Sake bars are little hideaways that serve a wide variety of sake (also known as nihonshu) in Japan. While each establishment can look a bit different – from modern to more traditional settings – the types of sake served inside give each place a unique feeling. Every sake bar has its own curated list of different styles and flavors, as well as sakes from different regions across Japan, so you can count on them if you’re looking to experience a wide range of rice wines to find out which best suits your fancy! If you’re visiting Japan’s capital, and you’re planning to spend an evening or two at a local sake bar Tokyo has to offer, check out this handy list!
Also read: Sip, Stroll, and Socialize: Why You Should Do a Tokyo Pub Crawl
1. Eureka!
Eureka! is located between Shibuya and Minato City, hidden away on the second floor of a conventional strip mall. With its industrial and modern aesthetic, this sake bar is a posh and popular place with a wide range of small appetizers, as well as more substantial main dishes if you’re hungry for more than little bites. An omakase (chef’s choice) dinner course that comes with sake pairings is also available here, which lets you sample some of the best sakes with detailed information provided by their in-house sommelier. Sparkling sakes and fruity sakes, and brews from all over Japan can be found here, served hot or cold. Reservations are essential if you want to secure a seat!
Address: 2F 4 Chome−11−28, Nishiazabu, Minato City, Tokyo106-0031
Open Thursdays to Sundays. Thurs–Fri: 18:00–23:30, Sat–Sun: 15:00–23:00.
Website: https://www.instagram.com/eureka.sake/?hl=en
2. Robata Yaki Zekkouchou Teppen Shinjuku Ten
More of an izakaya with a cozy vibe, Zekkocho Teppen is located in the heart of Shinjuku and right by the station. Besides a wide selection of authentic and delicious izakaya offerings, their drink menu has an extensive range of beers, highballs, sours, and–you guessed it! –sake. They boast a great selection of sake from all over Japan, and their menu provides lots of information regarding flavor profiles, which run the gamut from sweet to karakuchi (which usually means dry, with a bit of a bite). The sake menu even tells you what foods pair well with your choice of drink. Sparkling sake is also available here, if that’s something on your list to try. This is a sake bar Tokyo locals absolutely love, and it’s not hard to see why!
Address: Asada Building 3F, Nishi-Shinjuku 1-14-5, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0023
Open daily. Mon–Thurs, Sun & Public holidays: 17:00–23:00, Fri–Sat: 17:00–23:30
Website: https://zekkocho-teppen.jp/
Also read: Sake: How It’s Made, and Breweries in Tokyo
3. Mirai Sake Kubota Sake Bar
Conveniently located within Shibuya Parco mall, the Mirai Sake Kubota Sake Bar is both a sake bar and a liquor store. With English sake menus that give detailed descriptions of each sake they carry, information regarding recommended food pairings and ideal serving temperature is also provided. All-you-can-drink deals (unlimited sake for an hour) are also available here, so you can try as many varieties as you want for a fixed price–making this a must-visit for the sake lovers in your life!
Address: Shibuya Parco B1F, 15-1 Udagawacho, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0042
Open daily from 13:00–23:00
Website: https://www.miraisake.co.jp/
4. Moto Tokyo
Located right by Tokyo Station, Moto Tokyo is a cozy standing sake bar with a small private room in the back where they serve a full Japanese course meal. With more than 60 kinds of sake on hand, they even have a variety of sakes from smaller breweries. The knowledgeable sommeliers are also able to explain the qualities of the different sakes they serve! The standing bar has an all-you-can-drink deal and serves small plates that go well with the range of sakes that they carry, and the restaurant serves dishes that change with the seasons. Reservations are necessary to dine in at the restaurant, due to limited seating.
Address: Tokyo Midtown Yaesu 3F, 2-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0028
Open Tuesday to Sunday, 15:00–23:00
Website: https://fsknet.co.jp/impression/mototokyo/
5. Bar Hoshikuzu
If you’re nervous about diving into bars that only serve sake, we’ve got just the place for you. More laidback and chill, Bar Hoshikuzu is a small listening bar that serves craft beer, Japanese whiskies, and an assortment of nihonshu. This is a great place to begin if you’re just getting into Japanese liquor – try out unique spirits like distilled Japanese beer from Yamanashi, or a range of Japanese gins. You can also sample a variety of sakes from all over Japan, including fine sake that has a natural apple-like flavor. And all of this while grooving to the vast selection of vinyl hits the place boasts, from ‘70s FM rock to jazz and so much more! Located near Ueno Park, right by Nippori Station, this is a great place to wind down from your bar-hopping night by listening to some great tunes and chilling with a cool glass of sake.
Address: Iida Building 1F, 7 Chome−18−13, Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001
Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 18:00–00:00
Website: https://www.instagram.com/bar.hoshikuzu?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D
Looking for something more? Best Experience Japan offers an exclusive sake tasting tour in the vibrant and bustling Shinjuku area. Explore local sake bars with a passionate sake enthusiast, and experience the full spectrum of sakes that Japan has to offer. During this tour, you’ll even learn how nihonshu (the traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice) is made, discover how to read sake labels, and enjoy exquisite food pairings–increasing not only your appreciation for this drink, but also the cultural significance that sake has in everyday Japanese life. The sake bar experience is both relaxing and enriching, and is a great starting point to dive into the complexities and delightful range that exists in the humble drink! Who knows, maybe you’ll even make some friends at a sake bar, Tokyo residents consider their second home!