With Japanese cuisine drawing more international tourists, nihonshu (sake) and authentic shōchū elevate the dining experience. At the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center in Tokyo’s Minato Ward, visitors can explore, learn, and savor Japan’s cherished alcohol culture.
Engage your senses at a sake and shochu hub
Operated by the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center showcases the allure of nihonshu, authentic shochu, awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit), and mirin (sweet rice wine seasoning) to global visitors.
The association represents about 1,300 nihonshu makers and 300 shochu and awamori producers, totaling 1,600 companies—a cornerstone of Japan’s alcohol industry.
Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center exterior
The center stocks over 100 brands of nihonshu and authentic shochu from breweries nationwide, available for tasting from ¥100 (tax included). Monthly rotating selections ensure unique, one-of-a-kind encounters.
Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center interior
The artistry and philosophy of sake and authentic shochu
Nihonshu, a fermented rice wine, is crafted from Japan’s staple grain.
Sake barrel display
Its flavor shifts with temperature: served at 5–15°C (41–59°F) as reishu (cold sake), around 20°C (68°F) as hiya (room temperature), 40°C (104°F) as nurukan (warm sake), or above 50°C (122°F) as atsukan (hot sake). This versatility, adapting to seasons, dishes, or moods, defines nihonshu’s depth.
Authentic shochu, a distilled spirit, uses diverse ingredients like rice, barley, sweet potatoes, brown sugar, buckwheat, or chestnuts, fermented with rice or barley kōji (malted grain) before distillation.
In Okinawa, rice-koji-based distilled spirits are called awamori, reflecting a unique evolution. These regional variations embody Japan’s terroir and culture.
Videos inside the center, available in English, detail nihonshu and authentic shochu production, offering a language-free glimpse into Japan’s brewing artistry.
A culture shaped by terroir and cuisine
Sugidama (cedar ball), hung outside breweries to signal new sake
A brewery’s technique alone doesn’t define a drink’s flavor. Local climate, terroir, and regional cuisine deeply influence it.
Coastal areas favor smooth, clean nihonshu to pair with seafood, while mountainous regions craft robust, umami-rich drinks to match hearty river fish or wild boar dishes.
“Consider the local cuisine, and the drink’s character makes sense,” says curator Imada.
Pamphlets showcasing breweries nationwide line the center. Imada adds, “Pick one up to inspire your next travel destination.”
Tasting aromas and aftertastes
SAKE 101 Set 900 JPY (tax included)
For deeper nihonshu exploration, try the paid tasting set featuring five representative types. Comparing their aromas, flavors, and aftertastes highlights their distinct personalities.
Tasting with traditional regional vessels, unique to the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center, reflects local history and culture, enhancing the experience.
Vessel for Okinawa’s kūsu (aged awamori)
Favored drinks or vessels can be purchased on-site, perfect as travel mementos or gifts.
Playful sake-inspired goods
The Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center sells unique sake-related items, like a keyholder that repurposes bottle stoppers. Buy one, and choose a stopper for free—a playful, practical treat for sake enthusiasts.
Sakebuta Keychain Holder 660 JPY (tax included)
Nihonshu Playing Cards (Japanese, English, Chinese) 1,650 JPY (tax included)
Sake is more than a beverage—it ties to cuisine, narrates regional history, and creates lasting memories. See, touch, and experience Japan’s alcohol culture at the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center, and add this encounter to your next journey.
Information
| Facility name | 日本の酒情報館 Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center |
|---|---|
| Address | Nihon Shuzo Toranomon Building 1F, 1-6-15 Nishi-Shimbashi, Minato-ku
|
| Access |
Toranomon Station 2-minute walk from Exit 9
Uchisaiwaicho Station 3-minute walk from Exit A4
Kasumigaseki Station 4-minute walk from Exit C3
Shimbashi Station（SMB） 8-minute walk from Shimbashi Station Hibiya Exit
|
| Phone number | 03-3519-2091 |
| Hours | 10:00-18:00 |
| Closed | Sat-Sun, nat’l holidays, & New Year’s holidays Unscheduled holidays |
| Official website | https://www.japansakekyo.com/ |
※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of September 2025.
