Where to Buy Sake

A continually updated and annotated list of sake shops in Europe.

Keep in mind that, while online shops can be a good opportunity to find bottles that are not otherwise available in your are, sake is best enjoyed fresh. Shipping, especially in summer, can have a negative influence on the quality of your sake. Support your local shops, and let them know what you like!

Because the sales volume of sake is still comparatively small, freshness can be an issue in some markets, where a bottle might sit in the shop for a year or more. Therefore, we have indicated which stores keep their bottles refrigerated.

Know a good shop that’s not on the list? Tell us!

Austria

Meinl am Graben, Vienna *
The wine department of the famous posh food store has a small selection of sake, some in 300ml bottles.
Brands: Dewazakura, Nanbu Bijin, Rihaku, Urakasumi
Refrigerated: No
Online shop: Yes

Mochi OMK, Vienna *
Take-out shop run by Mochi, a trendy izakaya.
Brands: Bijofu, Daruma Masamune, Katsuyama, Rihaku
Refrigerated: Yes
Online shop: (take-away)

 

Nippon-ya, Vienna ***
Japan-focused supermarket with a very good selection of sake, including seasonal items and various bottle sizes. Some brands are imported directly. Tasting possible for select bottles. Fair prices.
Brands: Amabuki, Bunkajin, Hakurakusei, Katsuyama, Niizawa, Shichida, Shichihonyari, Zaku and others
Refrigerated: Yes
Online shop: No

Wein&Co., multiple locations **
One of Austria’s largest wine retailers has also started stocking some sake in their stores. Here you can also buy the Riedel Junmai glass.
Brands: Amabuki, Dewazakura, Rihaku
Refrigerated: No
Online shop: Yes

Belgium

Denmark

 

Kita Sake, Copenhagen ***
Small but dedicated shop with high-quality selection including seasonal and unpasteurised sake.
Brands: Tamagawa, Sohomare, Toko
Refrigerated: Yes
Online shop: Yes

Jah Izakaya, Copenhagen **(*)
Excellent izakaya that also offers take-away. Sake selection for take-out is limited, but if you ask nicely…?
Brands: Akishika, Kinokuyan (larger, well-picked selection in-restaurant!)
Refrigerated: Yes
Online shop: (take-away)

Sticks&Sushi, Multiple locations *
Some small bottles are available for take-out at this restaurant chain, which helped to popularise Japanese food in Denmark.
Brands: Kizan, Masumi
Refrigerated: Yes
Online shop: (take-away)

France

Midorinoshima, Online ***
Founded in 2006 and specialized in the import, promotion, and distribution of high-end Japanese sake and spirits. Excellent, very broad selection and shipping to all of the EU.
Brands: Biden, Bo, Born, Brasserie du Levant, Dan, Dassai, Fukucho, Kikumasamune, Hanahato, Hanatomoe, Hyakujuro, Nabeshima, Shichiken, Senkin, Soma no Tengu, Suehiro, Tamagawa, Tsukino Katsura, Yamato, and others
Refrigerated: -
Online shop: Yes, EU-wide shipping

Nishikidori, Paris and Ancenis

Brands: Daishichi, Gozenshu, Katsuyama, Kid, Masuizumi, Shotoko, Shuhai and others
Refrigerated: -
Online shop: Yes, EU-wide shipping

La Maison du Sake, Paris

Germany

Ueno Gourmet, Online ***
Large importer and web shop with many well-known brands. Major supplier to shops and restaurants in German-speaking markets. Also in UK.
Brands: Amabuki, Bijofu, Dewazakura, Daruma Masamune, Dassai, ENTER.Sake, Fukuju, Hatsumago, Masuizumi, Shichiken, Toko, Yuki no Bosha, and others
Refrigerated: -
Online shop: Yes

Sake36, Berlin ***
Relatively new shop and tasting room in Berlin, started by DJ and “sake evangelist” Richie Hawtin (ENTER.Sake) and a team of dedicated sake professionals. Very good selection of modern-style sakes.
Brands: Aramasa, Kaze no Mori, Senkin, Tamagawa, Tatenokawa and others
Refrigerated: -
Online shop: Yes, EU-wide shipping with UPS

Sake Kontor, Berlin ***
This shop has been in Berlin for over 10 years – no wonder: it offers an excellent selection that includes classic brands like Masumi and Kenbishi and the staff is very helpful and knowledgable. Their online shop also has very useful descriptions of each sake to help you decide.
Brands: Daishichi, Jozen, Kenbishi, Kakurei/Yuki no Otoko, Masumi, Tentaka, Yuho, and others
Refrigerated: -
Online shop: Yes

Distel Bioladen, Frankfurt **
Organic shop in Frankfurt with a nice Japan-focussed corner not only with sake but also other Japanese products as well as some nice pottery.
Brands: Amabuki, Masumi, Shichiken, Tentaka (organic!) and others
Refrigerated: -
Online shop: No

Netherlands

Sakelicious, Online
Brands: Born, Dassai, Hakkaisan, Nanbu Bijin, Shirataki, Shiokawa, Tedorigawa
Refrigerated: -
Online shop: Yes

Otemba Sake, Amsterdam ***
Sake importer and shop in Amsterdam. To ensure best quality, they guarantee cooled shipping from Japan to their warehouse, where the sake is kept at 4˚C.
Brands: Mutsu Hassen, Kakurei, Kaori Ranman, Tsukino Katsura, Ryusei, Sakaya Hachibei
Refrigerated: Yes
Online shop: Yes, EU-wide shipping

Dutch Wasabi, Online
As the name says, this shop sells fresh, locally grown wasabi, too! Their sake selection comes from Dutch importer Yoigokochi, who focus on sake with lots of individuality and character.
Brands: Akishika, Biden, Heiwa Shuzo, Kire, Mukai (Ine Mankai), Nabeshima, Niida Honke, Soma no Tengu, and others
Refrigerated: -
Online shop: Yes, EU-wide

Pasteuning, Amsterdam
Wine retailer with a nice sake selection (again, from Yoigokochi Importers)
Brands: Akishika, Biden, Dassai, Heiwa Shuzo, Kire, Mukai (Ine Mankai), Nabeshima, Niida Honke, Soma no Tengu, Tamagawa, Terada Honke and others
Refrigerated: -
Online shop: Yes, EU-wide

Poland

Slovakia

Matsu Premium Tea and Coffee, Bratislava **
This stylish café not only sells high-quality tea and coffee but also Sake. A bit off the beaten tourist path, but definitely worth a visit!
Brands: Hachibei, Hassan, Kakurei, Yuki Otoko
Refrigerated: No
Online shop: No

Switzerland

Ueno Gourmet, Online
Large importer and web shop with many well-known brands. Major supplier for restaurants in German-speaking markets. Also in UK.
Brands: Amabuki, Bijofu, Dewazakura, Daruma Masamune, Dassai, ENTER.Sake, Fukuju, Hatsumago, Masuizumi, Shichiken, Toko, Yuki no Bosha, and others
Refrigerated: -
Online shop: Yes

 

Shinwazen, Zurich
Sells not only sake but also high-quality Japanese food, ceramics, and kitchenware.
Brands: Hojun, Kikusui, Taka, Tensei, Zaku
Refrigerated: -
Online shop: Yes

Shizuku, Zurich
Good selection at this Zurich location, which started as an online-retailer.
Brands: Fukugao, Gekkeikan, HeavenSake, Kozaemon, Matsumoto, and others
Refrigerated: Yes
Online shop: Yes