Ponshukan
Ponshu is Japanese sake.
Japan is ``Japan” and came to be called ponshu, short for Nippon sake. .
When you think of Niigata, you think of rice, and when you think of rice, you think of sake.
Such Japanese sake is called ``Ponshu''.Ponshukan” is located inside Niigata Station.
Today in the morning,Niigata sake camp”, and in the afternoon, “Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery” I went on a tour of the sake brewery.
At the very end, before boarding the Shinkansen, I visited the Ponshukan, spending a day full of sake.
Sake bansho
Speaking of Ponshukan, it is Kizake Bansho.
Pay 500 yen and receive a choko and 5 coins.
It's located inside a JR station, so you can use Suica for payment.
Just set the choko in the spot of your favorite brand, insert a coin, press the button, and the sake will be poured out, making it a perfect gacha-gacha for adults.
The type of alcoholOn the homepageHowever, I was able to confirm it, and when I checked while writing this blog, there were 111 types. (Information updated as of April 10, 2024)
One cup of choko costs about 1 to 3 coins, depending on the brand and grade (junmai sake, junmai daiginjo, etc.), and you can drink up to 5 choko for 500 yen.
You can purchase additional coins in units of 5, so as long as you pay, you can drink as much as you want.
By the way, the choko must be returned after use and cannot be taken home.
How to choose alcohol
Each brand comes with a handwritten label with its flavor written on it, so I think it's a good idea to read it before choosing.
Labels are also posted, so I think it's a good idea to choose one that looks cool or fashionable.
Popularity rankings are also listed, so you may want to refer to them.
Well, please choose as you like.
premium sake
『Niigata sake ranking” which is displayed when searching for “Abe』、『reverie』、『Murasuke” and other popular brands are not lined up where you can insert this coin.
There is a corner called Premium Sake inside the counter, where you order from the staff and have them pour it for you.
It also costs 2-3 coins or more, so if you want to buy premium sake, make sure you have plenty of coins before purchasing.
I think there are always more than 10 types of premium sake available at any given time, so there are over 120 types of sake in total at Tosake Bansho.
How to choose recommendations
With 120 different types, you may have a hard time deciding which one to drink.
My personal recommendation is to choose items that are sold at Ponshukan.
There is a check mark below the number to see if it is sold in stores.
If it's sold at a store, if it tastes good, you can buy it and take it home.
It's understandable to pay attention to popular brands like premium sake.
You can drink premium sake at Ponshukan, but you generally cannot purchase it.
Also, if you live in the Kanto area, you can go to a restaurant or liquor store that sells many types of sake, and most brands are available for purchase or drinking.
So, I don't think there is any need to go out of your way to drink at Ponshukan.
There are brands that are not premium sake and brands that you can drink with coins that are only sold within Niigata Prefecture, so if you look in the Kanto area, these may be rarer.
Otsumami (Snacks)
Basically, there are no snacks, so you will only have to enjoy the sake.
They also have salt, miso, and cucumbers available for a fee, so it's up to your taste.
There is a water dispenser and you can drink as much water as you want, so don't forget to stay hydrated.
souvenir
Ponshukan is famous for its sake bansho, but you can also buy souvenirs and sake, and considering the area, souvenirs are the main focus.
In addition to souvenirs and sweets, they also sell snacks that go well with alcohol, such as seafood such as soy sauce, miso, and salted fish, as well as hegi soba noodles.
We have everything from drinks to snacks to finish your meal here, so you can enjoy Niigata even after you return home.
Ponshukan Complex
Apart from Ponshukan,Ponshukan Complex” is there.
It is located just outside the west exit ticket gate of the Shinkansen and conventional lines, and the landmark is Starbucks.
Souvenirs are mainly sold here.
Also, “Kakuuchi” and “
bomb rice ball house” is also included.
There are more types of sake available at Tosake Bansho, but there are no snacks and you can drink while standing.
Kakuuchi has a wide selection of snacks and meals, and you can sit on a chair and enjoy your drink.
After warming up your liver (engine) by drinking at the sake bansho, wouldn't it be nice to have a drink at Kakuuchi?
Ponshukan Craftsmanship
Furthermore, “Ponshukan CraftsmanshipThere is also a shop called ``.
Here you can buy sake bottles, choko cups, and hardware since Tsubame-Sanjo is a metal processing town.
Finally
Even if I don't recommend or introduce them to you, if you visit Niigata Station, you will definitely visit Ponshukan and Kizake Bansho.
I hope you find this helpful when choosing sake when you visit.
The Ponshukan itself is also ``Nagaoka station』、『Echigo Yuzawa StationThere is also one on the premises of ``.
Nagaoka is famous for its Nagaoka fireworks, and Echigo Yuzawa is famous for its skiing, so be sure to stop by when you visit.
