Shinshu Osake Mura
A sake and beer store specializing in drinks from Nagano prefecture, this standing-room-only place also functions as a very casual bar where you can sample approximately 50 kinds of sake (pay by the 110-millileter glass), a dozen craft beers from brewers such as Shiga Kogen, and interesting snacks like spiced cow's tongue. A great option is one of the many reasonably priced three-sake sampler sets. It's tricky to find, being on the first floor of a very dated office building opposite the west exit of Shimbashi Station, but look for the big statue of a tanuki (raccoon dog) with extremely large testicles that's outside the building, then go in and turn right. The staff are very friendly and speak enough English to help with the sake choices. Beers are in bottles and cans in the fridge in the tiny backroom; you have to take them to the counter yourself to buy them.
