Awamori Soko

Awamori Soko calls itself a members' bar, and its site asks first-time guests to phone or message on LINE before they come. Courses then take one to four people. More than 800 awamori stand on the shelves at any time, and the bar uses them to tell the islands' story, from the spirit's near loss in the Second World War to its revival. Chiyoizumi distillery on Miyako-jima closed in 2018, and the bar's 31/32 project bottles the spirit left in its storehouse.

Food follows the season and the growers, so there is no fixed menu. Expect court dishes such as minudaru and duru-wakashi alongside jimami tofu and tougan-zuke candied winter melon. Once a month the bar serves irabu-jiru made from sea snake in limited portions you can reserve, and staff choose awamori to match each plate after asking what you like.