Self-service booze in the Far East!

It's  no secret that I enjoy an occasional alcoholic beverage, as does most of Japan, a country not being burdened by the cultural/religious baggage hauled to north america by Puritan fundamentalists. That being said, I enjoy exploring our new area in quest of old favorites and new experiences in the bacchanalian millieu.

Yesterday when we were out I spotted a rather large liquor shop near the Bullet Train Station in Shimonoseki. I entered with doubts since the last 2 weeks had turned up nothing of consequence. My fears were rapidly quelled by a view that reminded me of a "Liquor Barn" I used to frequent in Pacific Grove, California, on a much smaller scale of course.

I was quite pleased to find that they not only carried my favorite solera rum "Zacapa", but a wide variety of other imports. in fact the best selection I've seen in Japan to date.

Heading to the cash register with the last bottle of "Santa Teresa 1796" solera rum, I notice two very large earthenware casks against the wall. As you can see from the picture they provide the customer with a choice of either sweet potato(left) or wheat(right) spirits called shochu in Japanese. They provide the customer with self-service "hooch" in varying sized plastic bottles. I'm not clear on re-cycling the bottles, but they supply bottles in four different sizes.
Purist claim that the shochu from these casks tastes better as it continues the aging process until the time of purchase, thus making it better than the already bottled booze.
I contented myself with the previously mentioned rum and took some pictures while my mother-in-law commented that I took photos of everything, needless to say, but I will anyway, I'll be heading back there once my bicycle situation gets settled for a small bottle of each; just to see if the purists are right and to spin the Puritans in their graves.