Hyperlocal Tokyo

This sake bar is located just a few minutes' walk from the north exit of Kinshicho Station. I made a reservation for a weekday evening. The place is quite small, with only six seats at the counter, but it's not that hard to get a reservation. You might even be able to book last minute. They don't have a lot of substantial food options, so it's more of a place to enjoy sake and snacks. They have a wide variety of sake, and the best part is that you can order small portions, like 60 milliliters. It makes you want to try different kinds. They have some sake perfect for the first drink, like doburoku (unfiltered sake) with soda, but otherwise it's all sake. It's truly a place for sake lovers. I had the following dishes: * Grilled amberjack with sake lees * Tobiuo (flying fish) namero (a type of fish paste) * Clams and cucumber with plum dressing * Fried tofu * Octopus rice One dish that really caught my eye was the seared dolphin. I'd never had dolphin before, so I had to try it. It was seared with a sauce and had a beef jerky-like texture. But when you chew it, it has a unique, liver-like flavor that's not as intense as you might expect. It's not bad, though. It has a deep flavor that goes well with sake. I also had a lot of sake, and it was all delicious. I really liked the Yamato-gawa sake. It was sweet and had a strong acidity. I enjoyed drinking it on its own. The owner is pretty cool, so it's not a super lively atmosphere, but he'll answer your questions. Kinshicho has a lot of sake bars, doesn't it?

【Akabu Hisui Junmai Ginjo Namazake 60ml (Iwate) (¥450)/ A sake specialty store boasting a wide selection of sake, available in small 60ml portions, a dream come true for sake enthusiasts. A full menu of side dishes, mainly seafood, complements the sake selection.】@ Kinshicho Station ◾️What kind of place is this?｜ ・A sake specialty store with a wide selection of over 60 varieties. ・Enjoyable in small 60-70ml portions. ・A full menu of side dishes that pair well with sake, from classic to rare delicacies, focusing on seafood. ・A calm atmosphere with a counter-style seating arrangement. ・The owner's knowledge of sake is unparalleled, making it the perfect place to learn about sake. ◾️Menu items ordered｜ ・Shiraki HONEY DROP 60ml (Kyoto) (¥380) ・Akabu Hisui Junmai Ginjo Namazake 60ml (Iwate) (¥450) ・Eikou Fuji LEAP YEAR Junmai Daiginjo Genshu 60ml (Yamagata) (¥500) Shiraki HONEY DROP 60ml｜Sweet and lingering on the tongue. Made with black koji used in shochu. A unique acidity is added. Akabu Hisui Junmai Ginjo Namazake｜A clear taste with a hint of sweetness like Shine Muscat grapes. Eikou Fuji LEAP YEAR Junmai Daiginjo Genshu｜A juicy taste with umami and acidity. Truly worthy of the Aiyama rice. The appetizer was a fish powder-infused oden, cold tofu, and pickles. The pickles included small melons and sea snails. Thank you for the meal.

This is a shop that specializes in sake (?). When entering, the master will ask you, "It's only sake, is that okay?" They have a wide variety of sake, which is great.🙆‍♀️🙆‍♀️ The master was also very helpful in introducing and recommending sake, which was great. Thank you👏👏👏

This place had been on my radar for a while. Lately, with so many restaurants closing due to the pandemic, I've been struggling to find a place that truly satisfies. Then, by chance, I walked past this place and decided to give it a try. The owner seemed a bit intimidating at first, but the quality of the place was incredible. The food was surprisingly affordable and delicious for the price. It was a real treat for any sake lover. The owner said, "I want you to enjoy the sake, so you can just have the appetizer if you want," but every dish was perfectly paired with the sake. I couldn't help but order more. The sake selection was truly impressive, and the best part was that you could try a variety of sakes in small portions. Other places usually serve sake by the 'go' (180ml), which can add up quickly if you order a lot. But with this system, you can truly enjoy a wide range of sakes. Plus, the owner's knowledge of sake is phenomenal. He's a bit of a sake enthusiast, in a good way, and enjoying sake while listening to his insights is truly special. Some people might prefer to savor their sake alone, and the owner respects that. He knows how to create a comfortable space for everyone, regardless of their preferences. It's a testament to his maturity. Some reviews mentioned that he's aloof, but if you ask him about sake, he'll respond with enthusiasm. Whether it's wine or sake, a place like this wouldn't be possible without a knowledgeable owner who's passionate about their craft. If you want more attention, there are other places that cater to that. The owner's strong personality also means there are no loud, annoying customers, which is a big plus. I've been back several times since then. Next time, I'm bringing a friend who loves sake.

You can enjoy a variety of Japanese sake. There are also appetizers that go well with the sake, such as 'namerou' (a dish of minced fish), making it a great place to stop by for a quick drink on your way home.