This shop is produced by the world-renowned sake brewery **Hakkaisan**, with the aim of sharing the rich **fermentation culture** nurtured by the deep snow of Uonuma in Niigata.

Here, you can discover premium sake that has been aged for long periods in a traditional **“Yukimuro” (snow cellar)**—a natural refrigeration system that uses accumulated snow. The result is a smooth, refined sake with a clean taste and minimal impurities. Inside the modern and sophisticated shop, you’ll find not only sake but also amazake made generously with rice koji, seasonings, and sweets, offering plenty of options for gifts.

The beautifully curated displays evoke the pure air of Uonuma, allowing visitors to experience the Japanese aesthetic of “functional beauty” (yo no bi) simply by looking around. If you’re searching for an elegant and tasteful gift for someone special, this is undoubtedly the perfect place.

This antenna shop lets you experience the charm of Shiga Prefecture, home to Lake Biwa—the largest lake in Japan—through all five senses. On the first floor, SHIGA’s BAR offers a tasting set where you can sample local sake carefully selected from more than 30 breweries across Shiga at a reasonable price.

Being able to taste before you buy makes it an ideal service for travelers who want to avoid choosing the wrong bottle. From bold and robust junmai sake to fruity varieties reminiscent of wine, you’ll be surprised by the diverse flavors nurtured by Shiga’s abundant water.

If you pick up some Omi beef delicacies or traditional fermented foods as snacks to go with your sake, you can recreate a relaxing “Shiga-style evening drink” at home even after returning from your trip.

Founded in Shizuoka, this specialty shop has led the wine industry with its unique "direct-from-the-winery" style. They support small, passionate domestic wineries in Japan that are not yet widely known, so a visit here guarantees you'll encounter high-quality Japanese wines that express the country's terroir.

Each bottle, personally selected by staff who visit the production areas, comes with a POP display describing the story of the winemaker, doubling the joy of choosing.

Regular tasting events are held in the store, where you can discover your own "hidden gem" while conversing with knowledgeable staff. It's a must-visit spot if you're looking for a surprising souvenir from Japan for your wine-loving friends.

Going far beyond the typical electronics retailer, the basement level of this store features “Bic Liquor,” a massive liquor megastore known for its extensive inventory and expertise—one of the largest in Tokyo. Its selection of Japanese whisky is particularly impressive, covering everything from famous labels such as Yamazaki and Hakushu to bottles from rising craft distilleries that collectors around the world eagerly seek.

Across the spacious floor, fine spirits from around the globe are neatly organized by category. Multilingual staff who can assist in English and Chinese are always available, making tax-free shopping smooth and convenient.

Another reassuring feature of this large store is its attentive service: knowledgeable sommeliers can recommend the perfect bottle based on your budget and taste preferences. The store also offers delivery services to major airports, allowing you to continue your trip without worrying about carrying heavy purchases.

The liquor floor at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store—Japan’s first department store with a long and distinguished history—is an elegant space that truly deserves to be called a “museum of fine spirits.”

Here you’ll find a remarkable collection, including rare junmai daiginjo sake carefully selected from across Japan, exclusive department-store labels, and premium wines worthy of international auctions. Professional concierges are always on hand to provide expert advice, whether you’re choosing a gift based on someone’s taste or looking for the perfect pairing with a particular dish.

Tasting events featuring visiting brewers are also held regularly, allowing you to hear directly from the makers while selecting the perfect bottle. If you’re searching for a luxurious treat for yourself or a memorable gift for someone special, there is hardly a better place to visit.

Located in the Yaesu Underground Shopping Mall beneath Tokyo Station, this legendary long-established shop is considered a “pilgrimage site” by spirit enthusiasts from around the world. The craft beer refrigerators alone are a sight to behold, packed wall-to-wall with bottles—from microbreweries across Japan to extremely rare international labels.

The store’s biggest attraction is its tasting system, which allows you to sample more than 100 kinds of whisky starting from just 10 ml for a small fee. This makes it possible to try even expensive bottles before deciding which one to buy.

Although the shop itself is compact, it is filled with an incredible passion for fine spirits and deep expertise. Once you step inside, anyone who loves good drinks may find it hard to leave for hours.

In this space that feels almost like a secret hideout, enjoy chatting with the knowledgeable staff while searching for your perfect glass.

Located in the Marunouchi underground area of Tokyo Station, this wine specialty shop boasts outstanding accessibility, just steps away from the ticket gates. Inside, you’ll find more than 1,000 carefully selected wines from around the world, ranging from bottles perfect for everyday enjoyment to high-quality selections for special occasions.

The shop also features a counter bar where you can casually taste recommended wines. It’s the perfect place to take a short break during your travels while carefully choosing a bottle that suits your taste.

Because it’s located inside the station, the shop offers excellent gift wrapping and delivery services. For travelers about to board the Shinkansen or returning to nearby hotels, it provides an exceptionally convenient and stylish place to select a fine bottle.

Despite its remarkable location inside the ticket gates of Tokyo Station, this popular shop for sake lovers has built deep trust with renowned breweries across Japan. Its carefully managed refrigerated showcases are constantly stocked with freshly shipped nama sake and seasonal limited releases, offering a level of expertise that is hard to imagine for a store located inside a train station.

At the attached tasting bar, you can make use of your waiting time between trains to casually enjoy a glass of some of the most talked-about labels of the moment. In addition to sake, the shop also offers a rich selection of Japanese craft gin and beer, making it easy to find the perfect drink to turn your upcoming Shinkansen ride into your own “mobile bar.”

Even if you’re carrying heavy luggage, you can purchase top-quality local sake without leaving the ticket gates—making this shop something of a lifesaver for travelers.

Under Japanese law, individuals under the age of 20 are not allowed to purchase alcohol. This rule also applies to tourists, and some stores may ask you to present identification such as a passport for age verification.

In recent years, self-checkout machines have become increasingly common in Japan, and more stores now allow alcohol purchases through these automated registers.
However, when buying alcohol, a screen will appear asking for age verification, and you will need to confirm that you are 20 years old or older.

Some discount stores and supermarkets may not offer gift wrapping or decorative gift boxes.

If you are choosing sake or whisky as a gift for someone special, it is recommended to shop at department stores or specialty liquor stores, where these services are usually available.

When international visitors take alcohol home duty-free upon leaving Japan, the current rule allows up to three bottles of alcohol (each 760 ml or less) to qualify for duty-free treatment.

If the total value of your purchases—including other goods—exceeds 200,000 yen (approximately USD 1,300), customs duties or consumption tax may apply, so it is important to pay attention to the total purchase amount.

A tax system revision is scheduled for November 2026, and some duty-free conditions may be revised. For now, the rules above still apply, but travelers are advised to check the latest information before their trip.

Shopping in the Tokyo and Nihonbashi area is more than simply buying products—it is an experience that allows you to encounter the pride of Japan’s regions and the passion of its craftsmen. The eight spots introduced here all stand out for their quality, expertise, and convenience, making them places we can confidently recommend to visitors from around the world.

When you place a carefully chosen bottle into your suitcase, it may feel as though you are packing away wonderful memories of your time in Japan as well. On a quiet evening after returning home, raise a glass with someone special and reminisce about the rich moments you spent in Tokyo.

We hope you’ll find the perfect final sip of your journey here in Tokyo and Nihonbashi.

Cheers to your discovery in Tokyo!