The early summer sun cast a pleasant glow over Nihonbashi as I wrapped up a client meeting. My steps felt lighter, buoyed by the successful discussion. It was then that the crisp, clean taste of an Hakkaisan sake I’d recently enjoyed came to mind. “I believe there’s an Hakkaisan shop in COREDO Muromachi,” I mused. In a spontaneous detour from my digital marketing routine, I decided to embark on a small journey of sensory exploration. This is the essence of Photomo: to walk, to shoot, to write.
Sennen Kojiya: A Beacon of Koji Culture in COREDO Muromachi
My destination was COREDO Muromachi 1. Nestled within this modern complex, I found Hakkaisan Sennen Kojiya.
A charming wooden signboard welcomed me warmly. The gentle aroma of koji (rice malt) wafted from the storefront, where amazake (sweet, non-alcoholic sake) tasting was underway. I accepted a small cup. Its natural sweetness spread through my body, instantly soothing the fatigue from the meeting. Amazake is truly a nourishing elixir, a testament to the profound depth of Japan’s fermentation culture. It was a moment of rediscovery.
An Impressive Lineup and the Brewer’s Dedication
Stepping inside, I entered the world of Hakkaisan. The sheer range of products was breathtaking. Of course, there was their famous sake, but also shochu, umeshu (plum wine), and a variety of food products made with koji. The entire lineup crafted by Hakkaisan Brewery was meticulously displayed.
Each bottle seemed to hold its own story. To see such a comprehensive collection in one place is an experience unique to Hakkaisan Sennen Kojiya. This is a must-visit for anyone searching for quality Nihonbashi sake.
Limited-edition sweets like the “Daiginjo Wasanbon Baumkuchen” also caught my eye, highlighting the shop as an excellent spot for finding unique Tokyo sake souvenirs.
Unexpected Encounters: The Joy of a Staff Recommendation
Being there, I was eager for a new discovery. “Do you have any sake recommendations for the summer?” I asked a staff member. My digital marketing habit of ‘always ask first’ proves useful in many situations. This was a quest for a genuine sake recommendation discovery.
A New Sensation: Special Junmai Genshu, Frozen
“In that case, how about this special junmai genshu?” she suggested, presenting a bottle with an unusual serving suggestion.
“If you chill it in the freezer for about an hour before drinking, it develops a sherbet-like, slushy texture.” Frozen sake! How intriguing. I could already picture myself enjoying its crisp, cool taste in my favorite Iittala Ultima Thule glass. “I’ll take it,” I decided instantly. This was an exciting start.
From Brooklyn with Love? Hop-Infused Junmai Sake
My curiosity piqued, I pressed on. “Anything else interesting?” A fleeting thought, “Am I being too persistent?” crossed my mind, but the staff member smiled. “Well then, perhaps this…” Her next recommendation was, surprisingly, from Brooklyn.
The bottle on the far right in the photo, with its eye-catching red label, was ‘Brooklyn Kura Occidental.’ The label read “HOP INFUSED JUNMAI.” This Junmai sake, brewed with hops, promised a refreshing aroma and bitterness reminiscent of beer. A long-established Niigata brewery challenging itself in Brooklyn, New York, and now this product was being ‘reverse imported’ to Japan. The story alone was captivating. “I’ll take this one too.” My sake recommendation discovery journey was yielding fantastic results.
Like a Mojito? A Hakka Mint Craft Gin
“Anymore suggestions?” I ventured, fully embracing my role as the inquisitive customer. After a moment’s thought, she suggested a craft gin. I mentioned I’d previously bought another gin from the same series. “In that case, how about this Hakka mint gin?” she offered.
A Japanese mint (hakka) gin. She explained that when poured, it releases a refreshing aroma, and the taste is remarkably like a mojito. This was too unique to pass up. “Yes, please. I’ll take this as well.”
The Treasures Found in Nihonbashi: A Testament to Curiosity
I left the store with three bottles, each a new adventure waiting to be uncorked. There’s immense value in seeking expert recommendations. They open doors to new worlds that one might never find alone. This truly is the joy of exploring Nihonbashi sake. Perhaps the kind of experience international visitors seek with queries like “Sake tasting Tokyo” can also be found in these genuine interactions.
Clutching my purchases, I headed home, my mind buzzing with anticipation for the tasting experiences to come. These sensations, these experiences, are precisely what Photomo aims to share. Small adventures in everyday life enrich us immeasurably.
Visiting Hakkaisan Sennen Kojiya at COREDO Muromachi: Access and Information
The Hakkaisan Sennen Kojiya I visited is located on the 1st floor of COREDO Muromachi 1, directly connected to Mitsukoshimae Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza and Hanzomon Lines) and Shin-Nihombashi Station (JR Sobu Main Line). The store offers an attractive selection of products, from traditional and innovative sake to a diverse range of foods themed around rice, koji, and fermentation, as well as exclusive sweets. If you’re looking for Nihonbashi sake or a special Tokyo sake souvenir, this is a place I highly recommend.
Official Website: https://www.sennen-koujiya.jp/shop/hakkaisan-sennenkoujiya/
Google Map:
Still buzzing from these wonderful discoveries, I moved on to my next destination. A truly shocking encounter awaited me at Yanaka Coffee… but that, as they say, is a story for another time.