Discover THE KICHI brewery & cafe: A Cozy Local Base in Nikko
Located just a short walk from Tobu-Nikko and JR Nikko Stations, there is a fantastic spot that will instantly elevate your travel mood. The staff at UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OKUNIKKO are excited to introduce “THE KICHI brewery & cafe,” a wonderful shop specializing in house-brewed craft beer and specialty coffee.
The name “THE KICHI” carries a double meaning. It represents a “secret base” (kichi in Japanese) where travelers can set up their headquarters to enjoy sightseeing in Nikko, as well as a wish for good fortune (kichi or daikichi) to come to everyone who visits.
6 Original Craft Beers & A Rich Cafe Menu! For those who don’t drink alcohol or are simply looking for a nice tea time during their strolls, the shop offers a wonderful coffee selection. You can pair your drink with their “Whimsical Scones,” which match perfectly with the clean, crisp profile of their coffee!
After ordering at the 1F counter and heading up to the second floor, a beautifully open space unfolds before you. Complete with comfortable sofa seating, it is the absolute perfect location for sitting down to map out your Nikko sightseeing plans or for passing the time while waiting for your train at the end of your trip. Filled with care and attention to detail in every corner, this space truly feels like a secret base where adults can take a deeply relaxing breath.
Merchandise Formed by “Human Connections”
Located near the entrance on the first floor, the merchandise corner is packed with the beautiful “human connections” that the couple has built over the years.
Most of the items on display were crafted by people who have close ties with the owners. Some products were even born from casual conversations with regular customers, asking, “Why don’t we make something together?” Every single piece of merchandise carries its own story, beautifully conveying how deeply the couple treasures their bonds with the people around them—filling your heart with warmth just looking at them.
An Original Beer Brewery Right in the Back of the Shop
As you walk toward the back of the shop, the large brewing tanks immediately catch your eye. Amazingly, all of the original craft beers served at THE KICHI brewery & cafe are brewed right here inside this in-shop brewery!
These freshly brewed craft beers are the ultimate expression of the owners’ dedication. Their exceptionally fresh and deep flavor profiles offer a special glass that you can only encounter right here.
Recreating Flavors from Abroad: Travel-Inspired Asian Cuisine
The food menu, designed to be enjoyed alongside beer or coffee, focuses on Asian cuisine—a favorite of the couple.
The dishes are developed from a pure desire to recreate the unforgettable, moving flavors they experienced while traveling abroad. Taking a single bite wraps you in the exciting feeling of traveling through a foreign country.
The food plates come in two varieties: a fragrant, spiced Keema Curry and a monthly rotating “The Kichi Plate.” During our visit in June, the rotating plate featured Mie Goreng (Indonesian fried noodles) with an irresistible savory aroma. It naturally makes you want to return across different seasons, wondering, “What travel flavors will I discover next month?”
Furthermore, the appetizer menu is not to be missed. The shop offers a great selection of à la carte options that pair beautifully with their fresh, in-house brewed beer, including homemade seasonal colorful pickles and a specialty sausage plate sourced from a local French restaurant.
【Merchandise Collaboration】Enjoy THE KICHI’s Freshly Brewed Beer in Your Hotel Room
“We want our guests to slowly savor the incredible flavors of the beer that the couple so carefully brewed right in the comfort of their hotel rooms. We also hope they can enjoy it back home alongside their fond memories of Nikko.”
With this shared wish, we are thrilled to announce that UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OKUNIKKO will now be selling THE KICHI brewery & cafe’s in-house brewed craft beer (cans) at our hotel market!
These craft beers encapsulate the warm personalities of the couple and the vibrant energy of their shop. At the end of a long day of exploring, pour a slow glass in the private comfort of your hotel room, and spend a luxurious moment soaking in the lingering memories of your journey. This is a proud item that we recommend with complete confidence as the perfect souvenir from Nikko.
About THE KICHI brewery & cafe
- Shop Name: THE KICHI brewery & cafe
- Hours: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM (L.O. 8:30 PM)
- Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (*Please check their official social media for the latest updates)
- Address: 3-9 Aioicho, Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
- Access: Approximately a 3-minute walk from JR and Tobu-Nikko Stations
- Instagram：＠the.kichi.nikko
UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OKUNIKKO
Set against the backdrop of Yumoto Onsen in Okunikko, surrounded by the deep forests of a national park, UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OKUNIKKO is a boutique hotel that embraces a mid-century design aesthetic. Featuring the rich textures of brick and wood, vintage furniture, the warmth of a fireplace, shadow-casting lighting, and grand windows that mirror the forest, we offer a truly unique stay experience where you can step away from daily life and feel as though you’ve walked straight into a storybook.
- Property Name: UNWIND HOTEL & BAR OKUNIKKO
- Address: 2549-5 Yumoto, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1662
- Access: Approx. 90 minutes by Tobu Bus from Tobu-Nikko Station or JR Nikko Station. If traveling by car, please take the Nikko-Utsunomiya Road toward Okunikko.