Fans of premium sake, rejoice! In June the Meishu Center Yokohama opened its doors for business, boasting a selection of about 100 different high-end sake. Bottles indicating staff recommendations and tasting notes cover one wall of this cosy standing bar. A few small tables and two enticing fridges packed with sake complete the interior.
The bar is run by American Brian Hutto, who moved to Japan in early 2016. He fell in love with sake and decided to start exporting it. To further financially support his business, adding a bar was a logical move for him. Now officially a Certified Sake Professional, he is enthusiastic about educating others about the drink.
Sake by the glass (60ml) is priced at ¥300 or ¥400 and we recommend the flights of three. Guests are allowed to peruse the fridges organized by flavor profile, pick what they like, and bring their selections to the staff for serving. The Meishu Center offers a great opportunity to learn about Japan’s national beverage in English, if you don’t speak Japanese. You can get in-depth explanations of each sake and recommendations to suit your taste.
Hutto is supportive of craft sake so the majority of the brands served come from smaller, lesser-known breweries. He tells us, “Japanese customers that know sake well get excited because I have brands that are hard to find, even in Tokyo.”
Each week Hutto also runs a few educational courses that include ample tastings with the lesson. Interested parties should call the bar to make arrangements. A convenient ten-minute walk from Yokohama Station, the Meishu Center is a great place for both sake veterans and neophytes alike. Mingling is highly encouraged.