Shimizu Saketen is a sake and craft beer shops located in the Hanacho district of Niigata city, just around the corner from Bandaibashi, one of the landmarks in the city. It seems to be the only store in the company name. Moreover, they no longer have an online store due to a lack of sales – a shame as their range of beers had some pretty rare domestic and imported craft beers on the day we visited.
While the shop is smaller than Ponshukan, they had beers from Shiga Kogen, Sankt Gallen, Baird Beer, Hitachino Nest, Oh! La! Ho, Baeren, Coedo, Iwate Kura, Daisen G Beer and also some local Swan Lake, Niigata Beer with Echigo Beer too. Prices were very reasonable – I wanted to buy four bottles of the Takashi Ichiro and Takashi Ichiro Pete?! as they were the same price direct from Tamamura Honten. The couple that run the shop were surprised when I didn’t believe them, and they asked if they were too expensive? Laughs were had but then tears began to flow when they said they couldn’t open the fridge as their son had gone off with the key.
There is also an extensive range of sake from the Niigata area as well as some imported American craft beer too. The only warning about the shop would be to make sure that they have the key to the fridges and don’t take any bags inside. It’s a very narrow shop, heck, I could barely turn around inbetween the fridge and sake, and I’m 6ft / 1m83cm.
Shimizu Saketen Details
Open: Monday to Saturday 8:00～15:30 and 17:30〜19:00
Close: Sunday
Phone: o9o-7176-2316
Homepage (in Japanese): http://shimizu-saketen.tumblr.com/
How to Get to Shimizu Saketen
The best way to get to Shimizu is either take the bus or walk from the Bandai exit of Niigata station on the Hakushin Line, Echigo Line, and Shinetsu Main Line. If you take the bus, then take C20 and get off at Nocho. If you walk, follow the road to Bandaibashi and turn right at Nocho (礎町) traffic lights.
