[KITTE Osaka] The concept of the second floor is "Feel JAPAN Journey." This is the main floor that brings together the attractions of various regions, focusing on local products and tourism, allowing you to rediscover the best of Japan. From Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south, every corner of the country is represented. Each shop not only collects local specialties, but also has new ideas such as a tourist information counter and experience space.

In particular, the shops with bar counters offer local specialties along with local sake. You can virtually go bar-hopping around the country without even leaving Osaka Station. What's more, you can enjoy the casual style of a corner bar, so it's not to be missed.

*All prices include tax.

A corner bar where you can encounter the new face of Niigata [Niigata Zanmai Echinokura Yukiguni Shoten]

Niigata Zanmai Echi no Kura Yukiguni Shoten is a select shop that stocks local products from Niigata Prefecture, and has a large drinking space with four counter seats and two tables. The impressive setting surrounded by wooden lattice doors is modeled after a sake brewery, and you will be greeted by a tiled roof and cedar balls that are typical of a brewery.

The space is relaxing thanks to the stylish openwork lattice doors that surround it.

The sales corner's selection of Niigata local sake is the best in Osaka. Because they deal directly with sake breweries, you can sometimes find brands that are not available outside the prefecture.

The corner offers about six types of sake selected from the sales corner. You can enjoy sake from 6 yen per cup, and there are about 1 types of craft beer and highballs available from 380 yen each. There are also about four types of snacks to go with the sake, from 10 yen, so it's easy to stop by while shopping.

Here are some popular Japanese sakes.

Both of the types we sampled today were priced at 2 yen per glass (1ml).

"Matsunoi Junmai Ginjo (Matsunoi Sake Brewery)" (right) is a gorgeous cup with a gorgeous aroma that spreads the moment you take a sip. It has a well-balanced impression with a mix of sweetness and refreshing taste. It is an all-purpose drink that can be enjoyed by people of all tastes, so it goes well with meals.

"Katafune Hanajikan (Takeda Sake Brewery)" (left) is a fruity drink. The rich, full-bodied taste and deep sweetness typical of Junmai Ginjo sake will appeal to those new to sake. With a low alcohol content of 1%, it's perfect for quenching your thirst during a break.

The snack that goes with it is the popular "Tamatoro Salami with Fig Jam."

480 yen (tax included). The snacks featured are also local specialties of the prefecture and are sold at the shop.

The "Tamatoro Salami" is from "Henjinmocco", a famous sausage shop in Sado, Niigata. It is popular for its authentic German recipe, and has many fans outside the prefecture, so much so that it sells out immediately when it is sold out in limited department stores. Yukiguni Shoten seems to have a relatively stable supply of it.

When you touch it with your chopsticks, you'll be surprised at how soft it is. It has a fluffy texture, as if it was made by shaping delicate prosciutto together, and is completely different from the image of salami you have today. It has a rich aroma of onions and spices, and a strong salty taste that goes well with alcohol. When you eat it with the accompanying fig jam, the meatiness becomes mellow and is refreshingly neutralized, creating a wonderful change of flavor.

Figs are grown in the well-drained land along the coast of Joetsu City, Niigata Prefecture, and have become a local specialty in recent years. Listening to the characteristics of the land and the origins of the ingredients while enjoying local products is the true joy of traveling.

In addition, there is a sake sommelier at the store, so you can choose your sake by telling him your preferences and consulting with him (he may not be there depending on the work schedule). I enjoyed learning about the brewing process and Niigata sake rice. The menu is scheduled to change irregularly, so I'm looking forward to the arrival of seasonal products.

A unique feature of this corner bar is that they sell Sado Dairy soft serve ice cream. It is made using high-quality milk from Sado Dairy, the company famous for its constantly selling out Sado Butter, and is hugely popular at other stores such as Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan. In addition to the popular Camembert cheese flavor, they also offer coffee milk and a mix flavor. The coffee milk flavor can only be enjoyed at KITTE Osaka.

The photo shows a mini size for 300 yen. A full size is 400 yen. You can also buy one and eat it in the rest area in the aisle in front of the shop.

Not only is it rich in milk and smooth in texture, but it also has a deep, fragrant Camembert flavor. The slight saltiness and richness of the cheese may go well with alcoholic drinks... I thought to myself as I finished it in no time.

Niigata Prefecture has a strong image of being a snowy region and a rice-producing region, but listening to this story, I learned that it has some unexpected local specialties, all of which are delicious. I felt that the style of this antenna shop, where you can enjoy tasting food while chatting, is what allows me to broaden and update my impression of the area.

Niigata Sammi Echinokura Yukiguni Shoten
Niigata Zanmai Koshinokura Snow Country Shooting Station
Hours:
Shop 11:00～20:00
Bar Hours: 11:00-19:00 (Last Orders 19:00)
Soft serve ice cream 11:00-20:00 (Last orders 20:00)
*Last orders are 19:00 only on equipment cleaning days
Regular holiday: 1/1 *Other facility inspection days
TEL: 06-6147-4183
Official site:https://yukiguni.shop/osaka/

An experience that makes you feel like you're at a local standing bar [Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui Information Center "HOKURIKU+"]

At HOKURIKU+, you can find the special products of the three Hokuriku prefectures (Toyama, Ishikawa, and Fukui) in one shop. What makes it unique is that you can experience the charms of the three prefectures at the same time. There is also a tourist concierge on-site, so you can learn more about the attractions. The shop is large and has a wide selection of not only food specialties but also crafts, making it an interesting sales area where you can experience the colors of the land.

The right end of the long shop is the bar counter, which offers a wide selection of sake from the three prefectures. There are two ways to enjoy sake: you can order at the standing bar and enjoy at the counter, or you can purchase coins and enjoy it yourself using the sake server.

There are about 15 types of sake on the counter bar menu, and 18 types of sake are always available at the coin-operated counter, along with snacks and soft drinks. This time, I tried out the coin-operated counter and ordered some snacks at the counter.

The brands on offer at the server are not fixed, but change depending on what's in stock. Some customers say it's fun to be able to enjoy a wide variety of drinks.

The coin-operated server works by purchasing coins at the counter register for 1 yen for one coin, 300 yen for three coins, or 3 yen for four coins, and receiving a sake cup. After selecting the sake you want to drink, insert the coin and press the button to pour one cup.

In addition, staff members who are knowledgeable about alcohol were kind enough to provide us with seasonal recommendations.

"Shinsen Junmai Ginjo (Higashi Sake Brewery)" is a sake from Ishikawa Prefecture, and is characterized by its strong flavor, which is achieved by using Kanazawa yeast. It is refreshing and mellow, but also has a crisp finish. It was made with the aim of raising donations for the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

"Bon Gold Junmai Daiginjo (Kato Kippei Shoten)" is a Junmai Daiginjo sake that is affordable and delicious. The first thing you taste is a sweet, mellow, and soft aroma. It's also refreshing and fun to drink. Made in Fukui Prefecture, it is now popular overseas as well.

Toyama Prefecture sake, "Ariso Akebono Special Junmai Sake Hiyaoroshi (Takazawa Sake Brewery)" has a mellow, mature taste and a clean, crisp mouthfeel with a clean aftertaste. It seems to go well with seafood, as Toyama Prefecture is rich in seafood.

From the appetizer menu, we enjoyed a set that featured local specialties from the three prefectures.

Three prefectures collaboration set 1,100 yen

On this day, a platter of three dishes was offered: dried firefly squid (a Toyama Prefecture specialty), cut salmon (Ishikawa Prefecture specialty), and plum cream cheese with crackers (Fukui Prefecture).

In particular, the "dried firefly squid," a Toyama Prefecture specialty, has a concentrated umami flavor that spreads the moment you eat it, and if you alternate it with alcohol, you'll become addicted to the taste. When the squid's guts burst and spread in your mouth, they add a complex bitterness and aroma, further amplifying the umami. All snacks can be purchased at the shop, so you can enjoy your favorite ones at home.

The set menu is very filling, so you can enjoy it with a drink, which tickles the hearts of drinkers. Many people end up having several refills.

Maibijin (Mikawa Sake Brewery), Fukui Prefecture

Instead of ordering from a coin-operated server, when you order sake from the counter menu, it is served in a sake cup decorated with art from each prefecture. There are plenty of ways to experience the local culture beyond just the food.

The counter is made of splendid Noto cedar, and a large monitor is set up on the wall next to it. Images that evoke the majestic nature and deep-rooted culture of the three prefectures are shown, and watching them puts you in a state of high spirits. You can enjoy the taste of the food, the dishes you pick up, and your eyes, as if you are going on a virtual journey. The staff serving you at the counter are also happy to explain about sake and local specialties. This experience allows you to experience the charms of Hokuriku from every angle, and there is a Hokuriku region that you can easily stop by in Osaka.

HOKURIKU+
Hokuriku Plus
Opening time: 11:00 - 20:00
*Last orders at the standing bar are at 19:30
Closed: Open everyday (except New Year's Day, building inspection days, etc.)
TEL: 06-6690-8813
Official site:https://hokuriku-plus.com/

Discover the finest gourmet food from some of the best sake producing areas at SUPER LOCAL SHOP Tosatosa

Based on the concept of "the finest countryside," this shop allows you to encounter the food and culture that Kochi is proud of. In addition to a wide selection of food products, the shop also has a large selection of Tosa sake from all the breweries in the prefecture, making it a must-visit spot for sake fans.

A wide range of products available

"Kameizumi CEL-24" (Kameizumi Sake Brewery) 720ml 1942 yen (left), Tsukasabotan Funachu Hassaku (Tsukasabotan Sake Brewery) 720ml 1630 yen (right)

The most popular is "Kamesen CEL-24". It receives many inquiries and is often out of stock. "Tsukasabotan Funachu Hachisaku" is a super dry sake that is popular with those who want a dry sake.

Another feature is the wide lineup of 1ml bottles, which is a great choice for people who want to try different brands to find their favorite, or for those looking for a gift to take home.

From the left, Tsukasabotan Junmaishu AMAOTO (Tsukasabotan Sake Brewery) 495 yen, Kure Junmaishu (Nishioka Sake Brewery) 700 yen, Suigei Tokubetsu Junmaishu (Suigei Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.) 451 yen.

There is a wide selection of local specialties that go well with sake, so it's fun to choose a set. The items recommended by the staff as being particularly delicious are all hard to find except at local roadside stations.

Going clockwise, the bonito flakes are 650 yen, Tosa no Shiomaru (both white and blue) are 1188 yen, and straw-grilled bonito is 698 yen.

Another area Tosatosa is focusing on is holding fairs that highlight individual local specialties, foods, regions, and manufacturers. About one-third of the store space is set aside for events, and they hold occasional sake-related events, such as tasting events with sake breweries invited for limited periods. The next event is scheduled to be held on December 1, 3, and will feature Tosatsuru Sake Brewery. (Details will be announced on the website and social media.)

The appeal is being able to interact with makers and local people while discovering new products

SUPER LOCAL SHOP Tosatosa
Super Local Shop Tosatosa
Business hours: 11:00-20:00 (weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
*Business hours may change during the New Year holidays.
TEL: 06-6940-6262
Official site:https://www.tosatosa-kochi.com/

Discover new flavors from 20 stores and 22 prefectures

Although we couldn't introduce them all here, there are a total of 2 antenna shops on the second floor of KITTE Osaka, with plenty of corners where you can enjoy local flavors.

At the Kyoto shop Kyokyo, you can't miss the corner that has a wide selection of Kyoto's local sake and snacks made by the popular local sake bar Masuya Sake Shop. At Nagano's OGINOYA, you can find not only sake, but also many other accompaniments that go well with sake, such as local specialties such as pickles and soba noodles, and limited edition Toge Kamameshi.
There are also plenty of other local specialties to choose from, such as Hiroshima IPPIN in Hiroshima and Hokkaido Umaimonokan in Hokkaido.

While you're out shopping, check out the different stores, and if you find a spot you like, be sure to travel there.

Writer Hitomi Hashio
Born in Tokyo, lives in Osaka. As a writer, she writes corporate interviews, business columns, and articles related to life, alcohol, and food. At the same time, she also supports the company's human resources and public relations.
He lives in a deep bar area, and his hobbies are drinking, picnicking, and cooking. Her characteristic is that she immediately says, ``I want to drink beer.'' Her favorite sakes are ``Kamikigen'' and ``Maibijin SanQ.''
Instagram: @hashiohitomi

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Directly connected to the station, enjoy your fill of Japanese sake! Three recommended places for bar-hopping in [KITTE Osaka]