Sake, Souvenirs, and Smiles: Kinbara Saketen in Hekinan

In our previous articles, we highlighted Hekinan as a city worth exploring for its renowned producers of high-quality local specialties such as white soy sauce and mirin. Thanks to these exceptional makers, Hekinan is a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts and anyone eager to experience the renowned cuisine of the Nagoya region.

This time, however, we want to focus on a unique establishment in Hekinan that offers a valuable opportunity to connect with both locals and fellow travelers: Kinbara Saketen. 

While it's a liquor store where you can learn about Japan's signature alcoholic drinks, Kinbara Saketen also serves as a gathering point for local goods that make wonderful souvenirs from the area surrounding Nagoya – from tasty edible gifts to fashionable and useful items perfect for remembering your trip.

Kinbara Saketen: A Gathering Place for Locals and Visitors 

Kinbara Saketen first opened as a liquor shop in Hekinan in 1923. Mr. Kinbara Hiroaki is the fourth-generation owner and manager of the facility. 

Over time, the shop has broadened its offerings to include a variety of local Hekinan products ideal as souvenirs, such as mirin and white soy sauce, snacks that complement alcoholic drinks, and premium gift items.

What makes Kinbara Saketen special is its in-store drinking corner “kakuuchi”, a casual spot for both locals and visitors. The store also hosts events like the annual Oyster Festival every winter, which attracts many loyal customers and fans.

Due to these events and its open, welcoming atmosphere that reminds of Japan’s roadside stations, Kinbara Saketen has become a vibrant place where people come together and enjoy each other's company over a drink. It's also a destination that brings together the best of Hekinan's local offerings, making it a draw for visitors.

Promoting Japan’s Kakuuchi Culture–Casually Drinking at the Liquor Sho

A key reason for Kinbara Saketen's popularity is its generous kakuuchi policy. They encourage customers to try various alcoholic beverages before making a purchase. In their designated kakuuchi corner, you can sample drinks available in the store for a fee, allowing you to carefully choose the alcoholic beverage that is right for you.

The term kakuuchi has historical roots, referring to the practice of drinking from a freshly purchased sake bottle right at the liquor shop. 

This custom is believed to have originated with workers like factory laborers and miners,  who wanting a drink right away, would open their purchased alcohol and consume it at the shop. The Kitakyushu region of Fukuoka is especially well-known as an area where kakuuchi culture thrived and gained significant popularity.

Kinbara Saketen actively promotes the kakuuchi culture as a way for people to socialize and enjoy sake together, sharing stories and lively conversations. This is why they established the kakuuchi corner within the shop. 

This space allows customers to taste sake from a selection of more than 100 bottles, complemented by simple snacks, including some prepared with care by the owner’s mother.

Interacting with the shop owner, staff, and even other customers provides opportunities to learn about sake and the best ways to enjoy it: straight, on the rocks, with mineral water, or warmed. Kakuuchi is a casual yet informative way to learn about sake and other alcoholic beverages from professionals while actually tasting them.

Over 1,500 Types of Alcoholic Beverages from All Around Japan !

In Japan, all alcoholic beverages, often broadly referred to as "sake," are the result of dedicated artisans who deeply value their inherited traditions and the quality of their products. This includes nihonshu (Japanese rice wine), shochu (distilled liquor), whiskey, beer, wine, and fruit liqueurs.

Kinbara Saketen proudly features alcoholic beverages from nearly every region of Japan, with a special emphasis on local Aichi brands and distilled spirits from Kyushu prefectures like Kagoshima and Miyazaki. 

They offer over 1,500 types of spirits, ranging from nihonshu and shochu to Japanese wine. The owner can advise customers on the best choices based on the occasion.

In addition to the tasting experience, Kinbara Saketen also provides the ability to buy certain alcoholic beverages by measure. This allows local patrons to bring their own bottles or containers and purchase only the quantity they need, presenting an eco-friendly approach to buying sake. 

Among the beverages available by volume is Grappa, a distinctive shochu (distilled liquor) crafted from sake lees.

Among the local specialties, we particularly want to highlight Hekinan Bijin, a shochu (distilled liquor) crafted using Hekinan carrots. These carrots are a high-quality local product known for their exceptional sweetness and fragrance.

Kinbara Saketen also showcases the Shikishima brand of nihonshu (Japanese rice sake) from the Chita Peninsula in Aichi Prefecture. To assist customers, they provide detailed descriptions of each sake's flavor and characteristics, simplifying the selection process based on individual needs.

If you're looking to try a specific type of Japanese alcoholic beverage, don't hesitate to ask the staff for assistance. They will gladly guide you to the product or suggest a similar one that you might enjoy.

Souvenir Shopping: Snacks, Seasonings, and Other Local Products

At Kinbara Saketen, you can discover a wide array of locally sourced seasonings and products, particularly those that Hekinan is famous for, such as mirin and white soy sauce. 

Mirin, a fundamental cooking ingredient in Japanese cuisine, is produced by five different factories in Hekinan, and Kinbara Saketen proudly carries all five brands. 

Their selection also includes white soy sauce products and various other seasonings like Kurata pepper, a prized black pepper, and Hama natto, a highly nutritious fermented soybean specialty from nearby Toyohashi. 

For anyone wanting to experience the best of Aichi's regional specialties, Kinbara Saketen is a great place to visit.

You'll also find a wide variety of snacks at the shop, ideal for enjoying as they are or pairing with alcoholic beverages. 

One product Mr. Kinbara suggests trying is the Ika Futomaru, which is a dried squid snack that tastes fantastic with mayonnaise.

Another excellent option is Kirimaru, an original local ramen from the western Mikawa region where Hekinan is located. These noodles are perfect for making authentic ramen at home, ideal for those wanting to recreate the Japanese flavors they enjoyed during their travels. Kirimaru Ramen is a season-limited product, available only in summer and winter.

Cool Original Products: Ideal as Mementos from Your Trip

Kinbara Saketen also features a range of original merchandise, including T-shirts, caps, badges, and stickers. These items proudly display the shop's logo: a stylized rendition of the kanji character 金 (kin), representing "gold" and the Kinbara name. The owner himself contributed to the design of these products, ensuring they embody the inventive and joyful atmosphere that defines Kinbara Saketen.

We were particularly drawn to the T-shirts featuring the Japanese word for "local." Wearing one of these while traveling throughout Japan is likely to bring smiles, spark engaging conversations, and help you connect with local people.

Mr. Kinbara is holding a maekake inscribed with the logo of Aizakura, a local brand of mirin

Also unique and ideal as a memento is a maekake apron. A maekake is a special, durable apron traditionally used by Japanese craftspeople and workers, representing a mindset of dedication and striving for excellence in their work. 

Kinbara Saketen has gathered a wide selection of maekake aprons from local producers, transforming them into stylish items. Featuring kanji inscriptions of local brand names, these maekake aprons are both fashionable and humorous, while also being very practical.

summary

We hope this glimpse into the charm of Kinbara Saketen encourages you to include it in your travel plans when you visit Hekinan. The shop is conveniently located about an 16-minute walk from Hekinanchuo Station on the Meitetsu Line.

 and is also near Japanese Cuisine KOBANTEN, a restaurant where you can savor Nagoya specialties such as hitsumabushi, kaiseki cuisine, and seasonal dishes.

Beyond being a well-regarded and reliable liquor store, Kinbara Saketen serves as a hub for the finest products from Hekinan and Aichi Prefecture, proudly showcasing the region's craftsmanship. Moreover, by creating a welcoming environment for both locals and visitors through their kakuuchi in-store drinking area, Kinbara Saketen actively contributes to the vitality of the Hekinan community.

Access

Kinbara Saketen is conveniently located a 16-minute walk from Hekinan Chuo Station, accessible via the Meitetsu Line.

Hekinan Chuo is easily reached by train, with a 60-minute journey from Nagoya or a 1 hour and 30-minute journey from Central Japan International Airport, Nagoya (NGO).