 The Aqua Bar is located at the foot of the famous Seibu Ikebukuro department
store. The matching tones of the Aqua Bar are all based on a single color-black.
As soon as you have sat down in this futuristic cellar with its glacial
atmosphere, you will be plunged into a state of reverie which may not be far
from a Zen trance.
The bartender boasts that he has over a hundred customers a day. But he also points out that it is the only water bar in Tokyo, so perhaps going out for water is not becoming a new trend. In fact, the Aqua Bar doesn't claim to be anything more than a gimmick to grab some attention for its sponsors, and also to showcase new products in a booming multi-billion yen market for natural waters.
An ordinary serving usually runs from 200 to 500 yen ($2.00 to $5.00), or the equivalent of a medium-to-low priced cup of Tokyo coffee. The bar stocks over 20 different natural water brand names from America, Canada, England, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, and Norway. And not all the water is drunk straight. There is a little creativity at work here: the water bar will serve up hot mineral teas, or for some color, mineral waters flavored with lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit, as well as fragranced mineral water, featuring kiwi, lemon, cassis, peach, cherry, raspberry, and strawberry. Water comes with bubbles, or without. Overwhelmed customers can consult with the bartender, who will recommend some nice Canadian glacier water, or perhaps concoct a mixture of different natural waters. But since the establishment deals strictly with water, the average customer doesn't linger long. The bar does not serve any food, except perhaps an occasional mineral water-based fruit cocktail. Seibu Ikebukuro Department store
JR Line Ikebukuro
Station
1-2-8-1 Minami Ikebukuro
Toshiba - Ku Tokyo
Tel : + (81) 3 39
81 01 11
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The Water Connoisseur
