1G, Kyoto: Ruin bar in abandoned kamaboko factory

One might have heard of Naruto. It’s a Japanese manga series about ninja students / its protagonist’s name. In real life, Naruto is food called ‘Naruto maki (鳴門巻き)’. It’s a type of Japanese fish cake ‘kamaboko (かまぼこ)’. It is an ex-kamaboko factory (植村食品) where a bar ‘1G’ – one the most under-the-radar bars in Kyoto – is located.

The facade of the kamaboko factory.

At the end is 1G.

1G’s door.

Past the facade/garage of the ex-kamaboko factory is a miniature shrine. Next to the shrine is an industrial metal door of 1G. While I was getting there, I was ready to witness a crime or two or see myself trespassing. Luckily, none of that happened. Instead, I was welcomed by an ever-so-congenial, professional bar waitress.

Inside 1G.

Beyond the door was a spacious room with walls painted in blue, anthropomorphic ripple-like objects. With a disco ball turning and splashing lights on the dynamic murals, the whole room looked like a disco in a washing machine (thanks to the mild detergent smell which I appreciated).

Under the disco ball was a huge, industrial metal communal table. “It used to be a tamagoyaki (卵焼き / Japanese omlette) making machine,” the waitress said. She added “You just walked past the cold room door of the factory.” That explains the temperature: I assumed we were basically in a fridge.

Chilled, fresh-squeezed orange juice. 700 yen ($5.40).

Well crafted piña colada. 900 yen ($6.90).

Tsukidashi (つきだし or basically free) mixed nuts – a cover charge is 200 yen ($1.50) per person.

The drinks were great. Bartenders were flexible for drinks and mixology-related concerns (it was by far the best explanation for an orange juice in my life. And it was delicious).

All in all, it was a great trip. That happened majorly because of good music. It appeared to be curated by a solid standard to generate the right chemistry as an occasional live music bar. The audio was smooth and clear as if it was playing through EarPods. It was freaky good. There I heard trespassing. Touché, 1G.

The waitress treated me and my companion as respectful guests. When I left, I couldn’t help but asking benign questions about the music. “Is it on Spotify?” The waitress said “the owner’s play list.” Touché, 1G. I feel the need to come back for what a DJ booth has got on weekends.