Ponshu-kan: Three Cheers For Sake Vending Machines With 117 Selections In Niigata, Japan

With so many sake breweries in Japan, there’s no doubt that savouring all of them will be a problem. But when it comes to innovation, we can always leave it to the Japanese.

Located at JR Echigo-Yuzawa station in the Niigata prefecture, Ponshukan (ぽんしゅ館) serves sake in a fun manner; through vending machines, of course.

For ¥500 (S$6.30++), you get five tokens and a sake tasting cup. After which, it is very straightforward: place the cup at the dispenser, insert a token into the sake machine of your choice, and wait for the sake to dispense.

The problem? Having to pick from a huge selection of 117 different kinds of sake that were produced in over 95 sake breweries in Niigata, as well as 22 other recommended brands.

This is really a haven for sake lovers. But for heaven’s sake, drink responsibly.

Expected damage:‎ ¥500 (approx S$6.30++)

Ponshu-kan: JR Echigo Yuzawa Station, 2427-3 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi Minamiuonuma-gun, Niigata 949-6101 | Tel: 025-784-3758 | Opening Hours: 9am – 6pm (Daily, Apr to Dec), 9am – 8pm (Daily, Jan to Mar)