THE HISAKA:
Inspired by craft gin, the goal is to eventually turn Takadanobaba into a bar district!
- Part 2 -

What kind of career path and passion led Hiroyasu Ogura, owner-bartender of THE HISAKA from Gifu Prefecture, to open a bar specialising in craft gin in Takadanobaba? We introduce the trajectory of the Takadanobaba gin world, along with eight craft gin brands recommended by Mr Ogura!

writer：Drink Planet　撮影：Akiko Sameshima

Fateful encounter with craft gin.

Hiroyasu Ogura, the owner-bartender of THE HISAKA, hails from the Hisaka area of Ibigawa-cho, Gifu Prefecture.

The name "HISAKA" comes from his hometown.

The name "Gifu" is quite deep in the mountains of Ibigawa-cho, let alone within Gifu City. To put it bluntly, it's an area that has nothing to do with bars or cocktails (laughs)." After graduating from high school, Ogura worked for a local interior design company, but overcame opposition from those around him and moved to Tokyo at the age of 20 to become a manga artist.

A part-time job at a izakaya (Japanese-style pub) sparked his interest in alcohol, which eventually led him to work at the Hibiya Bar.

He later rose to the position of manager at a Spanish bar in Yushima, and at the same time became absorbed in the world of sherry and whisky.

While touring Spain to study sherry, Ogura's destiny took a major turn when he came across a certain craft gin. ......