Sake Vending Machines Around Japan! (And Where to Find Them)

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All manner of sake delivered directly to your cup from a machine — what could be better!? Today we’re taking a look at a few popular spots across Japan where you can press a button and pour out a taste for a small fee. We love sake vending machines, and we’ve been to a few of them ourselves, so let’s dive in.

Niigata
Ponshukan — Niigata, Echigo Yuzawa, and Nagaoka Stations

This is a famous store (written ぽんしゅ館) with three locations across Niigata prefecture. You can try over one hundred different types of Niigata-made sake and then buy the bottles you want on the spot! The vending machines span the entire wall — truly a gold standard for sake vending machines. We’ve been twice before, and we would wholeheartedly recommend putting Ponshukan on your to-go list if you’re travelling anywhere in or around Niigata.

Here’s a brand they carry that we enjoy!

Kawagoe, Saitama
Kikizake-Dokoro Showagura

Kawagoe’s Kikizake-Dokoro Showagura (written ききざけ処 昭和蔵) offers tastings from thirty five Saitama breweries through multiple vending machines. You can exchange 500 yen for four tokens, which can be used to purchase said sake, and the venue also sells local sake, fermented foods, and souvenirs. If you’re making a day trip to Kawagoe from Tokyo (a great destination regardless), it’s definitely worth dropping by!

We recommend trying this bottle there! It’s not your normal friendly, fruity sake, and they recommend serving it hot.

Tokyo
Tokyo Shoten — Ryogoku Station

Tokyo Shoten (written 東京商店) is a must-visit spot in Tokyo if you’re looking for vending machines close by. Located inside Edo Noren (written 江戸のれん), this cozy sake shop offers a wide selection of Tokyo-brewed sake, including around 30 varieties available for tasting. They also sell snacks like cheese and soy-sauce-marinated egg yolk.

We highly recommend trying this bottle, Sawanoi Junmai Ginjo, if they have it.

If they have the Sawanoi Tokubetsu Junmai here, that’s also good stuff.

Yamagata
Chetto — Kajo Central

The full name of this shop is Yamagata Sake-meguri Chetto (written やまがた酒巡り Chetto).

Located in the Yamagata Tourism Information Center, connected to Yamagata Station, you can explore the world of Yamagata’s local sake and wine. Chetto offers a curated selection of 42 varieties for tasting. The name “Chetto” comes from an altering of the Japanese word “chotto,” meaning “a little bit,” which is supposed to reflect the idea that visitors can enjoy Yamagata’s sake in a relaxed way. We think it’s worth a visit! Yamagata is truly an excellent place for sake.

If they have Juyondai (written 十四代), then you must try it. It’s perhaps the most highly regarded sake in Japan.

If they have Shuho as well, we highly recommend it.

Honorable Mention
Miyagi
Fujiwaraya Michinoku Sake Kiko — Sendai Station

This humble store (written 藤原屋 みちのく酒紀行) features a popular self-serve sake vending machine offering 30ml tastings for just 100 yen, although the sake isn’t limited to those from Miyagi. It’s located inside of S-PAL Date no komichi (伊達のこみち) inside Sendai Station, so, if you’re just passing through, be sure to check it out!

If they happen to have Miyakanbai or Hakurakusei, both from Miyagi, we recommend trying those specifically!