I had been curious about this restaurant due to media exposure, but I had never had the chance to visit before. However, on my way back from Nijo, I happened to come across it and couldn't resist stopping by for a drink. I tried the original Jotan Kiku half cup for 400 yen. The rain had stopped and I was surrounded by the refreshing evening air of spring, which was quite pleasant. I look forward to coming back next time for a tasting comparison.

Visited for the first time at around 1:23 pm on a Saturday in October 2022. "Nishimoto Saketen" is a liquor store located about a 5-minute walk west from Karasuma Oike Station on the subway. I had passed by the front of the store several times in the past and felt that it was not just an ordinary place. After seeing a post by Mr. Arubos, I learned that you can drink sake here, so I decided to stop by. There was a person drinking alone inside. I entered the store and spoke to the owner, and ordered a draft beer (Heartland draft beer: 400 yen * Prices have been revised since October) from the casual drinking menu written on the whiteboard outside, and enjoyed it at the outdoor seating area. (The owner was very friendly by the way) It was a bit warm for October, but in the shade, the humidity had dropped a bit and a pleasant breeze was blowing, so I was able to enjoy drinking outside very comfortably. I had a pleasant drink for about 20 minutes. Thank you for the meal!

A few years ago, I noticed a quaint old-fashioned establishment standing out in the modern streets of southeast Nijo Castle. The outdoor tables displayed a variety of drinks like draft beer and sake, all priced at 300 yen each. Upon entering, I learned that the shop, run by the third-generation owner, Mr. Nishimoto, has a long history dating back to 1892 when it started as a sake brewery before transitioning into a liquor store after the war. The menu offered a selection of drinks and snacks, and I tried their original sake called "Jo Son Giku Junmai" for 300 yen, which had a balanced flavor profile with a hint of acidity and sweetness. I also learned that this sake was revived in 2002 by Kitazake Brewery in Shiga Prefecture. The cozy atmosphere and friendly conversation with Mr. Nishimoto made for a delightful experience under the single lantern. The shop sells a variety of sake from Shiga and Kyoto, maintaining its traditional roots as a former sake brewery. The daily lineup included a selection of sake brands, and sometimes wine is also available. The shop is non-smoking and operates from noon to 7 pm (8 pm on Saturdays), offering reasonably priced drinks and a casual setting for enjoying a quick drink or purchasing sake to-go, conveniently located near Nijo Castle and Sanjo Shopping Street.