Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2010

Looking to develop your nose for nihonshu? Each year, the Nippon Ginjoshu Kyokai (which translates, charmingly, as Japan Choice Brewing Association) holds a tasting event in Tokyo to showcase artisanal sake from around the country. After taking over the Tokyo station izakaya Komahachi last fall, this time they’ve moved to Kuri, an altogether more intimate sake bar in Shimbashi (2F, 3-19-4 Shimbashi, Minato-ku; 03-3438-3375). The Ginjo Bar will be open for business on weekends from now until the end of August (Sat 2-10pm, Sun 2-9pm), featuring a rotating lineup of highly prized tipples. The current selection, available until July 11, features the likes of Aomori’s Morokawa (pictured), Yamagata’s Yonetsuru and Hiroshima’s Nakao. Good stuff, in other words. Most of the brewers will be offering three different varieties, with 45ml tasting cups costing between ¥200 and ¥400.