More than 100 sakes, a refrigerator full of bottles, and the freedom to pour your own tasting flights: this is a relaxed way to explore Japanese sake without committing to a single bottle. I like the chance to taste across styles, and the friendly staff can help you find a starting point if sake terms feel like a foreign language. Bring food, since the venue offers only light snacks.
I also like that you can make this an unhurried evening rather than a formal tasting. The bar allows outside food, and you may be able to stay for up to five hours on weekdays. One thing to plan for: the Shinjuku entrance can be easy to miss, and the age rules are inconsistent in the activity information, so confirm the minimum age before booking.
- A sake bar with room to experiment
- Start with a taste, not a sake vocabulary lesson
- Choose your own route through the refrigerator
- Settle in, and make it dinner if you like
- Pick Shinjuku or Akihabara with care
- How the price earns its place in your evening
- A warm, informal setting, with a few limits
- Know the rules before you book
- Who should book this sake session?
- FAQ
- How many types of sake can I try?
- Where are the two locations?
- How long can I stay?
- Can I bring food?
- Are staff able to help me choose sake?
- What does the standard package include?
- What is the minimum age?
- What happens if I arrive late?
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A sake bar with room to experiment
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9 / 9- More than 100 sakes: Sample different styles from across Japan, with the selection varying by what is stocked.
- Self-serve pours: Choose from the refrigerator and taste at your own pace, rather than following a fixed guided flight.
- Helpful recommendations: Ask staff for suggestions based on your preferences. Hisui is one staff member noted for answering questions patiently.
- Bring your own food: Pack snacks or a meal, or arrange delivery. The bar sells only light snacks.
- Two Tokyo locations: Choose between Shinjuku and Akihabara, and check the address carefully before setting out.
- A sake cup to take home: The standard package includes a souvenir cup. A separate option adds two 60ml pours of premium sake.
👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Guided Tours In Tokyo
Start with a taste, not a sake vocabulary lesson
This is not a lecture about rice polishing ratios or a formal sit-down tasting with a set sequence. You enter a bar, get an explanation of how the self-service setup works, and then choose drinks from the available selection. Staff can point out options and offer recommendations, but you set the pace.
That flexible format makes the outing approachable if you are new to sake. You can try a small amount, note what you like, and use taste descriptions or staff advice to make your next choice. Some bottles have labels or guidance to help you compare flavors, though the amount of explanation may not answer every question about how a sake is made.
The selection is described as more than 100 types, and some visitors have counted more than 150 alcoholic drinks at the bar. The exact range can change, so think of the number as a sign of variety rather than a promise that every bottle will be there on your visit. Alongside sake, the assortment may include drinks such as shochu, wine, beer, fruit liqueurs, and mixers.
You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in Tokyo
Choose your own route through the refrigerator
The main pleasure here is having plenty of chances to compare. Rather than ordering one full glass and hoping for the best, you can sample different sakes and work out whether you prefer something light, dry, sweet, sparkling, or fruit-forward. That freedom is useful when you are still learning what you like.
You may also find ways to mix drinks using the available mixers and cocktail guidance. Some people use the bar to try combinations they would not order in a regular restaurant. There may be non-sake options too, but this is first and foremost an alcohol tasting, not a broad drinks-free activity.
If you have a favorite style in mind, tell a staff member before you start pouring. The staff are described as friendly and willing to recommend bottles, and a helpful nudge can save you from wandering the shelves without a plan. If you do not know the difference between dry and fruity, say so plainly. You do not need to arrive as a sake expert.
Settle in, and make it dinner if you like
The generous time allowance changes the feel of the outing. On weekdays, the stay can run up to five hours, according to the activity details, and some people spend several hours sampling and talking with their group. Check the session conditions for your date, since the exact time limit and last order matter.
Food is an important part of the plan. You can bring your own meal or snacks, and food delivery to the venue is also an option. The bar itself sells only light snacks, so do not count on it for a full dinner. A nearby convenience store or supermarket can be a practical stop before you arrive.
Eating alongside tasting also helps make the evening more comfortable. Sake is still alcohol, and an all-you-can-drink format is not a challenge to see how much you can consume. Sip, take breaks, and drink water if available. The venue prohibits chugging and excessive drinking, and staff can ask anyone who appears intoxicated to leave.
Pick Shinjuku or Akihabara with care
The Shinjuku location is at 6F, Watasei Tama Building, 3-9-9 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. One practical wrinkle is that the entrance and small elevator can be easy to pass, so allow a little extra time to find the building and reach the sixth floor. Do not assume the bar will be obvious from street level.
The Akihabara branch is at 10F, HULIC & New AKIHABARA, 4-4-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku. Confirm that your booking is for the branch you intend to visit, and use the map provided with your reservation. Clear directions matter here: arriving at the wrong branch or failing to find the entrance could cost you the session.
The activity information says the meeting point is in Shinjuku Ward, while also listing an Akihabara store. Treat your selected branch and its address as the key details, and double-check them before travel. If your group wants to sit together, make one combined reservation. Separate bookings may not result in a shared table.
How the price earns its place in your evening
Prices start at $27.79, which can be good value if you plan to taste several different drinks rather than have a single glass. The appeal is not simply the number of bottles. You are paying for the freedom to compare, return to a favorite, ask for advice, and spend a good part of an evening at the bar.
The standard package includes the all-you-can-drink tasting and a souvenir sake cup. There is also a package that adds two 60ml glasses of premium sake. That upgrade may suit you if you are curious about a more distinctive or aged sake, but choose it for the tasting opportunity, not because you need more alcohol.
Value depends on how you use the visit. If you arrive after a large dinner, have little interest in sampling, or leave early, the all-you-can-drink format may be less compelling. If you bring food, take small pours, and enjoy comparing styles with friends, the price can cover a full evening of activity rather than a quick drink.
You can also read our reviews of more drinking tours in Tokyo
A warm, informal setting, with a few limits
The bar is small and described as cozy, not a sprawling tasting hall. That can make it feel comfortable for a quiet outing, but it also means the room is not suited to loud group behavior. Keep your conversation at a considerate volume and avoid approaching other tables unless they welcome it.
Staff assistance is a real asset, especially when you are unsure what to choose. Hisui has been noted for patiently answering questions, and the staff generally help visitors understand the setup and recommend drinks. English-speaking staff are listed, though the level of English may vary. One practical note: written explanations and menus may not be available in every language.
The atmosphere is self-directed, not a guided class. If you want a detailed lesson on brewing, regional history, or production methods, this may not go far enough. If you want to learn through tasting and questions, it offers a more casual route.
Know the rules before you book
The age information is contradictory: one section says participants must be 20 or older, while another says only customers aged 21 or older are permitted. It also says minors and infants are not allowed and that customers accompanied by anyone under 20 cannot enter. Confirm the rule directly before booking if anyone in your party is close to the age threshold.
Arrive on time. If you are more than 60 minutes late, the reservation may be canceled without a refund. The voucher is valid only on its specified date and time, and the stated cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, in local time.
Outside food is welcome, but bringing your own alcoholic drinks is prohibited. Smoking inside is not allowed, and the venue may refuse entry to someone who appears intoxicated before arrival. Same-day purchases of snacks and confectionery are cashless only. These rules are straightforward, but worth knowing before you make the bar your dinner plan.
Who should book this sake session?
I would book it if you are curious about sake, enjoy sampling several styles, or want a social evening that is less structured than a guided tasting. It also works well for a group with mixed levels of experience, since beginners can ask for recommendations while sake fans can explore independently.
It is less suitable if you want a formal class, a full meal included in the price, or a quiet private room. It is also not a good choice if your group expects to drink heavily. The rules call for responsible tasting, and the experience is best when you treat the bottles as a chance to compare flavors, not a contest.
Book it if the self-serve format, food flexibility, and broad selection fit your evening. Before paying, verify your branch, confirm the age requirement, and decide whether the souvenir cup package or premium pours better match your interests.
All-You-Can-Drink Japanese Sake Experience (Tokyo)
“Many sakes available for tasting, with a wide variety of types as well. There were six of us with very little knowledge of sake, and we all found o…”
FAQ
How many types of sake can I try?
The bar is described as offering more than 100 types of sake. The selection can vary, and the venue may also have other alcoholic drinks and mixers.
Where are the two locations?
The Shinjuku address is 6F, Watasei Tama Building, 3-9-9 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. The Akihabara address is 10F, HULIC & New AKIHABARA, 4-4-2 Sotokanda, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.
How long can I stay?
The activity allows up to five hours of tasting, and the details note that this applies on weekdays. Check the time conditions for your booking, including last order.
Can I bring food?
Yes. Outside food is allowed, and delivery to the venue is also an option. The bar sells only light snacks.
Are staff able to help me choose sake?
Yes. Japanese-speaking and English-speaking staff are listed, and staff can recommend drinks. English ability may vary.
What does the standard package include?
The standard package includes the all-you-can-drink tasting and a souvenir sake cup. A separate package includes two 60ml glasses of premium sake.
What is the minimum age?
The activity information conflicts: it states both 20+ and 21+. It also says minors and infants are not allowed. Confirm the minimum age with the provider before booking.
What happens if I arrive late?
If you do not arrive within 60 minutes of your reservation time, the booking may be canceled without a refund.
