFTS5iZXN0X2ltYWdlX3VybGdlbi5DMyJ9&_nc_ohc=w6Wq8_AXQHoQ7kNvwELSSqQ&_nc_oc=AdqOq5JTIHeDt8MBBkYn6AH-vF7Te5brVu6lcdDtTAzH3WT-DgfW9Ay-2xMMCHoRSsc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-den2-1.cdninstagram.com&edm=ANo9K5cEAAAA&_nc_gid=ocGKC6K-rcncW6Gg2cCgMA&_nc_tpa=Q5bMBQLU5GrXlyTskETr-_dBNSa8y4tGxc9E-VSwebCouGBsxIYxeU5vmHnS2RqX-guyHNZSwzTWcZCY&oh=00_AQJB5UQQzXFqmXYN2SzCTryHCzgndB-HHoL3x3qUo8oOAQ&oe=6A9BA077)
