HAMA BAR — Restaurant in Kashima

I really love this sake bar! The owner was very warm and welcoming, despite me coming alone on a quiet weekday afternoon last December (there was only one other customer at the counter seat). Although we dont fully understand each other, all we need is Google Translate and we managed to have a good chat (he told me about the Saga Balloon Festival!).

I had a few hours to my train ride but decided to chill away at this one single spot to enjoy some sake from this region. I chose the Daiginjo Set (¥1,500) and taste 5 different brewery's sake (40ml each). Owner shared a little more with me about the sake (suggest I drink from left to right), but he also kindly gave me some lone time to enjoy the wonderful sakes.

It feels a little countryside but I love the peace and quiteness of this place - with wonderful sake, nice owner and a beautiful view beyond the station - this is a gem to me, one which I hope I will...

I came to Hizenhama to visit the Hizen Lodge, where there are historical buildings and sake breweries. Unfortunately, the lodge was quite disappointing as there are not many interesting attractions. In bit low spirits, I came back to the Hizen-Hama station to catch a train. The bar offered some set tasting options. As I didn't have enough time, I took the master's recommendation with 3 sakes in 3 different categories with 80ml each. This was the best he thought in his selection. It was 1300 yen and all of them were great. I really liked Junmai Daiginjo Nokomi, which was the highest quality of the three. (The middle in the photo). He did...

Great little bar right by the station. The staff also runs the info center and is super helpful and polite! We tried many different local sakes and wanted to buy some bottles but the popular ones were out :(

Recommend to those that want to sample and kill some time while...