Mead’s Guide Vol. 5 “MIKENEKO STAND” in Nagano

A project introducing shops where you can enjoy mead in style.
"A Guide to Mead"

Just like a guidebook you rely on when traveling through unfamiliar lands, we hope to make this project a way to share how to enjoy drinks you might not be familiar with. We want to introduce not only ways to enjoy mead but also the wonderful charm of these shops and some delightful pairing examples.

Today, we are featuring "MIKENEKO STAND" in Nagano.Walking through the traditional shopping street, you will come across a shop that exudes a stylishness and warmth that makes you want to peek inside.

During the day, it is a bright space filled with warm sunlight, while at night, dimmed lighting creates a cozy atmosphere. It is a comfortable retreat that stands apart from the bustle of the shopping district.

@mikeneko_stand

1. Access
A 15-minute walk from the Zenkoji Exit of JR Nagano Station, or 3 minutes from Gondo Station on the Nagano Electric Railway. Look for the "MIKENEKO STAND" lettering.


2. History
MIKENEKO STAND opened on December 1, 2022. They began carrying ANTELOPE mead on their very first day, and it has been nearly two years since our partnership began.

The owner, Tomohide Kobayashi, returned to Gondo with a deep desire to "revitalize the local area" after working as a bartender and restaurant manager in Tokyo and Hiroshima. While he knew the word "mead" back then, he said he didn't really think of it as an "interesting drink."

That changed when he happened to encounter our rice and rice-koji mead, "K." It was one of our early creations, made by adding Shiga-grown rice and rice-koji to honey.
This encounter completely changed his impression of mead, and our relationship blossomed after he made the long trip to visit our brewery in Shiga.🌾



3. Food & Drink
Every dish at MIKENEKO STAND is homemade by Kobayashi-san.
Besides sweets like Basque cheesecake (their most popular item!) and chocolate terrine, they also serve appetizers that pair perfectly with drinks. We were particularly intrigued by the quail egg pickles, which are pickled with dill and bay leaves. Although he has no formal training as a chef, he says he sometimes assisted in previous workplaces and is polishing his cooking skills while enjoying the process.

In addition to mead, they also offer non-alcoholic options such as wine, cocktails, and coffee.

A distinctive feature is how they serve mead: even though it's listed at the very top of the menu, they intentionally leave out any explanatory text.

"What is mead?"

He says he is waiting for that very question. Leveraging the strengths of a small shop, he enjoys having conversations with every customer and making suggestions based on their individual tastes. It was evident in his expression and tone of voice how much he values and enjoys building these new relationships with his customers.

They always have two types of mead on the lineup: a standard mead and a seasonal one. You can order it by the glass, but the style of sharing a pair is also popular, especially among female customers. They sometimes feature barrel-aged meads as well, so if you're interested in those, be sure to ask Kobayashi-san.


4. How to “Walk”

└The recommended pairing for ANTELOPE’s standard mead "The Last Supper" is the "quail egg pickles." The fusion of acidity creates a new chemical reaction in your mouth.

This is Kobayashi-san’s top recommendation, so be sure to try it when you visit.

The dessert combinations are also attractive. For the popular Basque cheesecake, he pairs it with the crispest mead available at the time. It also goes wonderfully with the chocolate terrine, where the sweetness of the mead and the richness of the chocolate create a marvelous harmony. If you stop by for a cafe-like experience, do try the marriage of sweets and mead.

For a savory accompaniment to mead, we recommend pairing it with appetizers like prosciutto or salami. The saltiness of the prosciutto or the spice of the salami brings out the best in the mead. Feel free to enjoy various pairings depending on the time of day and your personal preferences.


5. Open
• Hours: 11:30–22:00 (Open until 24:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and days before holidays)
• Closed: Mondays + irregular days

Please check the shop's Instagram for detailed business hours.

The shop has 16 seats in total and welcomes a wide variety of people, from regulars to first-timers.

On a weekend afternoon, you might see women enjoying cheesecake with friends; at dusk, regulars enjoying wine or mead. You can see different ways to enjoy the space depending on the time.
Whether chatting with Kobayashi-san or enjoying conversation with other customers, you are sure to take a new step into the world of mead here.

We hope this has helped you learn a little more about how to "walk" through the world of mead. Wonder where I should walk to next?