CONTENTS
Lab Kyoto: <br>The Chemical Reaction Sparked in Kyoto by a Japanese Bartender Active in Taipei! - Part 2 -<br>

INTERVIEW

Lab Kyoto:
The Chemical Reaction Sparked in Kyoto by a Japanese Bartender Active in Taipei! - Part 2 -

#Interview

Makita Takafumi／牧田貴文 from「」

Takafumi Makita (known as Taka), the bartender who made a name for himself at Taipei's "Lab," has chosen a traditional Kyoto townhouse in Gion as his next venture. Why Kyoto? And what kind of cocktails will he serve here, and what kind of culture will he cultivate?

writer：DRINK PLANET　撮影：Takuya Oshima

Kyoto → Taipei → Back to Kyoto!

Here, I'd like to briefly introduce Taka Makita's career as a bartender. For more details, please refer to DRINK PLANET's back issues.

On December 21, 2025, Taka opened "Lab Kyoto" in Kyoto's Gion district.

First, why Kyoto, and specifically Gion?

"There isn't just one reason," says Taka.

He explains it was the result of various factors coming together: his own Kyoto roots, the stable operation of the Taipei "Lab," the growth of the Taipei staff, his desire to return to working behind the counter himself, and personal circumstances.

"But perhaps the biggest factor was the way time flows in Kyoto. It's a city bustling with people, yet time moves slowly. People's expressions are calm, and I felt good vibes. I didn't understand it as a child, but after traveling the world as an adult, I thought... if I open another bar, it has to be in Kyoto."

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