Best Local Brews To Drink While On Your Japan Train Journey

Travelling by train in Japan is a visual delight. A leisurely train journey allows travellers to fully appreciate the country's diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. In addition to the captivating scenery, train travel in Japan is renowned for its exceptional onboard dining options. Passengers can indulge in various gourmet offerings, including local beverages that enhance the culinary experience. Here are some must-try local brews to make your train journey in Japan even more enjoyable.

Craft Beer

Experience the Koshino ShuKura in Niigata—a train journey that beautifully combines breathtaking landscapes with the enjoyment of exceptional craft beer. As you travel through the enchanting Echigo-Yuzawa region, known for its renowned sake and shochu breweries, you'll have the opportunity to savour refreshing drinks onboard while immersing yourself in the stunning views of lush rice fields and charming villages.

Chuhai

Chuhai is an enticing Japanese ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage that’s a must-try. This refreshing low-alcohol cocktail combines the delightful essence of shochu, a traditional Japanese spirit, with bubbly carbonated water and diverse flavours—such as zesty lemon, tangy grapefruit, crisp apple, juicy orange, and tropical pineapple. You can even find it sold by food carts on the Shinkansen, making it incredibly convenient to enjoy as you travel.

Sake

If you love savouring the rich flavours of aromatic, aromatic rice wine, don't miss the chance to embark on a journey aboard the Koshino ShuKura train. This unique sake-themed adventure celebrates the finest offerings of Niigata Prefecture, providing an exciting experience filled with engaging events, captivating performances, and breathtaking views. On this train journey, you'll expertly indulge in exquisite sake tastings paired with delectable local delicacies, ensuring a delightful culinary experience.

Awamori

Awamori, also known as shimazake (island sake), is a unique alcoholic beverage from Okinawa and one of Japan's oldest distilled spirits, dating back 600 years. Unlike sake, which is brewed, awamori is produced through distillation, similar to shochu. It is made using a unique black koji mould native to Okinawa, which imparts distinctive flavours and aromas to the drink.

Umeshu

Umeshu is a popular Japanese plum wine that many passengers enjoy while travelling by train. It's often sipped on the rocks or mixed with soda, making it a refreshing drink during the ride, particularly when admiring the scenic views. Umeshu is considered a perfect accompaniment to Japan's relaxed atmosphere of train journeys. This sweet and sour liqueur is made by steeping unripe plums (ume) in sugar and alcohol, usually shochu. Passengers frequently drink umeshu on the rocks, with soda, or even with hot water. Additionally, many train stations feature convenience stores where travellers can easily purchase a bottle of umeshu.