An 8-minute walk from HOTEL RESOL STAY AKIHABARA. Away from the lively area in the center of Akihabara, a little off Yasukuni-dori, you will find "Bar and ONIGIRI Utsusemi Hanare (hereinafter referred to as Utsusemi)".

"Utsusemi" is a Japanese word meaning "people living in the present." Owner Risa Nakayama offers cocktails and rice balls based on the principles of oriental medicine with the hope that "more people will be able to enjoy the present."

Discovering Oriental medicine and going from the construction industry to bar ownership

Nakayama first encountered Oriental medicine while working in the construction industry. He heard about the idea of "Ayurveda" from the chiropractor at the chiropractic clinic he visited.

Ayurveda is a traditional medicine that originated in India and Sri Lanka. It is a medical science that focuses on one's constitution and ailments, and aims to create a body that is less susceptible to illness by improving lifestyle habits such as diet and sleep.

Nakayama, who had been working a heavy workload, quit his job when he became ill. He decided to take the opportunity to learn about Ayurveda, which he had always been interested in, and began to study it in earnest. A year later, he used the knowledge he had gained to start a service offering meals and massages.

While Nakayama is happy to see the changes in his customers through his service, he begins to think, "I want to provide an opportunity for people who are not concerned about their health, but also those who are already interested in health, to take a closer look at their bodies." What kind of place can he provide this? As he thought about it, he remembered his experience working in the construction industry.

"After work, on my way home on the last train on the Yamanote line, I wanted to reset my feelings so I went to a bar near my house. When I remembered that scene, I realized that I wanted to convey my feelings to people who visited bars like I did at the time."

I want to create a bar where you can face your body and mind while drinking delicious alcohol. With that in mind, Nakayama trained as a bartender for three years and opened "Bar and ONIGIRI Utsusemi (now Utsusemi Hanare)" in September 2023. He took his first step as a bar owner.

Cocktails and rice balls based on the idea of the 24 solar terms

Utsusemi's menu is based on the concept of "medicinal cuisine," which is in the same vein as Ayurveda, so that customers can easily incorporate the ideas of traditional Chinese medicine into their diet.

In medicinal cuisine, there is a concept called "24 solar terms" that considers a year as 24 seasons, and it is said that people tend to have ailments that occur during each season. Utsusemi serves sake and rice balls made with ingredients that correspond to those ailments.

The reason they serve onigiri is also based on the idea of medicinal cuisine. In medicinal cuisine, rice is said to nourish the "chi" that replenishes people's energy. Nakayama came up with the idea of onigiri as a dish that nourishes the foundational energy of people while allowing you to change the ingredients to match the 24 solar terms.

At Utsusemi, they offer chashu (tea liquor) made by steeping tea leaves in vodka, and gin made with Japanese ingredients, which go well with onigiri. Another big attraction is that they not only have seasonal cocktails, but also the opportunity to try alcoholic beverages that you would not normally encounter.

"First, enjoy the rice balls and a drink with your meal, then enjoy a limited-edition cocktail that coincides with the 24 solar terms as a dessert or to finish off your meal," says Nakayama. The simple combination of rice balls and alcohol is packed with wisdom for taking care of your body.

A space where Scandinavian and Japanese scents mingle and convey the changing of the seasons

Another unique feature of Utsusemi is the location of its store. The store is a hideaway-like space in a corner of the second floor of Norwegian raincoat brand "Norwegian Rain," welcoming customers.

Nakayama-san came across this place through a mysterious connection with the people at Norwegian Rain. When Nakayama-san was working as a bartender, a regular at the bar where he worked was also a customer at Norwegian Rain. When Nakayama-san told them that he was looking for a place to open his bar, they offered to let him use their store space.

The shop was renovated from an old house that was formerly a joinery shop and residence. The interior is comfortable, with tatami mats and Norwegian furniture.

There is also a small courtyard garden at the rear of the restaurant. This garden was created by converting a balcony into one with a variety of plants, so you can relax and enjoy your drink while appreciating the garden's changing scenery with the seasons.

The small seasonal changes that we don't notice when we're living a busy life. Utsusemi brings these fleeting moments to us not only through taste but through various other senses.

A place to listen to your own voice in order to "live in the moment"

Nakayama-san has been spending a lot of time with customers in the nine months since the shop opened. When asked how he would like to see Utsusemi used in the future, he replied, "I would like people to come here when they want to reset themselves."

"I want people to come when they want to reexamine their lives and emotions. I don't think there are many spaces as quiet as Utsusemi in the city. It's a quiet space, so you can hear sounds that you don't normally pay attention to, like the sound of water flowing in the small garden or the sounds of dishes being washed, and they can be very soothing. So I want people to come when they're feeling a bit tired or when they want to reexamine themselves. I want Utsusemi to be a place where people can feel safe."

When we are busy, we tend to put our own needs on the back burner. However, by taking the time to look after yourself every once in a while, you may discover an unexpected voice within yourself.

To live in the present is to listen carefully to your own voice. At Utsusemi, you can enjoy a tranquil and rich time in which you can listen to your own voice.

Bar and ONIGIRI Utsusemi Hanare
Address: 2F Norwegian Rain&T-MICHAEL TOKYO STORE, 1-12-6 Kandasudacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
HP: https://utsusemi.tokyo/
Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/bar_and_onigiri_utsusemihanare/
*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.