Kurand Sake Market offers an opportunity to try a wide variety of premium sake from lesser known breweries, but
it comes with a little bit of danger for anyone without a good sense of restraint. The sake is offered in an all-you-can-drink format with no time limit for ¥3240 (tax included). There are also options for 30-minute (¥1080) or 90-minute (¥2160) courses if you don’t expect to stay for long. Included in the courses are 100 types of each sake, shochu and fruit liqueurs from Kurand’s adjoining bar, Shugar.
To help customers that can’t read Japanese, the English menu lists sake by numbers that conveniently correspond to the labeling of bottles in the fridge. It’s also self-serve–just pick a bottle you like, pour it in your glass, and bring it back to your table. Though there are some small snacks such as mixed nuts and cream cheese on the menu (all ¥200), you are welcome to bring your own food. As you might expect, the atmosphere is casual and can get a little animated during the weekend. Kurand usually has a couple special events each month at which brewery representatives visit to introduce their brands, mingle with customers, and hold contests for sake-related prizes.
Customers vary from business professionals unwinding after work to families (the bar is non-smoking). There is seating for about 40, but don’t expect to get a seat on weekends without a reservation made at least a week in advance. Kurand is a convenient 5-minute walk from Yokohama Station’s west exit.
