Sake Tasting Vending Machine at SHOWAGURA 昭和蔵 in Kawagoe 川越 Saitama 埼玉 Japan

If you would like to try paid sake tasting and you can't speak Japanese, this sake vending machine is a good system. There are more than 35 kinds of sake which of all are produced by sake breweries located in Saitama 埼玉 Prefecture next to Tokyo. This paid sake tasting is self-service. You don't need to order sake from the wait staff.

Sake Tasting SHOWAGURA Koedo Kurari Kawagoe 川越小江戸蔵里ききざけ処昭和蔵

There is a sake store / standing bar
Kikizakedokoro SHOWAGURA
ききざけ処昭和蔵
in a small shopping plaza
Koedo KURARI
小江戸蔵里.

They are located in Kawagoe 川越 City Saitama 埼玉 Prefecture. Kawagoe is historical and popular sightseeing spot. You can see many kinds of traditional Japanese style houses there.

SHOWAGURA 昭和蔵

You may help yourself to the sake tasting machines without consulting the staff.

The staff will allow you to taste the sake freely, without sales pressure. So, this place might be comfortable to enjoy tasting by yourself.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

500円で4種
You can try 4 kinds of sake for 500 yen.

There are English instruction.
First, buy the 4 tokens (medals) for 500 yen.

4 tokens (medals) メダル cost 500 yen including tax.

おちょこ Ochoko means sake cup. However this store use tiny size cups.

There is a sake list of the vending machines on the bar counter or the brochure shelf.

Set your cup like this above.

Insert one token (medal), not Japanese coins.

You can heat the sake using the metal cup and hot water. When you drink the same sake as warmed sake, it tastes so different to the cold one, because the sake flavor gets stronger.

This place is a standing style bar counter and self-service.

They offer other types of alcoholic beverages and several kinds of snacks and side dishes.
岩塩・塩 These are 2 kinds of salt.

お水は、おちょこをご使用ください。
Water is free of charge. Please use the sake cup.

Please return your empty cups to the return table.

You can buy a bottle to take with you when you find your favorite one.

Soft serve (2 or 3 tokens) with fruit liquor (1 token).

Seasonal Fruits Liquors
They offer some kinds of Umeshu (plum wine).
2 mini-glass cost 4 tokens

If you like umeshu, I recommend you go to a restaurant in Tokyo below.

All-You-Can-Drink 100 Kinds of Plum Wine (梅酒 Umeshu) in Kitasenju 北千住 Tokyo - Puedo Bar プエドバル

Plum wine is called Umeshu 梅酒 in Japanese.

Only food and drinks sold by the tokens in the store are allowed.

Kikizakedokoro SHOWAGURA
ききざけ処 昭和蔵

Business hours
11:00 am - 7:00 pm
(Irregular holiday)

Website (in Japanese)

No smoking
No service fee / No cover charge
Self-service
English sake list is available.
Standing bar

ききざけ処昭和蔵 | 小江戸蔵里

川越市産業観光館

🚫 There is a prohibited mark for taking pictures on a signboard in front of the store, but actually it is wrong.

When I asked a staff person if I can do it inside the store she told me it is old information and now taking pictures and uploading them online to social media or blogs are allowed.

There nearest stations are
Kawagoe 川越 Station
or
Honkawagoe 本川越 Station.