Sakaya Kurihara Web Site (in Japanese only).

Just a few quick notes on this wonderful, oft-quoted, sake shop, tucked away in a very quiet Motoazabu neighborhood. Once, I timed which station is the quickest out of three, Azabu Juban, Roppongi, or Hiroo. I believe Azabu Juban was the closest, but takes about 8 minutes from the station.

Kurihara carries an excellent selection, and be sure to ask to see their “cave”, or back room. Once Mrs. Kurihara said they only pick the sake they want to drink. That’ll pretty much tell you their philosophy. Kurihara also runs a sake bar in Ginza, Kuri, which I admit I have not yet been to, but I’ve heard great things about the place. Sakaya Kurihara often host interesting events, so I would recommend checking their events page。

Lebanon Cafe is right across from Kurihara and that’s actually how I stumbled upon this quaint shop in Azabu and totally forgot to get to the cafe!

Directions to Sakaya Kurihara

Address: 3-6-17,Motoazabu,Minato-ku,Tokyo

Yahoo map in Japanese

From Azabu Juban Station

Azabu Juban Station exit at Azabu Juban Shotengai or Wendy’s. Go up the Shotengai toward Roppongi, take a left at St. Moriz/Azabu Juban Onsen corner.

Take the first right. You will see Salvation Army on your left and a curry shop on your right.

You will pass this cool looking building (last time I passed here, it was for sale).

When you come to this fork, look or a red/blue/while barber sign. Next to that barber sign, you will see Sakaya Kurihara.

From Hiroo

From Hiroo, go past Arisugawanomiya Memorial Park toward the Chinese Embassy. At this corner with the Bon Pinard (picture taken summer 2006) sign for a French Restaurant, take a right. I believe it is about 3-5 minutes walk from the restaurant.

Te-chan in this picture is trying to get the positioning reading off the GPS device.

From Roppongi

Roppongi station->Roppongi Hills Tsutaya to go to Azabu Juban Shotengai. When you find Azabu Juban Onzen, follow the same directions as from Azabu Juban.

I think this is a good English map of Roppongi to help you get the idea where Kurihara is, but it is only available in pdf.

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