[Akita] Enjoy fantastic sake while standing! New style at Akita Station!

ako
2017.04.19
Last updated: 2023.10.10

table of contents

1 Akita Station and the station building have been renovated! New specifications with beautiful wood grain
2 There is a sake bar next to a liquor store that sells Akita sake
3 Enjoy Akita's fine sake at "Akitakurasu"! Even some rare sakes?
4 lastly
- 4.1 INFORMATION

Akita Prefecture is famous for its sake. Many sake breweries throughout the prefecture, including Tobiraizumi Brewery, said to be the oldest sake brewery in Japan, and Aramasa Brewery, which has recently produced "No. 6," a sake that rivals Yamagata Prefecture's "Juyondai," combine their skills and traditional know-how with modern technology and knowledge to create many excellent sakes

However, not all sake is available even within the prefecture. There are many sakes in Akita that are not readily available in liquor stores or izakayas due to reasons such as limited availability. Even if you travel to Akita, the home of Japanese sake breweries, you may be disappointed to hear things like, "That sake is hard to find," or "Even izakayas rarely carry it."

Akita Prefecture is known for its sake, and it is said that all of the sake produced there is generally of a high quality that will impress even the most discerning sake connoisseurs. However, if you have come all the way to Akita, you would definitely want to try some of the seasonal limited editions, sake that is hard to find in other prefectures, and above all, rare sakes, right?

In fact, a shop that makes the dreams of such alcohol lovers come true has opened in Akita!

This time, we will introduce a standing sake bar that is currently attracting a lot of attention in Akita Prefecture

Akita Station and the station building have been renovated! New specifications with beautiful wood grain

Akita Station, the prefectural capital of Akita Prefecture, is currently undergoing a major renovation along with the station building next to it. Each floor and shop is being renovated, and the newly renovated shops have been transformed into beautiful wood-grain stores reminiscent of Akita cedar

The waiting room for passengers waiting for the Shinkansen has been renovated into a clean, bright space, and Starbucks Coffee, which was previously located in a different location within the same station, has also been relocated. In addition, a soba and udon restaurant has opened right next to the waiting room, so you can get a feel for Akita just by looking inside the station. As of March 14, 2017, the renovation of Akita Station is still ongoing

Some stores are temporarily closed due to renovations, but new stores and stores beloved by tourists and local residents are opening in areas where renovations have been completed

The renovation has also resulted in changes to the size and number of shops. Among these, a new addition is a standing sake bar located inside Topico, just outside the central ticket gate! I took a quick look, and this standing sake bar is amazing!

There is a sake bar next to a liquor store that sells Akita sake

There is a liquor store next to the bar. This store carries a wide range of sake from various breweries in Akita Prefecture, so if you're looking to buy Akita sake at the station, this is the first place you should go. I'm sure you'll find a bottle that is unique to Akita

This liquor store has been around for a while, but with the renovation, it has been given a retro look with vibrant wood grain, creating a calm and very appealing atmosphere. The store is located along a passageway where Akita residents and tourists from outside pass by on their way home, so you can enjoy looking at the rows of Akita sake bottles as you pass by. It's fun

In addition, a standing sake bar called "Akitakurasu" has opened next to the liquor store

Enjoy Akita's fine sake at "Akitakurasu"! Even some rare sakes?

Train stations are the gateways to the region, and Akitakurasu is a place where you can casually enjoy Akita sake for just a few hundred yen a glass. Located right next to the station ticket gates, you can enjoy a recommended drink while waiting for your train or bullet train, and it's just as casual as any izakaya

Another great thing about this restaurant is that they serve rare sake. The menu changes depending on the availability of stock, so it's not guaranteed that a particular brand will be available. However, according to our interview, even if it runs out, they may periodically restock

As of March 14, 2017, the menu included "Ecru," "Lapis," and "Amaneko" from Aramasa Sake Brewery, which are hard to find even within the prefecture, and many people are crying out in frustration because they cannot even purchase them online

Enjoy a glass of this legendary drink in a beautiful, modern interior with soft wood grain

What do you think? Isn't it amazing? Grab a drink before heading to the ticket gate and enjoy the lingering aftertaste as you head to the Shinkansen. This is a luxury that can only be enjoyed at a standing bar in a station

lastly

The sake standing bar we introduced this time, "Akitakurasu," is already bustling with fathers on their way home from work and tourists. The bar is also decorated with rare bottles of sake, and some people on business trips from outside the prefecture have stopped in amazement, saying, "What kind of sake is this?"

I imagine this bar will continue to offer rare Akita sakes, making it a very exciting place to visit

Akita Station is currently undergoing renovations, and new stores are opening up one after another once the renovations are complete. In addition to these, stores serving Akita Prefecture gourmet food, folk crafts, and famous confectionery stores have reopened after revamping their stores. Be sure to take a look at the new Akita Station and station building!