When passing by in a car, I saw a flag for local sake. I visited the sake specialty store on foot later, where I could try and purchase Japanese sake. I tried the Yashinotomo hiyaoroshi first. It had a strong taste at first, but became refreshing and mellow with the second cup. Then, I tried the Tamazakura hiyaoroshi. It was much milder, with a softness that comes from aging until autumn. This sake store is great for finding your favorite sake by trying different ones. I focused on new autumn sake this time, only trying two brands from Toyama, but you can ask the owner to select based on your preference. It takes courage and involves risk to buy an unfamiliar brand in a large bottle, but here you can try before you buy, so it's reassuring. Located at 2-14-24 Sagisu, Fukushima-ku, Osaka City.

The second stop on the Fukushima tour was Haretoke as planned. Although it is originally a sake retail store, they also have a counter where you can do paid tastings inside the store. You can bring your own food as well. They have a spectacular selection of rare sake lined up. The owner is very polite and even gave a tour of the cellar to us, two slightly tipsy customers. They recommended the Ikegumo sake, and we enjoyed a toast surrounded by many different kinds of sake. We had a great time chatting with the owner about sake. It was a perfect accompaniment to our drinks.