(updated on 22/12/2023)

Whilst online shopping has meant we have access to more saké than ever before; there is always a place for our local stores, from expert guidance to having a physical range we can see and touch to help us decide which saké is right for the occasion.

It is also incredibly important at the moment to support our favourite retailers however we can in these challenging times; otherwise we might lose our favourite stores and with them the saké we love to drink.

With that in mind, we have created a by no means complete list of as many great places to buy saké from as we could, including all of our personal favourites.

Click to jump to the State:
・NSW
・VIC
・QLD
・ACT
・WA
・SA
・Australia-wide

If you are looking for online shops, your online Saké shop guide is here.

(Shops in A to Z order)

NSW

Bottleshop Mino / Sake Honda

A restaurant on one half and a bottle store on the other. Miho brings together an excellent selection of exclusive saké they import themselves and that are unlikely to be found anywhere else in Australia; all of their staff are highly knowledgeable and able to guide you through their selection plus they frequently have samplings so you will most likely get to try something new regardless. They are a 5 minute walk from St Leonard’s station and absolutely worth the trip.

Amabuki Junmai Daiginjo Banana Yeast: Amabuki saké is unique in that they specialise in using unique yeasts, usually from flowers; this particular saké -like its name, carries flavours of creamy banana as well as lychee and with a refreshing texture, it’s certainly a winner.

Camperdown Cellars Parramatta Rd 

A fantastic range of all things liquor, the Parramatta Rd store also has a small but dedicated selection of sake (mostly sourced from Supersake) which includes a variety of styles and grades.

Just Liquor Cellars

This independent store is a 2 minute walk from Ashfield train station (also delivers Australia wide) and has one of the best ranges of saké in Sydney; they have an extensive range from nearly all of Australia’s importers and always seem to have something new to try. Well worth a visit.

Miracle Chatswood

A large Asian grocery located in the Mandarin Centre, Chatswood offering a great range of high quality saké including Hakkisan, Hassen, Dassai and more.

Orange Go

A large Asian grocery store offering a wide variety of saké including popular brands such as Dassai and Kiku-Masamune. Best of all they have 4 different stores spread out through central Sydney.

Palm Beach Wine Co

Filled with a huge array of local liquor and foods, Palm Beach Wine Co also has a great sake selection, largely from Blackmarket Sake.

P&V Merchants

A quirky store in Newtown, Sydney which specialises in small batch, natural products. They have a fantastic range of Japans national drink from Black Market Sake and run great educational events which usually match 7 or more saké with local artisanal foods.

Red Bottle (Sussex St)

Red Bottle is a franchise with each store’s range varying significantly however the Sussex St store usually has an excellent saké variety to choose from with the manager being very knowledgeable. *Please Note, Red Bottle is transitioning to having their full range online however at the time of writing only a small number of their saké was available*

Red Bottle has 8 different locations (5 in central Sydney as well as Chippendale, Alexandria and Ultimo) each with a slightly different range.

Sakeshop by Chef’s Armoury

A dedicated NSW store selling only exclusive, hand selected saké which are available nowhere else in Australia. They have a huge range ranging from fresh nama to aged koshu and run frequent tastings. Always a delight to visit.

Kaze No Mori Alpha Type 3: An absolute favourite of ours available only from Sake Shop; it is a nama-chozo (pasteurised only once) and junmai daiginjo (very top grade). This saké is definitely a newer style -clean and fruity with flavours of nectarine, lychee and green apple. Highly recommended.

The Oak Barrel

Established in 1956, The Oak Barrel is one of Australia’s oldest liquor stores offering a range of unique products including an impressive range of rotating saké sourced from a range of different suppliers. Also worth noting is their regular saké tastings and events.

Tokyo Mart Sydney

The Sydney store outlet for Jun Pacific. Tokyo Mart carries an incredible range of Japanese saké including being the official Australian importers of Dassai, Kiku-Masamune and Matsuura Honke. Without question, you will find a suitable saké here.

Matsuura Narutotai Nama Ginjo Genshu: A beautifully crisp saké, it is light and refreshing (with a slight effervescence), light umami and light stone fruit flavours with a fantastic finish. It basically has a little of everything in terms of flavour (in the best way) and is one of our favourites.

Winona Wine

A fantastic store where every single item is handle selected by the dedicated staff; there is an excellent variety despite the small shelf space. We understand there is regular tastings and events to watch out for too.

VIC

Calia

A unique retail and dining concept centred on giving people access to premium (think caviar, A5 Japanese wagyu and toro (tuna belly)) produce (which thankfully includes some incredible Japanese saké) in a retail space and offer affordable fine dining (using many of the same ingredients) in the adjacent dining area.

Crown Asian Supermarket

A well regarded Asian grocer offering a range of quality saké including a range of “cup saké”.

Fuji Mart Melbourne

The VIC store outlet for Jun Pacific. Fuji Mart carries an incredible range of Japanese saké including being the official Australian importers of Dassai, Kiku-Masamune and Matsuura Honke. Without question, you will find a suitable saké here.

Matsuura Narutotai Nama Ginjo Genshu: A beautifully crisp saké, it is light and refreshing (with a slight effervescence), light umami and light stone fruit flavours with a fantastic finish. It basically has a little of everything in terms of flavour (in the best way) and is one of our favourites.

Hinoki Japanese Pantry

Offering a fresh sushi bar with experienced chefs, this Fitzroy gem also stocks a wide range of Japanese grocery items including a great range of saké.

Nicks Wine Merchants

One of Australia’s biggest and best bottle stores; their online store is undoubtedly one of Australia’s greatest, with exceptional prices and while their physical store is more limited; it is always worth a trip.

Sakeshop by Chef’s Armoury

A dedicated VIC saké store selling only exclusive, hand selected saké which are available nowhere else in Australia. They have a truly outstanding range of saké ranging from nama (unpasteurised) to koshu (aged) and run frequent tastings and classes.

Kaze No Mori Alpha Type 3: An absolute favourite of ours available only from Sake Shop; it is a nama-chozo (pasteurised only once) and junmai daiginjo (very top grade). This saké is definitely a newer style -clean and fruity with flavours of nectarine, lychee and green apple. Highly recommended.

Tan Hung Asian Grocer

A particular great Asian grocer with a huge range of saké on offer, it is a store that is well regarded in the Australian saké community perhaps due to the great variety offered.

Tang Asian Food Emporium

A fantastic Asian grocer offering a huge range of saké and always seemingly busy perhaps due to their great prices.

Tokyo Hometown

An Asian grocer offering a particularly great range of Japanese alcohol which of course means a great range of saké.

QLD

Fuji Mart Gold Coast & Brisbane

The Qld store outlets for Jun Pacific. Fuji Mart carries an incredible range of Japanese saké including being the official Australian importers of Dassai, Kiku-Masamune and Matsuura Honke. Without question, you will find a suitable saké here.

Matsuura Narutotai Nama Ginjo Genshu: A beautifully crisp saké, it is light and refreshing (with a slight effervescence), light umami and light stone fruit flavours with a fantastic finish. It basically has a little of everything in terms of flavour (in the best way) and is one of our favourites.

Smile Mart

A smaller Asian grocer offering a number of different saké options and Asian alcohol.

ACT

Plonk

This independent, family owned bottle store prides itself on their range of local and handpicked international items. Plonk have a smaller saké selection but offer enough variety to please local customers.

WA

Fuji Mart Perth

The WA store outlet for Jun Pacific. Fuji Mart carries an incredible range of Japanese saké including being the official Australian importers of Dassai, Kiku-Masamune and Matsuura Honke. Without question, you will find a suitable saké here.

Matsuura Narutotai Nama Ginjo Genshu: A beautifully crisp saké, it is light and refreshing (with a slight effervescence), light umami and light stone fruit flavours with a fantastic finish. It basically has a little of everything in terms of flavour (in the best way) and is one of our favourites.

Lion’s Oriental Foods Co

An iconic family owned store, headed by the legendary Sandra “Queen Of Sake” Gwee who has organised many of Perth’s saké festival as well as running Kodawari Sake Education. There is an extensive selection from some Australia’s biggest saké importers.

Tsunami

This outstanding Japanese restaurant is one Perth’s best sources of saké and saké events. Tsunami is a co-founder of Supersake and not only can you find their fantastic range available for takeaway sale but they also offer many nama (unpastuerised) saké which though available on Supersake must be picked up from here.

Miyoshikiku “You Cannot Kill Me” Tokubetsu Junmai Nama: A fantastic producer who’s sake have an incredible cult following both in Japan and abroad. Super fresh and fruity with flavours of pineapple, stone fruit and green apple.

SA

Little Tokyo

A fantastic central Adelaide Japanese grocer which sells a great assortment of Japanese products including Saké. Unfortunately, while they have a great range of saké ochoko and tokkuri (traditional cups and servers) available for shipping, actual saké is currently instore only.

Homes Supermarket

New to Adelaide’s bustling Chinetown scene is Homes Supermarket, offering a range of sake and with an onsite bakery making daily fresh bread, a deli offering tasty, ready meals and a range of great speciality international snacks; you can find plenty of sakana (drinking snacks) to enjoy with your sake.

Parade Cellars

An independent liquor store specialising in a great selection of wine, craft beer, spirits and sake. Parade Cellars currently has a great range of sake from Deja Vu including the ever popular Houraisen brand (if in stock we recommend the Wa Ginjo and Bi Daiginjo) known for their clean, fruity and slightly sweet flavour profiles, Houraisen has become of the most popular sake in Australia.

Australia-wide

Dan Murphy’s

One of Australia’s biggest chain stores. They have an extremely limited range of saké in-store but thankfully offer a fantastic online range (see our note here). We are hesitant in recommending them but when there are no better options around and a saké is needed urgently (we know the feeling quite well) Dan Murphy’s offer a small selection that’s affordable and easily accessible. If you spot it in store the Houraisen Kasumizuki Junmai with its smooth texture, mild umami and light stone fruit flavours is a great choice.

We hope this guide will be of use and of course, if you know of any great hidden gems where we can satisfy our saké obsession, please do let us know.

Kenpai, Daniel.