Historic Japanese town Takeharas traditional architecture.
Timeless Japanese town showcasing harmonious blend of traditional architecture and lush nature.

Takehara : Staggering between the whisky and the sake

When I arrived in Takehara one evening, I was expecting a little village wedged between a calm, silky sea on one side and mountains verdant with bamboo on the other.

But I was greeted by the all-too-familiar flashing signs: Seven Eleven, Family Mart, Coco Ichibanya and suchlike. After checking in at the hotel, I head away from those gross lights and end up in a residential area.

Takehara
Takehara

On a street corner, the discreet charm of Bar Roberta grabs my senses. Inside the contrast is striking: I find myself in a cozy setting, subdued light and delicate touches. In no time I’m sipping some delicious cocktails expertly crafted by a shaker magician. Very soon my whisky-coated palate is siphoned off in a whirlwind of salt and shaken to the rhythm of the clashing bamboo. I’m well and truly connected with Takehara.

Takehara
Takehara

Takehara is one of those small towns referred to as “Little Kyoto of …” followed by the name of the area. Watch out, as this kind of description is not only rash, it really irritates the locals. These towns are not imitation Kyotos. The historic centre is in fact a residential area, frozen in time since the Edo era. Japanese hanging vases make welcome signs on the house walls. Strolling around, I’m face to face with two statues. Massan, and his … Scottish! … wife.

Takehara
Takehara

Massan is the nickname of Masataka Taketsuru, born here in 1894 in a family of sake producers. After a time of study and adventures in Scotland, he married Jessie Roberta “Rita” Cowan and moved back to Japan. He found the best quality water in Hokkaido, and founded his own distilling company in 1934. The famous Nikka whisky was born.

Takehara
Takehara
Takehara
Takehara

Takehara sake is still renowned today. It’s made with very soft water, whereas hard water is traditionally used. Takehara is also known for its quality salt, produced since Edo days by the same artisan method. The salt, collected from the marshlands, is placed in bamboo stems. Heated repeatedly to 800 degrees, it soaks up nutrients from the bamboo. The sudden urge to enjoy a local margarita kicks in!

Sunset. Facing the Seto Inland Sea, I’m hypnotized by the luminous call of a mysterious artificial island through heavy mist. You’re for another day, my beauty.

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Who Am I

Jordy Meow
This is me!

I am Jordy Meow, a French photographer based in Tokyo. I explore offbeat places in Japan.

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Sun whispers through leaves, Golden grass dances gently, Green dreams sway in peace.  日が葉に囁く、 黄金の草が優しく踊る、 緑の夢が静かに揺れる。  #Arashiyama #Kyoto #BambooGrove #NatureWhispers #SerenePathway #JapanWonders #offbeatjapan #japan
Geometric blues, Windows whisper tales untold, Colors break the gray.幾何学の青、 窓は語らぬ物語をささやく、 色が灰を裂く。#urbanarchitecture #geometricdesign #coolcolors #modernjapaneseart #architecturelovers #offbeatjapan #japan
Vermilion whispers, Floating over blue embrace— Spirit’s quiet dance.  朱色の囁き、 青の抱擁に浮かぶ— 静かな霊の舞。  #Itsukushima #Miyajima #Hiroshima #torii #floatinggate #offbeatjapan #japan
Golden skies embrace, Waves whisper secrets to cliffs— Twilight's gentle kiss. ---黄金の空 波が崖にささやく— 黄昏の優しいキス ---#sunsetmagic #coastaldreams #explorejp #serenebeauty #oceanglow #offbeatjapan #japan
White forms dance skyward, Green mountains cradle the art, Under cloud-kissed blue. 白い形空へ舞う、 緑の山が芸術を抱き、 雲にキスした青の下で。#sculptureart #japaneseart #naturemeetsart #modernsculpture #offbeatjapan #japan #travelphotography
Darkened stalls await, Whispers of daikagura, Colors in silence. 暗い屋台、 大神楽の囁き、 色の静寂。#offbeatjapan #japan #daikagura #festivalmood #moodytones #wanderlust #hiddenjapan #haiku
Stone pagoda stands, Cosmos in bloom, moon above— Tranquil whispers hum. ---石塔立つ コスモス咲き、月上に— 静寂の囁き ---#offbeatjapan #japan #explorejapan #hiddenjapan #naturephotography #pagoda #serenity #cosmosflowers
Electric rivers, Neon veins pulse through the night— Silent power flows. 電気の川 夜に脈打つネオン— 静かな力が流れる #industrialjapan #neonlights #japanbynight #technologymagic #urbanreflections #offbeatjapan #japan