Ripple
Good to know before you go
- Getting there
- Kintetsu-Nara Station · 1 min walk (Kintetsu Nara Line, Kintetsu Kyoto Line)
- Hours
- 15:00–0:00 (L.O. 23:30)
- Admission
- ¥500 cover charge (+10% tax); drinks from ¥1,000, coffee from ¥800
- Time needed
- 45–90 min
- Best time to go
- 15:00–18:00 for daytime coffee cocktails before the evening rush
Hours can change on holidays — check the official site before travelling.
About
Ripple is an intimate, highly-rated cocktail bar and cafe in Nara that offers a masterfully curated menu of drinks in a relaxed, stylish setting. Known for its warm hospitality and exceptionally crafted cocktails, it serves as a perfect evening escape from the tourist crowds. Expect a cozy, welcoming atmosphere where the bartender's attention to detail turns every drink into a highlight of your day.
What Japanese guides note
Ripple opens at 15:00, functioning as an afternoon coffee bar and an evening cocktail lounge. Because it is positioned on the northern, residential side of Kintetsu-Nara Station rather than along the tourist shopping arcades, it maintains a quiet neighborhood atmosphere. Counter seating is limited to 10 guests, and visitors who do not consume alcohol are welcome to order specialty coffees or non-alcoholic mocktails.
Details from local sources
- Owner-bartender Tomoki Tanaka worked for over five years as chief bartender at Sakurai's The Sailing Bar before training as a roaster and barista at Yamanobe Roastery. [source]
- The signature espresso martini blends vodka infused with light-roast Ethiopian coffee, medium-dark roast Guatemalan espresso, and seasoned Pedro Ximénez sherry. [source]
- The bar seating consists entirely of a single 10-seat counter. [source]
- A standard cover charge of 500 yen plus 10 percent tax is applied, and the venue maintains a completely smoke-free interior. [source]
- The bar mixes a signature citrus spritz using gin paired with Nara-cultivated Yamato tachibana citrus and fermented lemon. [source]
Insider Tip
With only limited seating on the second floor, arrive early in the evening to secure a spot at the counter and watch the bartender work.
Frequently asked
Can visitors order non-alcoholic drinks or just coffee?
Yes. Ripple is intentionally designed as a bridge between specialty coffee and mixology, welcoming guests who abstain from alcohol. Guests can order single-origin coffees starting from 800 yen or house-crafted non-alcoholic mocktails in the same relaxed bar atmosphere without ordering alcohol.
What drink styles are featured at Ripple?
The bar highlights craft coffee mixology and regional ingredients. Signature drinks include an espresso martini blending vodka infused with light-roast Ethiopian coffee and fresh Guatemalan espresso, as well as a citrus spritz prepared with gin, Nara-grown Yamato tachibana citrus, and house-fermented lemon.
What are the hours, smoking rules, and seating fees?
Ripple operates from 15:00 to 0:00 with last orders taken at 23:30, though closing days are irregular. The bar enforces a strictly smoke-free policy throughout the 10-seat counter. A standard seating charge of 500 yen plus ten percent consumption tax applies to each guest bill.
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