I didn't have any plans. I was supposed to walk to Shiraishi as usual, but I walked a lot during the day at work and the heat was too much, so I decided to take the train from Naebo Station. I didn't know where to go, but I ended up in a sake shop that seemed to recommend delicious sake served warm. Today, I decided not to have warm sake. - Kamikawa Taisetsu Junmai Daiginjo (Hokkaido) 500 yen. I recently saw news about my alma mater making sake. It was my first time trying it, and it had a deep, sweet flavor that enveloped me. - Smoked Set 650 yen. Products from a smoked food shop in Iwamizawa, a chance encounter! Smoked salmon, soybeans, and mackerel. Smoked food is perfect as a snack, delicious! - Nigorizake (Nara Prefecture) 400 yen. Super dry, recommended by the shop owner for a hot day. I love this! I still prefer dry sake. But this sake has a good balance of dryness and umami. Uh oh, I need to stop now or I won't be able to make it home! Thank you for the meal!

Sapporo City, Kita 2 Higashi 11. Along Kita 3 Jo Street. In front of the newly renovated (2018) Naeho Station. A proper standing bar run by a liquor store that I had wanted to visit for a long time. There is a noren (curtain) in front of the store that says "Koma Kura," a brand from the brewery "Mori no Kura" in Fukuoka Prefecture. I didn't know about this brand until I saw the noren of this store. By the way, Kyushu is amazing. From Fukuoka to Saga, the culture of sake in the north and shochu in the south is deeply rooted. An island for drinkers (a compliment). I entered around 5:30 pm. There were no customers in front or behind me. It's not a standing bar or a bar, but a complete standing-style bar. That's good. There seems to be a lot of sake from western Japan. They have famous brands like "Taketsuru" and also local Hokkaido sake. The food selection is quite extensive for a standing bar. I wonder if it goes well with sake? There are even some quite unusual items. The recommended drinks here are often served cold or warm. Well, that makes sense. The culture of cold sake may be relatively shallow compared to warm sake. You pay in advance and pay at the counter, and the owner pours the sake into a guinomi (sake cup). I ordered the sake I was curious about. The guinomi is large. They pour about 7-8 shaku of a 180ml cup. What's even more unusual is that you can use an electric kettle to warm up the sake yourself with a chiller. ・Koma Kura Zen Junmai Sake (Fukuoka / Mori no Kura Co., Ltd.) It's good to drink as is or as a sake with food, but the flavor of the rice spreads when slightly warmed. I tried it up to a lukewarm temperature, and the potential is shown around that temperature. The style of being able to warm it up yourself is good. And it's quite easy and authentic. For the second cup, I also tried "Koma Kura." ・Koma Kura Junmai Sake (Fukuoka / Mori no Kura Co., Ltd.) Brewed in 2015, a 3-year-old sake from 2018. It has a slightly amber color. Delicious. It's already good when cold, but the flavor spreads in your mouth when warmed up. A moderate warm temperature seems appropriate. I wanted to talk to the owner about various things, but it seemed like they had a meeting with a supplier or something, and they looked very busy. I would like to ask about sake next time. It's fun to walk to this place. Thank you for the meal.

I bought a one-liter bottle of Kume Kudan Brewing beer, Tenji Kyokujitsu, and drank it at home with Kaimono Junmai Kairyo Omachi 70 origarami nama 29BY shikomi 28. There was also 27BY available, but on this day, I enjoyed it with Kairyo Omachi 70. When the aging process is too advanced, it may become more suitable for post-meal rather than with food, so I made this choice. The meal at home included Kanazawa hair crab and more.

In 2018, I received a large amount of money as a gift for giving birth. I decided to buy gifts for my father-in-law and mother-in-law. Unsure of what to buy, I consulted with Kumioko Okake. "Hmm, how about alcohol for your father-in-law?" I followed the advice and took a train to buy alcohol. Since I was buying alcohol for my father-in-law, the destination was Gifu. Gifu is far away, and I didn't have much money, so I took a local train. The station attendant warned me that it might take a while, but I was determined to go. I first took a train to Sapporo from Kuwazon. The journey took 3 minutes due to the point switches on the tracks. Then, I transferred to a train to Tomakomai. The first stop was Naeho, and the journey took 3 minutes due to the point switches. I arrived at Naeho and went to a liquor store called "Kokai Shoten." I enjoyed some beer and sake to refresh myself. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to Gifu, so I apologized to my father-in-law with the alcohol from Naeho.

I will be driven to Sapporo by car. However, due to the driver's schedule, I will arrive early and cannot check in at the hotel. It's only 12 o'clock, so I'm looking for a place to kill time. Shopping? Cafe? No, no... let's drink! I headed to a liquor store near Naebo Station, which is right next to Sapporo Station. They have standing drinking from 12 o'clock on Saturdays. I was recommended some rare beer brands, but I chose to try 3 types of sake instead. I was recommended a newly arrived sake, but I opted for a beginner-friendly one. I tried three different types of sake in stages, and found that the second one had the strongest flavor. You can warm up the sake yourself using a hot water pot on the table with a thermometer. The recommended temperature is 50 degrees Celsius. Be careful, as the sake warms up quickly due to the small amount. I also ordered a charcuterie set, which was a selection of bite-sized portions. The owner was friendly and explained about the sake, making it a pleasant experience even for someone dining alone. The restaurant seems to have a strong commitment to quality, but the owner's soft and welcoming approach makes it a great place to visit. There are also JR and bus timetables posted on the wall. Maybe I'll go to a second lunch spot near the bus center for some more day drinking! (laughs)

5th time - Kamikawa Taeyuki Special Junmai Suisei - Support Sake "Tomorei (Flay! Flay!)" - Made with live yeast - Charcuterie tail's Boudin Noir The pleasure when two favorite restaurants are connected without permission is irresistible for food lovers. I was able to drink the Junmai Daiginjo Minamihoro Suisei from Kamikawa Taeyuki standing, but I bought a 4-gou bottle. You can't buy it at a regular liquor store.

Miyaho Station is in a very convenient location. It's perfect for having a quick drink and heading home. Cold sake is great, but during hot weather, it would be nice to have chilled sake on the menu as well.

I enjoyed craft beer and snacks at a standing bar. The blood sausage made of pork was delicious. The craft beer had a taste that I liked, it was really delicious. I want to go again soon. Next time, I want to try Japanese sake too.

The 6th anniversary event at Shinmae Ho Station was a success. We tried a tasting set of 600 Hinomaru Kura, Kokonoe, Ozasaya, and Taketsuru (served warm). There was also a surprise service of sake lees potage, which was amazing and different from amazake. The food menu (snacks) has improved significantly, with a high-quality selection that even satisfies those who are particular about their sake choices.

It's a unique specialty store in a liquor shop where you can try aged sake. The lineup is impressive, similar to Vanjo or Clos des Sérans wines. They have rare options like "Taketsuru" from Hokkaido, and their "Suiryu" is a personal favorite. The aged sake is rich, a bit astringent, and has a barrel aroma. The pairing with food, like simmered dishes or miso-marinated foods, is surprising but fantastic. The location is convenient, right in front of Nayoshi Station, but be careful on the way back as there are no traffic lights. Overall, it's a place worth visiting for a unique experience with aged sake.

Due to the earthquake, the planned event was also abandoned and I am feeling down. There are rumors that this is the last summer day in Sapporo, so I decided to visit Kikubotan Brewery in Kamifurano that I saw on Facebook. I tried their Lager type beer with 5.3% alcohol content and 38 IBU (International Bitterness Units) (the IBU of major beer companies is usually around 20). It had a bitterness that suited the summer and a refreshing feeling afterwards. Lager is better than Ale on hot days like this!

The third time, the newly renovated Naeho Station is starting to take shape. During the spinning top warehouse strengthening week, I tried three different types, all priced the same at 500 yen each. Whether it's Junmai-shu "Shikamo," Junmai Ginjo "Enjuku," or Junmai Koshu "Yu," the quality is consistent. As you go down the list, the sake becomes easier to drink. My palate seems to have become quite refined, probably due to my increasing consumption of Shaoxing wine. I find that aged Japanese sake is much clearer in comparison. On September 9th, there will be a sake warming event at the Hokkaido Jingu's Tonomiya, organized by this liquor store. Sake lovers, why not come and enjoy some sake during the day?

Close to Miaoho Station, there is a shop called "Koizai Shoten" which operates as a liquor store and also sells alcohol. Recently, there has been an increase in "standing bar" style establishments, but this shop is a traditional liquor store. In Kyushu and Kansai, it is called "Tachinomi," while in Tohoku, it is called "Mokkiri." The concept of "standing and drinking" may have slight differences between regions. At Koizai Shoten, you can try a set of three different sake brands, including seasonal limited editions. The atmosphere inside the shop is like a typical liquor store, with simple tables set up for customers to stand and enjoy their drinks. I tried a set of three sake brands, along with a delicious cheese dish. The experience was delightful, especially with the "Kitashizuku" sake from Hokkaido, which is ranked second in Hokkaido's sake ranking. Overall, it was a great experience, and I will definitely visit again when I have the chance.

We also sell alcohol and offer standing bar service. Payment is made per order. Baby strollers are allowed in the establishment. The portion size per drink is small: - Kamikawa Taisetsu Junmai Ginjo "Kitashizuku" 400 yen - Kamikawa Taisetsu Daiginjo "Kitashizuku" 500 yen - Takeno En Special Junmai Sake 300 yen This week was the "Dobu Fair" featuring Kubo Honke Sake Brewery's products: - Yamato Dobu Small 300 yen - Nama Moto Dobu +16 Small 300 yen There were many other types of sake available. The water served is made with Chitose Tsuru water. For food, there is: - Hokkaido delicacies and sweets assortment 600 yen - Kanemura's "toba" from Nemuro was particularly good - parkDELI's quiche with salmon 500 yen - Gurumaki sausages from Tadokoro, a meat shop in Toyako 500 yen There was also cheese available. There are no cooked dishes available, so I couldn't have my beloved ham cutlet (laughs). The quality of the alcohol served here is top-notch.

Naeho Station will be relocated to the west in November 2018. A liquor store in front of the new Naeho Station has been renovated ahead of time. They have opened a standing bar corner from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM, where you can enjoy "kakudachi" (standing and drinking). I visited the store before the renovation started and was surprised to find a wide variety of Japanese sake available. They have many sakes that are perfect for warm sake. I purchased a 17-year-old matured sake called Suiryu in a one-liter bottle. It's like the Vanjoune of wines. It's rare to find a place where you can drink this. While it's uncertain if you can drink the 17BY at the standing bar, it seems possible with the 19BY. It's definitely going to become the top standing bar for Japanese sake in Sapporo.

Since the renovation and the addition of a standing bar space, I haven't had the chance to visit "Koigai Shoten" at the right time, but I have been a frequent visitor for a few years now. The shop's blog often introduces various types of sake, as well as pairing sake with sushi and hosting tasting events. It has become well-known among hardcore sake enthusiasts. They also supply sake to restaurants in Sapporo, and their selection of sake that goes well with hot sake is impressive. I usually go by car, so I haven't had the opportunity to taste their sake, but when my wife drove us nearby, we stopped by and enjoyed some sake and snacks for a short time. I asked the shop owner about the sake's details and learned more about them. I bought a 720ml bottle that I liked and enjoyed it at home with dishes I made. The area around Naebo Station is developing and will be an exciting place in the future. I hope more restaurants will open. I found some old photos of tasting sake and the sake I purchased, so I'm sharing them. Among the various types of alcohol from around the world, such as beer, wine, and whiskey, only sake can be enjoyed at different temperatures, revealing the nuances of its flavor. I love the words of the late Hiroshi Uehara, "Sake is pure rice, and it's even better when warm." I used to dislike hot sake, but my perception changed after drinking high-quality sake. While I enjoy drinking high-priced pure rice daiginjo sake if I can afford it, I may prefer pure rice sake. Well, that's the same with wine and beer, right?