Japan is full of secrets and hidden gems. No one wants to spill the beans on their favorite local bars and cafes, and for good reason! Often they only seat 3-7 people. There's charm in the fact that these bars are a bit private, subtle, and hard to find because when you find a spot you love you won't be disappointed. Hint: don't stick to the ground floor.

A few of the best:

Kyoto

• A cocktail bar lit by only candlelight playing quiet house music. (We were sworn to secrecy!)

• Yuki's will make sure your experience at The Bar Straight is both friendly and impeccable. Head up the elevator and down a hallway in Kyoto's Gion neighborhood.

Tokyo

• Bar Huddle, a friendly tiny bar in Setagaya.

• Abe will make you feel at home in his Golden Gai 8 seater, Bar Asyl. He's written descriptions of each whiskey bottle and happy to explain his preferences.

• Little Soul Cafe: A record-spinning Shimo-Kitazawa hangout.

Osaka

• Bar Azzurri: a 4th floor cocktail lounge open 24 hours a day showing any soccer match you want to see.

• Love Jazz and Vinyl? bird/56 should be your go to. 

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