Stepping off of the train at the Echigo-Yuzawa station in Niigata, Japan, is a delightful entry into a profusion of exciting flavors, aromas, and sights. Food stalls stretch from one end of the Cocolo plaza to the other, overflowing with snack choices far too numerous to cover in this short post. But the real charm of this station nestled between the peaks of famous ski resort Mount Grand is the Ponshukan (ぽんしゅ館) Wall of Sake. You read that right, alcohol-lovers: Wall of Sake.
In this haven of non-judgment, you can toss 500 yen (about $5.00) at a local gatekeeper and receive five tokens and a tiny cup in return. These are no ordinary tokens, my human friends. These are spectacular, magical tokens that each open a spigot of liquid joy of your choosing. A literal Wall of Sake spread before you.
This is why train stations were created.
You may bound like an ecstatic puppy from spigot to spigot, filling your cup with liquid love and then emptying it with savoring sips or gasping gulps...each lush chooses their own method of intoxication at the Wall of Sake. When that last cup of clear, liquid rapture slips down your throat, take a short walk over to the gatekeeper who seems to have a limitless supply of sorcerous coins at the ready. Drop another fiver and get back to the most wonderful wall on earth, mortals!
But there’s a bonus round: Niigata prefecture is famous throughout the world for its sake as it is created from the purest water in all of Japan which is also used to create the best grains for alcohol production in the area, as well. Not just one BAM!, but two. BAM BAM! Each brand of sake is measured for your edification, including a sweetness meter. My favorite sake was a medium-sweet river brand with colors reminiscent of the Packer’s green-and-gold while my wife preferred a sweeter, milder treat.
If you happen to be in Japan and you have five bucks jingling around in your pocket, stop by the Echigo-Yazawa train station and meet the wizardly gatekeeper of the Wall of Sake. Keep in mind there’s no limit to how many magical tokens you can acquire. Kampai (cheers)!!
(MJH- a post by the husband)
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