Off to See a Guy about Some Sake

Robert-Gilles will probably kill me, but I missed the big Shizuoka sake tasting on Sunday. Very bummed about that but I was otherwise engaged (and sadly a bit hungover but that is another story).

But for anyone who can make it, the Yamada Nishiki Summit (yes, that's right) is going down tomorrow.

Lots of stuff is coming up in October, including (forgive my laziness) the Kanto Jizake Tasting:

第十回関東地区龍力を楽しむ会

日 時　　１０月７日(水)　１７時～
会 場　　グランドアーク半蔵門　　
会 費　　１２０００円
問　合　　㈱本田商店内　龍力を楽しむ会
担当　久原・岡本
079-273-0151

A big SSI event on 10/8 at the Hotel Metropolitan Edmont for Y5500 per person.

And one of my favorite tastings of the year, the fall ginjoshu event.

If you can't make it to any of these, don't fret none. There are plenty of places to get the goods. And at some of them you can even sip before you buy.

This, incidentally, is a special shout-out to the sake friends in town this month who have asked me for shop info. Enjoy and have a great trip!


Where's that chokko?

Hasegawa Sakaten

This stylish sake enclave in Omotesando Hills features a small standing bar where patrons can taste brews on the weekly changing menu starting at Y300 per 50ml glass. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you pick the perfect bottle, and some staff members can assist you in English. The newest location, in the basement of Tokyo Station’s Gransta shopping area, is a great place to wait for that next shinkansen bullet train – they even have bar stools.

Jingumae 4-12-14, Omotesando Hills 3F
5785-0833

Fukumitsuya

The interior of Fukumitsuya more closely resembles a gallery than a sake store, but the shop represents a brewery in Kanazawa that dates back to 1625. Everything, from the sake bottles to the delicate glassware, is attractively displayed and tastefully backlit. A bar runs along the left side of the shop, where you can order sizable pours from Y600 off the English menu.

Ginza 5-5-8
3569-2291

Meishu Center

At the other end of chic in Hamamatsucho, the tasting bar here provides a terrific chance for sake buffs to nerd out. What the Meishi Center lacks in style, it more than makes up for in the quality and breadth of sake available. They will even set up a blind tasting for you. No English spoken.

Hamamatsucho 2-3
5405-4441

Suzuki Mikawa Sake

This little shop in Akasaka features a nice selection of sake from several producers representing the new generation of young brewers. Most of the bottles are available for informal tasting – the staff will give you a small plastic cup and leave you to it. English service is limited.

Shinkawaya

A hidden gem in Gaienmae, this place has everything you would want in a local shop – great sake, good prices, and helpful, laid-back service. They hold tasting events every season, so check with the staff for details.

Jingumae 2-4-1
3401-4462

Cool Neighborhood Joints

Sakaya Kurihara

Feast your eyes on the excellent selection at this small shop in Hiroo. You’ll even be able to read the shelf-talkers – most include brief explanations in English.

Moto-Azabu 3-6-7
3408-5378

Mitsuya

The folks at Mitsuya have crammed their tiny shop full of great sake from all over the country. Once a month, you can join their benkyoukai tasting events, which feature a different brewery each time (in Japanese only). Ask the staff for more information.

Nishi-Ogikubo Minami 2-28-15
3334-7447

Aji no Machidaya

This cool and quirky shop boasts and impressive collection of one-cup sakes, in addition to the amazing variety available in 720ml and 1.8L bottles.

Kamitakada 1-49-12
3389-4551

Iseyuu

An incongruously hip shop in down-to-earth Saginomiya, Iseyuu features a small but well-chosen selection with some interesting and hard-to-find brews.

Saginomiya 3-35-3
3330-0434