Right by Shibuya Station! Drink, buy, and enjoy Japanese wine! ~WINE SHOP nico Shibuya~

Shibuya Station is a major terminal surrounded by numerous station buildings, with over 160,000 daily passengers.
It goes without saying that it is a convenient station for transportation and shopping, and there are naturally plenty of options when it comes to wine shops.
However, if you narrow the criteria specifically to "shops where you can enjoy Japanese wine," how many places can you bring to mind?

Located on the 6th floor of Tokyu Plaza Shibuya, just steps from Shibuya Station, the standing wine bar & Japanese wine shop WINE SHOP nico Shibuya is a shop where you can both drink and buy Japanese wine—fulfilling both desires, making it undoubtedly one of the first places any Japanese wine enthusiast should think of.

The owner, Mr. Keita Arakaki, is a Japanese wine professional who not only has restaurant experience, but also studied winemaking seriously himself at the Chikuma River Wine Academy.
In the large cellar inside the open, spacious interior, about 100 items selected by him are always on display, and together with storage space, the total stock is said to be around 800 bottles! Having 800 bottles of Japanese wine alone is an impressive figure.

So, while the shop is a "kakuuchi" (standing wine bar/shop), how exactly can you enjoy your time here?
Mr. Arakaki guided us through its charm.

The lineup of wines displayed in the custom-built cellar inside the shop is irresistible to Japanese wine lovers.
From standard selections to somewhat rare bottles, the producing regions are diverse.

These wines can be purchased to drink at home, or enjoyed right inside the shop for an uncorking fee of ¥500 after purchase.
Adding just a ¥500 uncorking fee to the retail price in such a convenient location is remarkably reasonable, isn't it?

You can also bring in wines purchased from other shops and enjoy them inside for a corkage fee of ¥2,000.
It's perfect for wine gatherings—and even if you run out of wine, you're completely fine!

Furthermore, the food at nico boasts a quality that will delight any wine lover.
From snacks that pair wonderfully with wine to satisfying meal options, the menu goes beyond what you would expect from a standard "kakuuchi." The tastefully selected cheese platter is also well worth noting.
In fact, the dishes here are supervised by Futako-Tamagawa's popular cheese restaurant, "Bar le à Fromage Sous-Voiles.
Chef Yosuke Fujita of the restaurant is a talented culinary artist who was selected as one of 20 Silver Eggs in the "U-35" 2024 young chef competition hosted by Gurunavi, Inc.
Being able to casually enjoy such dishes alongside your favorite wine is exceptionally appealing.

And the particularly eye-catching wine cap seal artwork inside the shop was created by the owner of Bar à Fromage Sous Voile, Hiromi Tanida. Mr. Tanida is also active as an artist.
It is reportedly so magnificent that it has become a photo spot for guests visiting to enjoy wine.

These two items have recently arrived:

◼️Project933, Chardonnay 2023 (White) 750ml ¥12,100 (incl. tax) ◼️Project933, Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon 2023 (White) 750ml ¥8,800 (incl. tax)

This wine is a collaboration between Reeze Choi, a Hong Kong sommelier named Asia's No. 1 at the A.S.I. Best Sommelier of the World Competition 2023 in Paris, and Takashi Yokomachi of Vinoble Vineyard, a winery in Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, which earned the title of World's Best Sauvignon Blanc at IWSC 2022.

Choi traveled from Hong Kong to Hiroshima multiple times, staying with Yokomachi and getting directly involved in every stage—from pruning and harvesting to fermentation and assemblage—to craft this meticulously made wine.

In total, only 40 bottles of Chardonnay and 120 bottles of Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon have entered Japan.
Offered as a limited release of a select allocation, this is a must-try item for anyone seeking world-class quality.

Located on the 6th floor of Tokyu Plaza, just steps from Shibuya Station.
At this convenient spot that is perfect for meeting up, you can drop in casually for a standing-bar style glass one day, or open a bottle to enjoy alongside a full meal on another. Gathering for a BYOB wine party once in a while sounds like great fun, too.
Also, the monthly events featuring winemakers are well worth checking out.
Whatever the occasion, it is a reliable venue that truly lives up to the expectations of Japanese wine fans.

https://www.nico-wine.com/shibuya