Sake has been going through a bit of an international boom recently, with restaurants and bars around the globe adding some good old nihonshu to their repertoire. But for those who feel like they're stabbing in the dark, or finally want to be able to distinguish their honjozo from their daiginjo, the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Centre is here to help. We popped by for a bit at their newly opened Shinbashi location for an information-jammed hour with a bit of sake on the side.
When you walk in (note: the new main entrance is at the back of the building – we took the smaller door which leads out to the main road, but this actually functions as something of a back door), you're greeted by a wall of sake and shochu bottles and attributes, as well as a whole lot of information leaflets. We spotted an impressive range of brochures, some of which were in English, Korean, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Portuguese and French.
The displays on the wall are mainly in Japanese and explain different aspects of sake, including the types of rice (and levels of polishing, by which the varieties are known) and a myriad of cups and serving vessels, both traditional and slightly more modern variants.
For more detailed information, they also have tablets available with information in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean; these list multifarious sake brands while also providing insight into the brewing process. There's a video projected onto the wall that shows the entire process too, for those who prefer moving visuals.
The highlight though is the sake tasting, with a rather extensive menu to choose from. Most of the goods on offer go for ¥100 or so for a single cup – we'd say that's a pretty good deal. To make choosing just a tad bit easier, they also have a few different sets, which include three different types of sake, shochu or flavoured sakes. These make for a great introduction into the subtle aroma and taste nuances.
And if you have any questions, the staff are happy to help in both English and Japanese. When we visited, the highly knowledgeable and kind Mr Imada, the general manager, served up tidbits of information while recommending some stellar nihonshu based on our reaction to the tasting set. The Daiginjo (A) set is a good choice, with some very light varieties to ease you into the taste. Drink from left to right – our favourite was the Hourin from Hyogo, and we may or may not have gone back for seconds.
All of the sake on display is also for sale (most of the cups and jugs aren't, unfortunately), but the staff are hardly pushy when it comes to making purchases. Meanwhile, those who want a proper class to deepen their knowledge will want to keep an eye out for the regular events (check their website for more details). Stop by for a cup (or three) next time you're in the area, and slowly immerse yourself in the world of sake and shochu.
Opening times and details for the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Centre