If you could turn on a tap and have sake come out… for sake lovers, that’s a dream worth having at least once. In Niigata, Japan’s famous rice-producing region, there’s a place that makes that dream come true. At the “Ponshukan” facilities inside Niigata Station, Nagaoka Station, and Echigo-Yuzawa Station, you can sample over 100 varieties of sake for just 500 yen per five cups!
With so many varieties to choose from, it can be hard to decide. This time, we’ll introduce 10 selections recommended by S-san, a certified Kikisake-shi (sake sommelier).
What is Ponshukan?
Ponshukan, located in Niigata Station, Nagaoka Station, and Echigo-Yuzawa Station, offers a tasting bar where you can sample 111 varieties of sake (as of July 2022). You borrow an ochoko (small sake cup), exchange 500 yen (the price for five servings, as of July 2022) for five tokens, and insert the tokens into a machine that dispenses your chosen sake.
The sake lineup changes from time to time, so every visit to Niigata could bring new discoveries.
For those who don’t drink alcohol, there are also snacks such as rice crackers and non-alcoholic drinks like Yukiiro Soda available.
Kikisake-shi Recommended Niigata Sake #1 – Miyao Brewery “Shimeharitsuru Jun Junmai Ginjo”
First is the “Shimeharitsuru Jun Junmai Ginjo” from Miyao Brewery in Murakami City, Niigata.
This sake offers a gentle aroma and a savory rice flavor. It has the crisp, clean finish characteristic of Niigata sake, pairs well with any appetizer, and never gets boring. It is brewed with the sake rice variety “Gohyakumangoku,” known for producing a clean and refreshing taste. While it is a junmai ginjo sake, it also tastes delicious when gently warmed. A fail-safe choice, this is truly a flagship representative of Niigata sake.
Kikisake-shi Recommended Niigata Sake #2 – Kirinzan Brewery “Yawaraka Junmai”
Next is “Yawaraka Junmai” from Kirinzan Brewery in Aga Town.
It has a light yet mellow impression, combining rice-derived umami with a refreshing finish—perfect for a daily evening drink. This is Kirinzan’s signature sake. The brewery says, “Because we want you to drink it every day, we pursue a light, dry taste that doesn’t get tiring.” While dining sakes that can be drunk like white wine are trending nationwide, this sake has a flavor that is distinctly Japanese. It’s not a mass-market national brand, but rather a “jizake” (local sake) beloved in its home region.
Kikisake-shi Recommended Niigata Sake #3 – Kikusui Brewery “Kikusui no Junmaishu”
Next is “Kikusui no Junmaishu” from Kikusui Brewery in Shibata City, Niigata Prefecture.
This is a rich-flavored sake with a strong taste of rice. While full-bodied, it has a drinkable quality without feeling too heavy. It’s a sake recommended for those who are already accustomed to drinking Japanese sake. With both crispness and depth, it pairs easily with any dish and can be enjoyed across a wide range of temperatures. It’s especially recommended in the cold winter months, served hot alongside Niigata’s fatty fish. This is a fine example of a “kan-agari” sake—one that becomes even more delicious when warmed.
Kikisake-shi Recommended Niigata Sake #4 – Tenryohai Brewery “Tenryohai Junmaishu”
Also recommended is “Tenryohai Junmaishu” from Tenryohai Brewery in Sado.
This brewery became instantly famous when it was taken over by the youngest brewery owner in Japan at the time—just 24 years old. The owner explains, “We need a sake that young people will think tastes great from the very first sip. We aim for sake that focuses on a unique sweetness.” This is a brewery to watch in the coming years. Tenryohai Junmaishu has a restrained aroma and can be enjoyed both chilled and warmed. As one of the core products of a brewery that makes a wide variety of sake, it’s definitely worth trying.
Kikisake-shi Recommended Niigata Sake #5 – “Wine Yeast Brewed Junmai Ginjo”
From Niigata City, the prefectural capital, comes a unique type of sake.
Instead of using yeast for brewing sake, this is made with wine yeast. Wine yeast tends to produce a fruity acidity, and this sake showcases that characteristic well, offering a flavor profile not found in traditional sake. It combines robust rice umami, a sweet aroma, and a refreshing tartness.
It’s a sake you’ll want to enjoy well chilled, in a wine glass. This flavor reflects recent trends beautifully and is a great choice for beginners who are not yet accustomed to Japanese sake.
Kikisake-shi Recommended Niigata Sake #6 – Shirataki Brewery “Jozen Mizunogotoshi Junmai Ginjo”
We’ve gone through five of the ten selections, and now we move into the second half! Here’s the “Jozen Mizunogotoshi Junmai Ginjo” from Shirataki Brewery in Yuzawa Town, Niigata Prefecture.
As its name suggests, this is a sake that can be drunk as smoothly as water. It’s unmatched in drinkability.
Lightly sweet and fruity, with a refreshing, soft mouthfeel, it carries the umami and crisp finish characteristic of junmai sake. It harmonizes with anything and goes down effortlessly. It’s simply and purely delicious.
This sake was also developed for younger drinkers, so it’s one that people who don’t usually like or aren’t used to Japanese sake should definitely try. Shirataki Brewery also makes seasonal sake in very stylish bottles, making them great gifts, especially for women.
Kikisake-shi Recommended Niigata Sake #7 – Inomata Brewery “Tsukimizu no Ike Junmaishu”
From Itoigawa City, known for the Fossa Magna, comes Inomata Brewery’s “Tsukimizu no Ike Junmaishu.”
This sake has the aroma and umami typical of junmai sake, with a clean and smooth finish, offering a truly classic Japanese sake taste.
The brewery workers themselves cultivate the sake rice, avoid carbon filtration, and use bottle pasteurization—showcasing their dedication to the brewing process. The result is a sake with an extremely delicate balance. This is a bottle that exemplifies an uncompromising commitment to quality.
It’s one that seasoned sake drinkers should try warmed to fully appreciate its character.
Kikisake-shi Recommended Niigata Sake #8 – Ikedaya Brewery “Kenshin Tokubetsu Junmaishu”
Also from Itoigawa City is Ikedaya Brewery’s “Kenshin Tokubetsu Junmaishu.”
Unlike most Niigata sake, which tend toward light and dry profiles, this one has a more pronounced sweetness. Its gentle umami, refreshing character, and well-rounded, mild taste make it perfectly suited as a table sake to accompany meals.
The brewery focuses on very small-scale brewing, producing sake rooted in the local food culture. They aim to create sake with a “rich, umami-forward flavor and clean finish” unlike anything seen in traditional Niigata sake. This is a bottle that lovers of sweeter sake will especially enjoy.
Kikisake-shi’s Choice of Delicious Niigata Sake #9 – Hakkaisan Brewery “Hakkaisan Junmai Daiginjo”
Next, from Minamiuonuma City, is “Hakkaisan,” a sake that represents Niigata.
This is a sake you simply cannot leave out when talking about Niigata sake. Being from a large brewery, the quality is exceptionally stable. The Junmai Daiginjo has a toasty, grain-like aroma, with a clean and transparent flavor and an elegant sweetness. At the same time, it retains Hakkaisan’s signature crisp finish, making it a sake you can enjoy without ever getting tired of it. It gives the impression of being a slightly luxurious meal accompaniment.
Despite its well-known name, there may still be many people who have never tried it. This is a sake you should experience at least once.
Kikisake-shi’s Choice of Delicious Niigata Sake #10 – Nakagawa Brewery “Koshino Aoi Junmai Ginjo”
Finally, we introduce “Koshino Aoi Junmai Ginjo” from Nakagawa Brewery in Nagaoka City.
This is an ambitious creation made by young brewery workers who love sake. Within its crisp flavor, you can still taste the natural umami of the rice. Generally, genshu (undiluted sake) has an alcohol content of about 19%, but this one is slightly lower at 17%, which is one of its distinguishing features.
While it has the rich taste characteristic of genshu, its aftertaste is pleasantly sharp, leaving it easy to drink. This is a sake that is difficult to find outside of Niigata, so if you ever come across it, it’s definitely worth trying.
Name: Ponshukan
Address:
Niigata-eki Branch – 1-96-47 Hanazono, Chuo-ku, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture
Nagaoka-eki Branch – 1-611-1 Jounai-cho, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture
Yuzawa-eki Branch – 2427-3 Yuzawa, Yuzawa Town, Minamiuonuma District, Niigata Prefecture
Official Website: https://www.ponshukan.com/
Find your favorite sake at Ponshukan!
We heard from Kikisake-shi S for this article—what did you think? If you have the chance to visit Niigata, be sure to stop by Ponshukan and discover the sake that’s perfect for you.