5 Best Places to Drink Sake in Osaka

Osaka is one of the best cities in Japan for eating and drinking – it’s often referred to as ‘Japan’s kitchen’, after all. There’s a huge range of places to eat and drink in Osaka, from cheap izakayas and ramen joints, to Michelin star restaurants and world-class cocktail bars. With all that to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to even start. But if you’re looking for places to drink sake specifically, we’ve got you covered. Here are some great places to enjoy Japan’s national drink in Osaka. 

Asano sake shop

Asano Nihonshuten in Umeda, Osaka, is worth checking out for both sake enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. A short walk from Umeda Station, Asano offers a great selection of over 150 types of sake, with a particular focus on local options from Osaka and the Kansai region. Customers can enjoy tasting these sakes at the shop’s standing bar, making it a fantastic spot to sample a variety of sakes with some simple food options. They open from 11am to 11pm, making this a great place to drink either before or after sightseeing.

Address: 1F Taiyuji Bldg, 2-17 Taiyuji-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka

Hours: 11am to 11pm daily

Shimada shoten

Shimada Shoten is a must-visit spot for those wishing to broaden their sake horizons. The ground floor is a sake shop, and there’s a tasting room in the basement where you can try a wide range of sake. Glasses of sake and small dishes are very well priced, but just be aware that because this is a sake shop with a tasting area rather than a bar, there is a 30-minute time limit for the tasting cellar.

Address: 3-5-1, Itachobori, Nishi-ku, Osaka

Hours: Weekdays from 9am to 7pm

Yamacho Umeda

Yamacho Umeda (山長梅田店) is a liquor store specializing in sake, but they also run a standing bar where you can try a wide range of sake from all over Japan. This shop is located in the Osaka Ekimae 2nd building, which is one of four interconnected buildings that each have a vast array of restaurants, izakayas and drinking establishments in their two basement floors. These restaurant floors are full of cheap and cheerful food and drink options and are definitely worth a look if you want an old-school Japanese eating and drinking experience.

Address: Osaka Ekimae 2nd Building, 1 Chome-2-2 Umeda, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0001

Hours: Weekdays 10am to 8pm, Saturdays 10am to 6pm, closed Sundays

Ojisan To Nihonshu

Located near Higo-bashi Station in Osaka, Oji-san to Nihonshu is an izakaya with a focus on sake. They have a selection of 30-50 bottles, as well as a range of dishes that go well with sake, with an emphasis on pork and duck dishes. Ojisan to Nihonshu is open from 3pm to 3am, so is suitable for daytime drinking, but can also be a good place to end the night.

Address: 1-9-10 Kyomachibori, Nishi-ku, Osaka

Hours: Daily 3pm to 3am, closed first Monday of each month

Nihonshu Unagidani

Nihonshu Unagidani is an izakaya hidden away in a tiny alley near Shinsaibashi Station, and is a great place for anyone wishing to explore the world of sake. There are more than 100 bottles to choose from here, and a variety of dishes to go with them. This establishment combines a standing bar style with seating options, so is appropriate for solo visitors as well as groups.

Address: 1-3-28 Shinsaibashi-suji, Chuo-ku, Osaka

Hours: Weekdays 3pm to 12am, Weekends 12pm to 12am (last food order 11pm; last drink order 11:30pm)