To the uninitiated, sake can be an intimidating drink to get into, but Gashue in Ueno aims to make sake appreciation easier for beginners and especially tourists. The pub sets itself apart from the many standing sake bars in town by having proper table seating. Plus, the environment is casual and friendly; it has none of the snootiness you’d expect from a sake specialist.
The sake menu carries more than 30 varieties from across Japan and it lists each sake’s provenance, alcohol content, rice polishing ratio and tasting notes. The sake are organised according to their taste profile (aromatic, refreshing, aged or rich) to make it easier for you to choose one that matches your taste. The best part is, the sake menu is also in English. Don’t miss the selection of snacks as they pair well with the drinks.