I recently used the "Dohmin Wari" discount and went to Asahikawa (*'ω'*) The charm of the store is that you can enjoy sake tasting from noon onwards. The sake bottles in the showcase have ribbons on them, and the prices vary by color. First, I had a beer by Upas (780 yen) and then tried a rare sake called "Nouka no Sake" (680 yen) which was easy to drink and enjoyable. I also tried "Otokoyama" (680 yen), a dry and crisp sake from Asahikawa. The food, Oden three-piece set (580 yen) and Braised Pork Belly (580 yen), had delicious flavors. I wanted to try the Asahikawa Chicken Egg Umatama, but it was not available that day. I would love to come back for it. There were various rare sake options in the showcase, and I couldn't resist buying a cute bottle for home use. I also purchased a bottle of "Sakura Nigorizake" (720ml: 2300 yen) from Michizakura Shuzo in Higashikawa-cho, which was a delicious slightly sparkling cloudy sake. Asahikawa seems like a paradise for sake lovers. I apologize for the shallow review as I am not very knowledgeable about sake, but I had a great time exploring different options. Thank you!

There was a stylish standing bar that I visited because I wanted to drink local sake. My expectations grew from the moment I entered the door. Inside, the atmosphere exceeded my imagination and my mood instantly lifted. I asked the staff for a recommendation and tried a limited edition sake from the shop. It was delicious! Local sake made with local rice is truly unbeatable.

This shop is incredibly stylish!! The entrance gets you excited right away. Not only in Asahikawa, but you can also drink various kinds of sake from all over Japan starting at 480 yen. It's a standing bar so you can go in quickly, which is nice. They also have snacks which is great. It's a place where women can go alone too. You can try Asahikawa's three kinds of sake for 1280 yen. The sake server with fresh sake is only 790 yen, so it's a casual price. It's located near Asahikawa Station, so why not stop by and check it out.

This final dinner of the trip, or rather the final drink, is here. Starting with a beer to quench my thirst after being finished at the plate. Then, I delve into Hokkaido sake. This is so enjoyable. Despite being a standing bar, it has a stylish atmosphere. When I entered the store and mentioned "standing bar", I was directed to another area. Passing through the curtain, I walked through a tunnel surrounded by white walls and found myself in heaven! I chose two bottles of sake without knowing the taste from among many. After drinking, I hesitated to buy them to take home, but decided to purchase them online to avoid carrying them. Since it's a standing bar, it can't be helped, but it's kind of inevitable. I visited a few places and encountered some customers who seemed to be somewhat tipsy. It was difficult to engage in conversation as our energy levels didn't match. It's like a game of luck. KANKIKU/KUJUKURI OCEAN WEITZEN, Kamikawa Daisetsu Junmai Ginjo, Mitsubasakura Junmai Aiyama 60

Afternoon drinking in September 2022 (๑´∀`) I visited a liquor store on the corner of the shopping park street where you can drink standing. When I went in the afternoon, they were still preparing and had changed their opening hours to 4 pm. I persistently went back and was able to enter. There is a hidden space at the back of the corridor from the sales area, which is like a hideaway. It's photogenic with rows of sake bottles. Although they mainly recommend Japanese sake, I tried something different - Shakotan Craft Gin "Hinoho" with soda for 880 yen. The aroma was really nice! As a side dish, I had today's small dish for 280 yen, which was a crunchy lotus root kinpira. It was a trendy standing bar, and there were lively young women. Thank you for the meal! (^ω^)

It seems like the first pedestrian paradise in Japan is located along the shopping park street in Asahikawa, called "Ueda-ya". In Hokkaido, many similar establishments are simply referred to as "standing bars" instead of "corner bars". The shiny exterior of this place stands out along the street. As it is a corner bar, the storefront is of course a liquor store, with a mysterious passage appearing at the back of the shelves. Passing through the noren curtain at the end of the passage, you will find a stylish corner bar. The approach from the liquor store to the corner bar is quite nice. The interior of the stylish bar is impressive with antique-style furniture on the walls and a refrigerator displaying various types of sake. This time, as it was my first visit, I tried several local Asahikawa sake recommended by the shop, including "Otoko-yama". You can choose your favorite sake from the refrigerator (the price is indicated by the color of the ribbon). The selection of side dishes is not extensive but refined, including oden and miso-marinated cream cheese. Overall, the atmosphere is nice, with a focus on sake and side dishes, making it a great place for a quick visit. It's also interesting that you can choose from three different ways to pour your beer (Sapporo Classic). If I have the chance to visit Asahikawa at night again, I wouldn't mind starting at this place.

@Asahikawa City [Wasyu Sake Kakuchi Uedanokan] If you want to enjoy sake tasting in Asahikawa, this is the place to go! Perfect for a pre-party, a casual second round, or a satisfying end to the night in a stylish atmosphere. Share your favorite drinks with hashtags like #WasyuSakeKakuchiUedanokan #Uedanokan #MutsuHassenAppleale #59takachiyoAizan #TomiHitohoshi #Sanchosakurashuzo #Natsunonigori #KanjukuBananaKobo #Fujishuzo #Hoshitenkoro #Hokkaido #Asahikawa #BarHopping #LadderSake #LocalSake #JapaneseSake #Sake.

This is a review of a corner bar called Uetanakasato in Asahikawa, facing the pedestrian paradise of Heiwadori Shopping Park. As a matter of fact, Heiwadori Shopping Park is a 1km long street that gives off a park-like atmosphere, with various shops lining both sides. Among them, there are drinking establishments and izakayas that make the place lively and exciting to walk around at night. During the day, there are events, and at night, people enjoy themselves drinking outside. Asahikawa has beautiful scenery such as the park behind the station and the river, making it one of the wonderful cities in Japan. Uetanakasato is a liquor store with a standing bar area, which is much more authentic than typical standing bars. As you go further into the shop, you will find a clean and spacious standing bar area. There is a counter that can accommodate around 10 people, and in one corner, you can see inside the refrigerator. Inside, there is a wide selection of Japanese sake lined up. One of the great things is that local sake from the Asahikawa area is well represented. When it comes to Asahikawa, there is Masamune, Kokushimuso, and Kamikawa Ooyuki from Kamikawa Town. Almost all local sake is available here. This time, I tried all the sake from Kamikawa Ooyuki. There are five types of sake, such as Suisei and Kitashizuku, Junmai and Ginjo, each made with different types of rice and brewing methods. All of them have distinct flavors, aromas, and brewing differences, making them very well-crafted sake. I would have liked to try Masamune and Kokushimuso as well, but ran out of time. Finally, I ordered a beer, which also had options for two or three pours, but due to time constraints, I had to settle for a regular pour. The dishes served are also elaborate and delicious, with a variety of snacks such as mountain wasabi, sake lees cream cheese, thick-cut ham, and simmered beef tendon that all pair well with sake. In addition to sake, there is plum wine, wine, Mutsu Hachisend from Aomori, and Yamanashi from Hakkaisan in Niigata, offering a wide variety beyond Hokkaido. Next to the pedestrian paradise in Asahikawa, there is a standing bar open from the evening, where they cherish local Asahikawa sake and serve delicious snacks, creating a sake paradise. It is a great space recommended for people of all ages who love sake.

When guided down the back alley of the liquor store, you will find a standing bar. It's great to be able to try various types of Japanese sake. There are so many different kinds of sake, making it fun to compare and enjoy. The food is also delicious, all perfectly paired with the sake. It can get crowded, but it's a great place to have a casual drink and enjoy yourself.

I visited "Wasyoku Kakuda Ue Inaka" on this day. The shop is located in a corner of a bustling area about a 10-minute walk from Asahikawa Station, and I had heard about this stylish sake bar in Asahikawa before. I stopped by for a drink before heading to another location. When I entered the shop, it was a liquor store, but as I went further in, there was a corner for sake tasting! There was a large L-shaped standing counter, with a facing counter on the left side. In front of the counter, there was an old-fashioned cupboard filled with nice sake cups and plates, which gave a nice atmosphere. Behind the counter, there was a refrigerated case lined with rows of sake bottles, each with different colored ribbons (mizuhiki) indicating different prices. You can choose the sake you want and place it on the counter, and the staff will pour it for you. Since I had another place to go to, I couldn't stay long, but I had a single drink with their recommended oden. The staff, all women, were friendly and the service was comfortable. I would like to visit again and enjoy it more leisurely next time. Thank you for the meal! ★3.51-731

Welcome.---------- August 2021 ----------In front of Asahikawa Station, along Kaimono Koen Street, there is a suspicious facade here |o| °д°)ﾉGalararaDelivery leads to the back of the liquor store and if you follow the floor guide line, you will find yourself in a stylish yet slightly uncomfortable space (I had the image that izakayas had a lot of old buildings, but izakayas are the best~ with a variety of sake such as Shakotan's gin, sake server, and classic choices like pouring methods. "Ezo Bear" (= ´∀´)ﾉ凵゛Takasago Shuzo, Junmai sake, nama sake, and Aooni Ribbon were there~ So impressive~This glass cost about 3000 yen lolThe "Assorted 3 Appetizers"Pickles (onions, baby corn, cherry tomatoes, olives, refreshing taste with a strong acidity)Aonanban soy sauce pickles (super spicy but with the richness and flavor of soy sauce within the spiciness)Creamy and flavorful Kurichi (creamy cheese with a rich taste and the flavor and saltiness of consommé)If they are recommending something for the day, I wish they would have chosen one dish from there as well~For a ponzu sake accompaniment, I was looking for something with a stronger flavor ===========

In July 2021, while wandering around Asahikawa alone, I stumbled upon this place that caught my eye. It was a cozy little establishment called "Sake Bar Ueda" with a traditional Japanese atmosphere. The place was filled with a wide variety of sake brands, including some that I had never seen before. I was particularly excited to try the "Kamikawa Taisetsu" sake, which is famous in Hokkaido. The staff guided me to the seating area and explained how to choose sake from the showcase and order food from the menu. I ended up enjoying three different types of Kamikawa Taisetsu sake with some delicious snacks, thanks to the generosity of two gentlemen I struck up a conversation with. The experience was truly delightful, and I couldn't help but admire the stylish exterior of the place as I left. It must look even more charming with the snow-covered landscape in the background.

Today, I came to drink after a long time. The second place today was Ue Tanaka, where I enjoyed Japanese sake. Since the tasting was canceled last time due to the influence of the coronavirus during the sake brewery tour, I tried the ones I couldn't drink last time at Ue Tanaka. I entered through the back entrance where they sell tempo and enjoyed the sake at the standing counter. There are drawers on the counter with chopsticks, small plates, etc. Inside. The staff will guide you to your favorite counter. You can choose from the sake on the menu or the sake in the refrigerator and enjoy it at the counter. The sake has different colored ribbons, and the price varies depending on the color. For the first drink, I had a Dassai shochu with soda. It had a refreshing taste with the aroma of Japanese sake and a hint of the jockey flavor. For the second drink, I had "Dassai - Beyond" which had a purple ribbon. Purple usually means over 2400 yen, and it was just a small cup. But it was delicious. It was easy to drink and had a rich aftertaste. After that, I drank one sake after another and had a great time.

I had some free time so I decided to check out this place I've been curious about. The atmosphere is nice, the store is relatively new and very clean with a bright interior. The staff is friendly. The back corner of the store is a standing bar area, which was bustling with a few groups of customers. I ordered salted fish roe, which was delicious and went well with the sake. This was my first time at a standing bar, but it was great to be able to enjoy tasty sake in a casual setting during a short break. The explanations were easy to understand. It's a shame that they close relatively early at 9 pm.

I came to the night streets after a long time. I decided to go bar hopping since I had bought a local coupon and picked out the participating stores. I started with a standing bar to lift my spirits. I didn't come here with the intention of drinking like this. I'm always attending meetings, gatherings, parties, and celebrations. How long has it been since I came out personally? That's the feeling I had when I came here. I thought no one was at the entrance, but the standing bar was at the back of the store. It felt like I was coming to buy something naughty (laughs). It's nice not to be seen exposing yourself from outside. Now, there are too many types of alcohol to choose from (laughs). Of course, there are countless sake breweries and types of sake in the world, so it's better to decide by communicating your preferences with the staff rather than pretending to know everything. So, I chose Mutsu no Yasen, which is refreshing and light dry. The pink label is cute. It starts off sweet on the first sip, then the clear water goes smoothly down the throat. I also asked for another one that seemed like a fresh-pressed sake. Junmai muroka nama Okunokami is apparently from Higashimurayama in Tokyo. I didn't know there was a sake brewery in Tokyo. The first sip spreads a dazzling richness. For snacks, I mixed cream cheese with Sanmasu-zuke and Hakodate salted squid. The cheese goes well with the aroma of koji. I drink little by little while tasting them. The salted squid has a strong squid flavor. It goes perfectly with the sweet and salty taste as a sake companion. The owner recommended it to us because it goes well with the sake we are drinking, which was nice. The sake cup is a wooden glass from Jun Kobo in Asahikawa, Asahioka (Northern Arashiyama). It has become quite famous now, not only in the city's souvenir corner but also in liquor stores outside Hokkaido. Well, there's no need to linger at the standing bar. It was a good start for bar hopping. Oh, I'm also curious about the Yuki no Bosha beer...

On this day, I finished work in Asahikawa at 2:00 PM, so I decided to have a lunch drink and was walking in Kaimono Park when I saw a sign for a sake shop with a "kakoudachi" (standing bar) sign in front of it! Intrigued by the stylish atmosphere, I decided to go in. As I walked further into the shop from the sake shop, I saw a nice noren (shop curtain). Inside, there was a calm and well-designed space. It was almost empty as it was still daytime. I started with a Sapporo Classic beer poured three times, which apparently brings out the true bitterness of the beer when poured slowly in three stages. It takes quite some time. Along with that, I ordered some Ton Den Farm thick-cut raw ham and a potato salad from Yotsuba, a vegetable specialty store. The salad arrived first, followed by a long wait for the beer. When it finally arrived, the foam on the beer was strong and I was so thirsty that I gulped it down. The food was delicious. Then, I tried some hot sake, which is warmed directly in hot water to bring out the flavor. I also had Hassen's lightly carbonated sake and Yauyama's frozen sake, which can only be found in Hokkaido at this place. I added some deep-fried hanpen with mountain wasabi on top, which paired well with the comparison of small green onions and soy sauce. Lastly, I had some refined dashi soup. The bartender mentioned that this "kakoudachi" is the expression of the world of a 30-year-old sake enthusiast president's commitment. It left an impression on me. I imagine this place evolves every day. I would like to visit again if I have the chance.

Ueda Nokosan, a standing bar in Asahikawa that caught my attention as I passed by. There was a lively atmosphere with people enjoying their drinks. The prices of the sake are determined by the color of the ribbon wrapped around the bottle, and you can pick the sake you want from the fridge yourself. According to the owner, the prices are reasonable. I enjoyed a sweet sake while standing. It was delicious! The potato salad here is also a must-try. It was my first time tasting it, and it was delicious, living up to its reputation as a specialty dish.

Today is Rainbow Day. I wonder if there is a special day for rainbows... I thought it might be on February 4th because of the numbers 2 and 4, but it's different. It seems to be based on the wordplay of "nana (7) i (1) ro (6)" (seven colors) and the fact that big rainbows often appear in the sky around this time of year after the end of the rainy season. It is considered a day when people, nature, and generations are connected like the seven colors of a rainbow, symbolizing support between older and younger generations. There are music events and other activities planned for this day. However, this year many music events may be canceled. I visited a hidden gem in the shopping park for the second time. It doesn't seem so hidden anymore. Last time I went, it was near closing time, so this time I want to fully enjoy it. It was past 6:30 PM, but it was still bright outside, which was nice for drinking. When entering the store, I was greeted by a variety of Japanese sake. Seeing unfamiliar sake is always exciting. And further inside... it felt like the start of Space Mountain. The all-white walls seemed to draw me in, leading to the standing sake counter. It seems the hours have been extended. The store and standing bar now close at 9 PM. This allows salarymen to stop by for a drink on their way home from work. The store offers a wide selection of sake, each with a different colored ribbon indicating the price. I tried "Yamori Junmai Nakadori Mukujo Sei" for the first time. It's a famous sake from Higashimurayama, the hometown of the late Ken Shimura. It had a unique taste with a hint of bitterness that became intriguing after a few sips. The atmosphere inside the store was inviting, and the sake selection was impressive. I also had some potato salad from a vegetable specialty store called Yotsuba no Clover. It was different from the usual potato salad, with a light and refreshing taste that paired well with the sake. I also enjoyed some salted squid, which surprisingly complemented the sake. And the cream cheese with miso paste was a favorite of mine, not too spicy and perfect with sake. I tried a sake called "Kachiyama" which I think would pair well with the food. The sake had a rich flavor and went well with the dishes. Overall, it was a delightful experience trying different sakes and enjoying the unique atmosphere of the place.

Today is the day of the promulgation of the metric system. The day of the guts pose. It seems that the word "2 meters" is heard a lot now. I can't wait to defeat the coronavirus and do a guts pose. So, today is the day I decided to drink alcohol!! I was taken to a new restaurant. It's located beyond the Yaei Park 4th Street. When you go from the station, you can see an unfamiliar building on the right... Hmm, there are cedar balls hanging. The green cedar ball conveys the completion of new sake, while the brown one indicates the aging level of the new sake to passersby. However, some sake breweries and liquor stores continue to hang the same cedar ball for many years, so be careful about that. I wonder what it's like here. Do you drink sake? Today, where do you think it will rank? If it looks delicious, please press the "↓" button!! ⇒ Please press it once. Have you heard of "kakuchi"?? I've heard of clicking my tongue, but kakuchi is a cultural tradition that has been around since the Edo period, where commoners in Edo enjoyed sake purchased at a liquor store on the spot to boost their spirits. Nowadays, drinking sake at a liquor store's storefront is called kakuchi. I don't drink much sake, so I didn't know that. When I entered the store... many types of sake were lined up. I only drink sake once a month, but I actually like the taste of sake. By tasting it, I can remember the taste of sake I've had before. But what I feel most when drinking sake is that the water is delicious. That's why I like it. There were many types of sake, both familiar and unfamiliar. There were many types that I have never tried before. It's a difficult task to try them all. And... when I went deeper into the store... I was drawn in... There's something eerie about this space... I feel like I'm being pulled deeper and deeper... When I went further into the kakuchi area, there was a counter. There were a few customers ahead, but it was already 30 minutes before closing time. The closing time is 8 p.m. So, I came here with the intention of trying just one glass. I've never been to a place like this before, so I'm excited. The menu system changes the price based on the color of the ribbon. There are six types of sake ranging from 380 yen to 1980 yen for one glass. There are also designated brands of sake. Shochu and beer were also available. It's nice that there are soft drinks too. Of course, there were snacks. I wanted to try oden and other snacks, but I didn't have time before closing. It's funny that there's also tamago kake gohan. I guess we're going to end it here. I'll try ordering snacks next time. The snacks were arranged nicely. I thought it would be small, but it was a decent size. I was so impressed by this that I forgot to take a picture of it spread out. I should have taken a picture of it. Beer. It's the same beer, but it's actually different. What's different is the way it's poured. Indeed, the taste changes depending on how it's poured. More precisely, it's the mouthfeel. The brand of Sapporo Classic Beer is limited to Hokkaido, and there are three types of pouring: Ue (top), Nido (second), and Sando (third). The pouring time is different for each type. The top pouring takes 3 minutes, the second pouring takes 5 minutes, and the third pouring is shown in the photo on the left, while the second pouring is on the right. The way the foam rises is also different. The mouthfeel is indeed different, and I felt that the third pouring was richer. The pouring method is important. Hokkaido Sanshouzuke Cream Cheese I ordered only this snack to try. The presentation is also stylish. It feels like it's wrapped in seaweed and eaten. Delicious... When I first came to Hokkaido, I was fooled by Sanshouzuke. It's a preserved food made by pickling green onions, koji, and soy sauce in one shou (1.8 liters) each, and it's a local dish in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region. People outside of Hokkaido probably don't know about it. I was surprised that it was so spicy the first time I ate it. However, when combined with cream cheese, it becomes very mild. It's easy to eat with less fermented taste. This is great. Sake drinkers probably won't want to leave from here. Hakkaisan But... I can't help it, so I'll end it here.

You can enjoy standing bar drinking from 2pm to 8pm♪ There are few places in Asahikawa where you can drink during the day, and the last bus is also early, so you can start drinking early and avoid using a taxi to get home... How about starting your night here? This is my second visit, after dropping by during the pre-opening. - Hakkaisan Beer Sampler 380 yen The beer on tap seems to change each time, this time it was the RYDEEN BEER IPA. The foam disappeared while we were taking pictures and having fun... Even though the glass is small, it was only filled halfway (^-^; It was a bit bitter maybe? - Scallop dashi oden with sweet onions and cabbage 380 yen - Fried kamaboko 380 yen - Melting beef tendon 430 yen The elegant dashi broth is delicious♬ It would be nice if they could add a little twist to the presentation, like rolling the onions and cabbage like cabbage rolls (^-^; The fried kamaboko can also be found in local supermarkets... I wish we could try other varieties that are not easily available in stores... This time, I was asked to choose a sake, so I chose a good one for a tasting♪ - Mutsu Hassen RICE ALE 580 yen The amount is around 90cc to 100cc maybe? I was curious about this one! It's actually beer made from rice, not sake! So, it seems to be classified as a liqueur, and it's red! It tastes like it's in the middle of fermenting grapes to make wine. Maybe I was influenced by the appearance? (^-^; If you buy a 720ml bottle at the store, it costs 3300 yen! - Mutsu Hassen Fine Sake 580 yen This is a sake w. The sweet taste typical of Hassen♡ There was also a version with different rice used for the sake I brought to the gyoza shop before! - Tateyama River Mugabottle Junmai Daiginjo 580 yen The taste is similar to the clear one! I love this taste♬ - Tateyama River Black Bottle Junmai Daiginjo 580 yen It has some sweetness, but also some acidity and bitterness maybe? This one costs 2035 yen if you buy it at the store. You can also buy it and bring it here to drink! In that case, there is a corkage fee of 600 yen per bottle. The same sake costs 5000 yen at the gyoza shop. If you can resist standing drinking, I recommend drinking here♬

Ueda-san is the only liquor store in Hokkaido that wholesales Ura-Hassen. They also offer Yonemaru's Eight Seas Mizore, which can only be enjoyed in Hokkaido at Ueda-san. They have other great selections as well. From Asahikawa furniture to local sake, and even snacks made with local ingredients, this shop is excellent.