Shinjuku is home to both department stores and specialty liquor shops, boasting an impressive selection of sake and whisky. Here, you’ll enjoy a wide range of choices, from popular classics to rare labels, along with the perks of tax-free shopping and discount coupons. It’s the perfect chance to pick up a bottle worthy of a souvenir.

As one of Japan’s leading shopping districts, Shinjuku boasts countless stores to buy alcohol, from large department stores to specialty shops, offering everything from well-known brands to hard-to-find labels. For international visitors, a big plus is that even electronics retailers near the station and discount stores in entertainment areas (such as Don Quijote) sell alcoholic beverages. Many of these stores are tax-free and stay open late, sometimes even until early morning, so you can easily stop by after sightseeing or dinner to pick up canned chu-hi, beer, or sake at reasonable prices. Whether you’re looking for a premium bottle or an affordable drink, Shinjuku has you covered

Department stores and specialty liquor in Shinjuku always have experienced staff on hand, making it easy even for beginners to ask for recommendations. Whether you’re buying a gift or adding to your collection, they can help you find the perfect bottle that suits your taste. Many specialty stores also provide English product descriptions or even tasting opportunities, ensuring a comfortable and multilingual shopping experience for international visitors.

From luxury department stores to dedicated liquor boutiques, Shinjuku offers an exceptional selection of sake and whisky. You’ll find bottles that capture the spirit of your journey or bring a touch of refinement to your everyday life.

Shinjuku’s department stores perfectly embody Japan’s renowned sense of hospitality and sophistication. Their calm, refined atmosphere makes them ideal places to browse and choose high-end gifts or collectible bottles.

Opened in 1933, Isetan Shinjuku is one of Japan’s most prestigious department stores, located in Shinjuku Sanchome. True to its reputation as the top-ranked department store in Japan by annual sales, its liquor section is equally impressive. From Hokkaido to Kyushu, a vast selection of sake and shochu lines the walls, neatly arranged by region for easy comparison. The elegant display of bottles against black walls exudes a sense of luxury that immediately draws the eye. In the refrigerated section opposite, you’ll find seasonal varieties such as nigori sake and hiyaoroshi. Several knowledgeable staff members are always available to recommend their favorites. The craft beer section even includes a bar where you can sample selected brews on the spot.

Just a two-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station, Shinjuku Takashimaya offers great convenience, even on rainy days. Among its various liquor sections, the wine corner is particularly noteworthy. Takashimaya is a shareholder of the renowned Burgundy winery Maison Leroy, meaning its selection of Leroy wines is unmatched among Shinjuku department stores. For wine enthusiasts around the world, it’s rare to find such an extensive lineup of Leroy labels in one place, making it a must-visit spot. With a collection ideal for both gifting and personal enjoyment, this is the perfect place to explore the depth and elegance of fine wine.

Directly connected to JR Shinjuku Station, Odakyu Department Store houses a liquor section on its B2 food floor, where you’ll find a wide range of Japanese sake, shochu, and whisky, all in one place. You can leisurely browse and select from a lineup ranging from popular year-round staples to premium bottles ideal for gifts.

A highlight here isEnoteca, Japan’s well-known wine retailer. The store offers an impressive selection of both imported and domestic Japanese wines, ensuring satisfaction for everyone, from curious beginners to seasoned connoisseurs.

Directly connected to JR Shinjuku Station, Keio Department Store is known for its convenient location. In October 2025, the long-established Hiroshima-based liquor retailer Sakesho Yamada opened a new branch insideKeio Department Store. With 94 years of history, Sakesho Yamada is renowned for promoting the appeal of Japanese alcohol nationwide. The store features an extensive lineup of sake, shochu, Japanese wine, whisky, and craft beer, all carefully sourced directly from breweries and distilleries.

One of the writer’s top recommendations is its impressive selection of over 6,000 bottles of sake and shochu. Limited editions and seasonal labels change regularly, making every visit a new discovery.

Certified professionals, including JSA sommeliers, JSA diploma holders, and kikizake-shi (sake experts), are on hand to provide thoughtful guidance. Simply share your taste preferences or the occasion, and they’ll recommend the perfect bottle for you.

At Shinjuku’s specialty liquor shops, knowledgeable staff are ready to help you discover a bottle that suits your taste, or one that makes an ideal gift. Discovering rare and limited-edition labels is part of what makes shopping here such a unique experience. Many stores offer tax-free options and tasting opportunities, ensuring a more enjoyable and confident buying experience.

As its name suggests, Whisky Kingdom Shinjuku is a specialty liquor store dedicated to whisky. Located near Omoide Yokocho on the west side of Shinjuku, the shop is small but well-organized, with clearly displayed prices.

You’ll find major Japanese brands like Hibiki, Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Taketsuru, many available in elegant boxed sets perfect for gifts. The store also carries rare aged bottles such as Yamazaki 18 Years and Hakushu 18 Years. Alongside these premium options, you’ll also find a wide range of standard bottles priced from just a few thousand yen, making it enjoyable to browse and choose your favorite.

On the second floor, the “R Whisky Collection” offers tastings starting at just a few hundred yen, allowing you to sample Japanese whiskies before purchasing. Premium labels like Hibiki and Yamazaki are available for tasting from 500 yen, while rare whiskies such as Hakushu 18 Years and Taketsuru 17 Years start at around 2,000 yen. It’s a rare opportunity to try such high-end bottles before you buy!

LINXAS Shinjuku Kabukicho is a whisky-focused specialty liquor shop. The jazz-filled interior, the warm lighting, and the soft carpet create a refined, lounge-like atmosphere. Vintage whiskies displayed near the entrance immediately catch your eye with their impressive variety.

The store carries numerous discontinued and vintage bottles, including rare finds such as Taketsuru and Yoichi. You’ll also find collector’s items such as Yamazaki 18 Years, Hibiki 21 Years, Suntory Royal zodiac bottles, and the Hibiki 100th Anniversary Commemorative Bottle.

One of the highlights here is that you can physically inspect bottles before purchasing. The selection includes not only rare labels but also affordable everyday whiskies such as Yamazaki, Hibiki, and Hakushu. All products come with bilingual labels and descriptions (Japanese and English), allowing international visitors to shop confidently and comfortably.

Located in the heart of Shinjuku’s Kabukicho entertainment district, just steps away from Golden Gai, Liquor Mountain offers convenience and variety. The store carries a wide range of familiar Japanese brands, including whiskies such as Suntory Kakubin, Old, and Chita, all reasonably priced and easy to find.

Its sake corner features popular labels like Dassai and Hakkaisan, as well as compact bottles (180–300 ml) that are easy to take home as souvenirs. Given its nightlife location, you’ll also find many beautifully designed and eye-catching bottles that are pleasure to browse. The store offers tax-free shopping and stays open late, from 4:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m., making it a great spot to pick up a souvenir, whether you’re coming from a night out in Golden Gai or heading back to your hotel.

In Shinjuku, you’ll find great deals on alcohol not only at department stores and specialty shops but also at discount retailers and electronics stores. These locations offer tax-free services and frequent sales, making it easy for visitors to find popular Japanese sake and whisky at great prices. Many are open late into the night, adding to the district’s unbeatable convenience.

Located at the entrance to Kabukicho, this large discount store is a popular stop for travelers and shoppers alike. Its food section features a wide selection of liquor, ranging from Japanese sake and whisky to canned chu-hi and beer from top Japanese brands. Prices are often lower than at regular stores thanks to frequent sales. The store is open late into the night, and early morning, making it perfect for last-minute souvenir shopping before heading back to your hotel. It also offers tax-free shoppings and accepts the coupons featured in this article.

With three locations in Shinjuku, Bic Camera is primarily known as an electronics retailer but also offers a wide selection of alcohol. The East and West Exit stores, in particular, feature a range of sake, whisky, and wine, letting you shop for drinks while browsing electronics. You can even combine your tax-free purchases, so travelers can save on multiple items at once. Additionally, you can use coupons available on LIVE JAPAN for extra savings.

Yodobashi Camera has several stores in Shinjuku’s West Exit area, including the Mobile & Smartphone Store, which also sells alcohol. The lineup includes sake, whisky, shochu, umeshu (plum wine), canned beer, and chu-hi. Tax-free shopping is available, and since there are multiple Yodobashi stores nearby, be sure to check the map link before visiting to find the right one.

Choosing alcohol in Shinjuku is an exciting experience, but before heading home, it’s important to make a few final checks to avoid any regrets. Be sure to review tax-free eligibility, tips for finding limited-edition seasonal bottles, and most importantly, the international flight rules for carrying alcohol. Read this section to ensure a safe, smart, and stress-free trip home with the perfect souvenir from Japan.

In the sake sections of department stores, staff often highlight weekly recommendations. Alongside standard selections, you’ll find seasonal and rare bottles that aren’t widely distributed across Japan. These limited offerings add an extra layer of excitement to your visit. Even if your target brand isn’t available, make sure to check the weekly and seasonal corners, you might discover a hidden gem available only for a short time.

Before taking alcohol abroad, it’s essential to understand the regulations. Beverages with an alcohol content between 24% and 70% can be taken out of Japan in quantities of up to 5 liters per person. These may be carried on board or checked in, but since high-proof spirits like whisky can be expensive, it’s recommended to wrap bottles carefully in clothing and place them in checked luggage to prevent breakage. Note that any alcohol exceeding 70% ABV is strictly prohibited for both carry-on and checked baggage.

With its wide range of department stores, specialized liquor shops, discount retailers, and electronics stores, Shinjuku is an ideal destination for alcohol shopping. From classic sake and whisky to seasonal releases, rare labels, and compact bottles ideal as souvenirs, every visit offers new discoveries. Whether you take your time consulting with professionals or simply drop by to hunt for bargains, you’re sure to find a special, memorable bottle that captures the spirit of your trip to Japan.