Commemorative sake in ceramic bottles for the Hokkaido Shinkansen — high collectible value

★ETtoday EBC News reminds you: Minors should not consume alcohol. Excessive drinking is harmful to health. Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking.

▲The commemorative sake in the shape of the Hokkaido Shinkansen boasts a highly textured ceramic bottle that’s irresistible to collectors.

Reported and photographed by Lin Yuying / Hokkaido

To celebrate the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, a well-known Japanese sake brewer has launched a limited-edition H5 train-shaped sake, brewed with local junmai rice and featuring a ceramic bottle design with exceptional collectible appeal, making it a must-have item on the shopping lists of many sake and bullet train enthusiasts.

One of the spots near the first station of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, “Kikonai Station,” is an old-established shop called “Totsu Shoten,” which sells a wide variety of Japanese sake, including locally brewed junmai and handcrafted sake from Hokkaido. The friendly owner and his wife offer tastings and detailed introductions, allowing visitors to sample at their leisure before deciding to purchase. The quaint shop also sells the highly popular “Hokkaido Shinkansen” commemorative sake, which can be found just a five-minute walk from the station exit.

▲The H5 train-shaped sake, around 300ml, is brewed with local Hokkaido junmai rice and is priced at approximately NT$1,000.

▲The shop owner and his wife allow customers to taste and provide thoughtful introductions so you can decide after sampling.

▲This charming old shop also offers a variety of Japanese sake.

▲Doesn’t the commemorative sake really resemble the real Shinkansen?

In addition, as the first station of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, Kikonai has established a visitor center (rest area) to welcome more travelers. From architecture and souvenirs to restaurants and food shops, every detail has been carefully considered. At the rest area, you can enjoy premium local wagyu beef and bread made with Hokkaido milk and wheat. The station also offers guided tours to help visitors quickly immerse themselves in and learn about the area’s tourism highlights.

▲The Kikonai Station rest area and its surroundings offer plenty of delicious food and fun activities.

＊Totsu Shoten
Address: 329 Honcho, Kikonai-cho, Kamiiso-gun, Hokkaido
Phone: 01392-2-2073
Located near the Kikonai South Exit, just a ~2-minute walk (170m) away.

★ETtoday EBC News reminds you: Minors should not consume alcohol. Excessive drinking is harmful to health. Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking.