“HOTERU Kichijouji Honten”
A place to enjoy Kanzake without distraction
When I noticed, I was already serving myself Kanzake (a warmed Japanese Sake), and enjoying myself. I am sure that I am not the only one who thinks this way when you are at “HOTERU Kichijouji Honten”. From elders who have experienced the awful taste of cheap sake, to young people who are still not used to enjoying sake because of its image as “a strong alcohol which gives you a big hangover”, many people came to this restaurant and change to become a big fan of Kanzake.
The master of the place, Mr.Takuya Ogura is not the kind of man who force Kanzake to his customers, nor does he talks excitedly about it. He just sits there, and welcomes all people who comes to his restaurant. His doors are always wide open, and you could see how open it is when you see the sake menu. There are beers, and many kinds of liquors so there are people who come but does not drink Kanzake at all. But Ogura seems not to care much. He respects his customer’s way of drinking. On the menu, there is either “Cup Sake” or “Masa Ichigou” for Japanese Sake selection. However, you are able to find many sake bottles of various brands such as Tamazakura, Hiokisakura, Suiryu, etc… all of them well known and loved by many sake fans. A sake collector will love to boast his selections if he or she was in Ogura’s shoes, but Ogura doesn’t speak much about the sake even when the customer orders sake. He only asks the customer what kind of sake he or she would like to have, and then he picks one from his selection, warms it, serves the sake to the customer, and then leave towards the kitchen as if he is nothing but a waiter.
“Kanzake is not something which should be drunk so seriously. It should be more enjoyable and simple minded. It doesn’t matter if it is an expensive brand sake or not, I want everyone to drink sake and enjoy the taste. I want to be close to the customer’s needs. What kind of sake will suit him or her today? How warm should it be? I like to think of those things to please everyone who comes to drink at my place.”
Says Ogura.
He usually speaks very little. But everyone who is served Kanzake by Ogura is warmed not only in the body, but also in the heart. Everyone is touched by the warm gentle service of the master, and their faces turn into a smile. The warmth spreads around the room, and there are no need for words to explain this happy feeling.
HOTERU Kichijouji Honten
A small pub with a counter. Not only Kanzake, but there are varieties of alcohol such as beer, hoppy and lemon sour. The foods are also very delicious, and especially pig tripe stew, ham cutlet goes very well with the drink.
1-30-14 Kichijouji Honchou, Musasino-shi
Tokyo, Japan
Tel: 0422-23-8033
Open from 4:00PM to 12:00AM
No scheduled holidays.
