Marushu Bar and Shop in Karakuen, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo-ken, Japan
The name of the bar and shop is "Marushu", meaning "circle" (Maru) and "Liquor" (Sake, or the alternate reading: Shu) which in context has the meaning of "good liquor". This is exactly what to expect as the proprietor Takayuki-san has carefully selected everything on offer, right down to the various snacks that are also on offer.
A vast selection of sake and liquor from around Japan.
As Marushu is located in Hyogo-ken, in the central part of the largest Japanese island Honshu, many of the sake brands on offer originate from the southern island of Kyushu along with other brands from Niigata and elsewhere. Sake from these regions are somewhat interesting to locals in Nishinomiya, as the Nishinomiya and neighbouring Nada regions - known as Nadagogo (the 5 sake brewing wards) are arguably Japan's "ground zero" for sake brewing, and thus the most ubiquitous.
You won't find these brands in a supermarket or chain store.
On that note, Marushu is quite the interesting bar and shop, where the brands on offer are sometimes limited production items and may not be available regularly. While we were there, our staff sampled some local Japanese "XYGIN" gin which was the last bottle from a recent batch made, with no plans (at the time of printing) to make any more! Such is the experience when visiting an independent liquor shop in Japan... you never know what's available!
A selection of the varieties of sake and gin available... but some are in limited quantities.
At Marushu the focus is on Japanese rice wine, or sake, but there's also whiskey, Gin, Beer and others on offer. To complete these a range of snacks such as dried Herring slices, canned roast chicken, salamis, dried squid strips and more are available to eat at the bar or take home.
Known as a "standing bar" (very little to no seating), visitors can sit if they wish at the counter table.
Quality tin cups made by Nakago were also available! See our report about these fine handmade sake cups.
Takayuki-san, the proprietor of Marushu, runs the store and can recommend any sake or other liquor to locals and tourists alike. We had a fun mid-afternoon trying various brands of sake and gin, as well as trying out some of the more exotic (well, for tourists perhaps) snacks that were available. The somewhat salty dried Herring slices were quite well suited to the sweeter, full bodied flavour from the sake. A very good match recommended by Takayuki-san. Thank you!
One of the more interesting sake brands on offer.
You never know what to expect when visiting independent liquor shops in Japan, the owners of these establishments are up against stiff competition and having a unique character or point of interest is vital to stay open. Marushu definitely ticks all the boxes in that regard and is well worth the visit if you are in Nishinomiya.
Address: Comfort Kurakuen, 12-30 Matsuocho, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rZA6aaZFW6yioMpR7