Five years ago, Hiroyasu Kayama developed a fascination with absinthe. Shortly before opening his bar Ben Fiddich in July 2013, he took a pilgrimage to the famous absinthe-producing town of Pontarlier, which lies on the French border with Switzerland. Now, the 30-year-old mixologist wants to start an absinthe revolution in Japan.

"Absinthe is linked with art and culture," he says. "I want to get more people into it by showing them how delicious it can be."

The famously bitter green drink captivated the imaginations of artists and writers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and, although the spirit has been enjoying a modest revival in countries across Europe and in the United States, the enthusiasm has yet to reach Asia. Located in Nishi-Shinjuku, Ben Fiddich is one of only four absinthe specialists in Tokyo. But in addition to stocking over 30 varieties of the liquor, Kayama also makes original absinthe-like botanical infusions and hopes to start his own distillery in Japan one day.