Do you have an upcoming trip to Tokyo?
Most travelers coming to Japan will find themselves traveling through one of world’s largest metropolitan hubs, Tokyo one way or another.
Tokyo offers some of the world’s best food and beverage experiences, but another unique opportunity Tokyo presents is doing a tasting tour of Awamori – even if you can’t make it to the Okinawa region.
Below is a small selection of bar restaurants that make it inviting and fun to explore Awamori while you’re in Tokyo.
Little Okinawa
A great place to start your Awamori tasting tour is in Little Okinawa, located on the West side of Tokyo in the Daitabashi neighborhood.
Becchi
Located just a few min walk from Daitabashi station, the folks at Becchi are dedicated to sharing what makes Okinawa unique. With an extensive Awamori selection, you can try all of the Awamori staples such as Zanpa, Zuisen, Seifuku, Suisen, and Niko Niko Taro.1 Chome-3-13 Izumi, Suginami City, Tokyo 168-0063
Nearest Station: Daitabashi (Keio line)
Sabani
Just around the corner is Sabani, where not only can you find a great selection of Awamori, but you can also find some less common Okinawan dishes. Priding themselves for having a full selection from all Okinawan Awamori distillers, there is bound to be something for everyone!
1 Chome 3-15 Tokyo, Suginami City, Tokyo, 168-0063
Nearest Station: Daitabashi (Keio line)
Harekuni
If you’re on the east side, stop by Harekuni and you’re bound to have a great time. When in Harekuni, drink Habushu they say (just kidding). Habushu is Awamori with Habu, a venomous snake native to the Okinawan islands. But if you’re not up for Habushu, you can also choose from a great selection of Awamori and snack on some fried Mozuku (a type of seaweed).
2 Chome 2-3 Tokyo, Minato City, Shinbashi 0105-0004
Nearest Stations:
Shimbashi (JR Yamanote, JR Tokaido, JR Joban, JR Odoriko, JR Yokosuka, JR Kehin-Tohoku, Metro Asakusa, Metro Yurikamome, Metro Ginza lines)
Uchisaiwaicho Station (Mita line)
Toranomon Station (Metro Ginza line)
Toranomon Hills Station (Hibiya line)
Teyandei
Shibuya station, popular for shopping and the world-renowned “scramble square” also is the home of Teyandei, a popular Okinawan Izakaya. Here you can peruse a selection of large ceramic jars of Awamori that line the wall. If you find the jars to be overwhelming, you can simply pick and choose from their visual menu, which offers a wide range of options that can be drank on the rocks, with club soda or water (a typical way to serve awamori).
Sakura Bloom 202 Sakuragaokacho 16-2 Tokyo, Shibuya, 0150-0031
Nearest Station: Shibuya (JR Yamamote, JR Saikyo, JR Shonan-Shinjuku, Keio Inokashira, Metro Ginza, Metro Hanzomon, Metro Fukutoshin, Toyoko and Den-en-Toshi lines)