After completing the furious 8 flights between JGC Series 71 Okusube and 4 airports in Hokkaido, I returned to my hotel feeling a bit dizzy. I walked back, stopping at a FamilyMart along the way to do some shopping. Once I returned to my room and dropped off my belongings, I headed down to the izakaya on the first floor. They had recommended dishes, so I tried a tasting set with alternating A and B drinks, starting with appetizers and ending with dipping soba noodles in sesame soup. There were a few solo diners in the restaurant, and the dishes were all refined and delicious. The conversation with the staff was enjoyable. A fun evening with delicious food, a great way to recharge for tomorrow.

It's almost time for year-end parties, or maybe just regular drinking parties. I'm a fan of alcohol, so I can manage, but it's starting to feel a bit tough with two more to go this week. So, tonight I went to Asuka. They have a wide variety of Japanese sake and delicious food. They serve homemade tofu, marinated mackerel, stir-fried hormone, and more, all of which were delicious. The only downside is that it's far from Susukino, and we had to take the subway to get to the second party. Thank you for the meal.

This is my second time here. I had dinner and enjoyed some cured mackerel and ginkgo nuts as snacks while drinking. Japanese sake is truly delicious. The customer service here is fantastic. The attentiveness and tone of the waitress are exceptional. I left feeling good. I was so full that I forgot to eat the soba.

This is a shop located on the first floor of a hotel just a short walk from Shindo Higashi Station. Inside the shop, various types of Japanese sake are lined up, making you feel excited. They also offer a great deal on sake tasting sets, which is very reasonable. Moreover, you can enjoy the hand-made soba noodles made by the shop manager. The hospitality of the staff is also exceptional. It's a very relaxing and soothing place to visit.

There are 4 different types of sake to compare when drinking. The photo does not include "Tanoshu". It happened to be included. It is appreciated that the prices are reasonable and not too high. The pickled mackerel and deep-fried tofu were delicious. I would like to try the soba noodles next time!

In Sapporo, there is a Ponshu (local sake) bar with a pretty impressive selection of Ponshu. It had been a while since I last visited, and I noticed a change in staff from younger girls to more mature women. The lively atmosphere of the place was nice before, but now it has a certain sophistication and authority to it, with a touch of a female sake sommelier vibe. While the selection was good before, the appetizers didn't really hit the spot for me. The breakfast buffet level was decent, even though it's a business hotel. This time, it seems like they have seriously upped their game with unique and bold dishes like hand-cut soba noodles (very different and hardcore) and flavorful Oden. They also serve homemade Shime Saba. There were also a few female customers, whereas before it seemed like it was mostly younger girls. Overall, I have to give it a high rating. It's a hidden gem in Shinmichihigashi, a reasonable place with a rich content. In the end, we ended up going to two places and had about 8-9 cups in total. It was a great drinking experience, with rare sake for the first time. Despite the hangover, I had a great time. I'm a hopeless drinker. In the end, we ended up getting off at Toyosui Susukino. I'm a disgraceful old man. Haha, laughing it off (am I trying to hide my embarrassment?).

During this visit back home, we didn't eat out much, but we felt like going for a drink somewhere. My wife suggested this place. It was close to our home and I had been curious about it, but once I got home, I tended to become a bit of a homebody. We finished dinner early and around 8 o'clock, we decided to take a walk and check out the place. The hotel where this restaurant is located has changed ownership several times in the past, but it has been running smoothly under its current name. On the right side of the hotel entrance on the first floor, there is a fresh pasta restaurant called "Pasta Donor" and "Asuka" opened last winter on the left side. When I searched for it online, I found that it is a Japanese sake bar, and it even popped up on the Facebook page of "Hayasaka Liquor Store," which I sometimes visit. They also offer limited edition sake like "Hokuto Suison" from Kobayashi Sake Brewery in Kuriyama, Hokkaido. So, I assumed that they source their alcohol from there. With high expectations, I walked in and immediately noticed the smell of cigarette smoke and the TV playing, giving off a pub-like vibe. Unfortunately, I already had a feeling that the selection of Japanese sake was not going to be great. There were a few people at the counter and a couple in the booths, but no one seemed to be drinking sake. I wanted to see the variety of sake they had, but when I sat at a booth, the view of the refrigerated case was blocked by the large bottles of shochu lined up on the counter, making it impossible to see. I had to choose blindly from the menu. My wife ordered a sake tasting set. The price was reasonable, and each glass in the tasting set was clearly labeled, making it beginner-friendly. However, the sake I ordered was poured at the counter without showing me the actual bottle, so I had no idea what I was drinking or its specifications. Instead of explaining the characteristics of each sake as they serve it, they should at least show the bottle to assure customers they are getting what they ordered, whether it's sake or wine. The service was not bad. In fact, the staff were very polite, likely due to the hotel setting, which was pleasant. However, the bar lacks the fundamental principles of serving Japanese sake. It's not about reciting knowledge about the sake they have but rather creating an environment where customers can truly enjoy sake. It's a shame that they haven't mastered this aspect. Perhaps they cater more to regular customers, and as long as they don't focus on sake, it could be a nice place for locals to spend time.

The entrance is very welcoming, and the interior of the restaurant is calm. The display of sake bottles is nice. They have a good selection of Japanese sake at reasonable prices. The appetizers were German potatoes and another dish (I don't remember...), both were good accompaniments to the drinks. The thick omelette was decent, and the sweet potato tempura was generous considering its price (around 480 yen). I'm interested in trying more of their food and drinks, so I would like to visit this restaurant again.

I learned about Hotel Yukita's small and cozy ponshu bar on the first floor through Tabelog, and it boasts an impressive selection of premium sake. The service is provided by beautiful young girls who are both lovely and charming. The food and drinks are decent, but there is room for improvement. The blind tasting challenge of limited edition and seasonal sakes can be difficult, but this bar is a great place to learn. Despite the lack of reviews, this establishment is a hidden gem in Hokkaido. The collection and variety of sake available here is truly impressive. Cheers to that! However, the prices are surprisingly affordable, making it easy to indulge in more drinks than intended. The option of half-sized servings is perfect for those who want to try a variety of sakes. Overall, it's a heavenly place for sake enthusiasts.