Nagashima Sake Shop, the source of energy in Okabe-juku

Founded in 1905, Nagashima Sake Brewery stocks a wide variety of Fujieda sake, including Hatsukame Brewery, which has been a longtime business partner, and is also a grocery store for local residents. The fifth-generation owner is a community contributor who lives with the town.

A liquor store offering a wide selection of local sake and a local grocer

The name suggests a liquor store, but in addition to sake, the store also carries vegetables and fruits. In fact, when the first owner started the business, he began by selling vegetables he grew himself. He also sold matches, miso, peanuts, and many other items by weight. When the liquor sales system was established during the second owner’s tenure, he obtained a license and officially started selling alcohol as a sake store.

Just 1 km away from the store is Hatsukame Brewery, the oldest sake brewery in Shizuoka Prefecture. Because of their long business relationship, they are often able to receive rare sake wholesale from the brewery. That is why there are many Hatsukame in the store. Including this Hatsukame, the store has a large selection of Suginishiki and Shidaisen, which are representative brands of each of Fujieda’s proud sake breweries.

I asked the owner in a layman’s way if it would be easier for customers to buy the sake they wanted if the brewery was close by. I was told that the sake breweries do not have much sake in stock because they distribute most of their sake to retailers. Therefore, some customers come from far away to the store to buy the sake they want. It also seems to be chosen as a gift or souvenir for people outside Shizuoka Prefecture.

Okabe-juku, where the store is located, prospered in the Edo period as the 21st post town on the 53rd leg of the Tokaido Highway. The store is located at the intersection of the old Tokaido Highway and a new road, and the unusual (and common for inns) intersection is said to be the Masugata site.

However, as in other local cities, the population of Okabe has decreased over time, and the number of stores in the surrounding area is fewer than before.

The reason why the store and its owner are still in existence is because they are needed by the community.

The owner is full of energy and passion for the community.

This is Toshiaki Nagashima, the fifth-generation owner. He is a very cheerful and friendly person, and he is always willing to talk with you even if you have never met him before.

If you stop by to shop and talk with Mr. Nagashima, you are sure to leave feeling invigorated.

Mr. Nagashima made the decision to take over the store when he was in high school. He said, “I thought I would be working for the family since I was in high school.

At the time when the liquor license system was strict, it was customary for most people to go to wholesalers or retailers for training in order to take over the store, so Mr. Nagashima also went to a retailer in Shizuoka City for two years. After that, he returned to the store, where he works to this day.

Born and raised in Okabe, he is energetically working to energize not only his store, but also the town and people of Okabe. He is the head and director of several associations and unions in his work and community, and is a person people can count on.

One of the reasons he became involved in the community was when he was in his 20s and was invited by his neighbor Gisuke Nakayama (father of former Japanese national soccer player Masashi Nakayama) to become a member of the social education committee.

He is also involved in a project to raise children who love Okabe, and is working with the hope that they will grow up and leave Okabe, but return in the future.

When we asked Mr. Nagashima what his motivation is, he modestly replied, “I hope to be a bridge between the thoughts of the teachers and the local people, even if only a little.

Also, in the bag he wears on his waist, he always has a warning card for soccer referees. He used to be an official referee, and now he says mischievously, “If I see an old man making rude remarks at the fruit and vegetable market, I give him a warning.

Such a busy husband, his dependable wife, and daughter are working together to run the store.

A variety of antiques displayed in the store

The walls of the store are decorated with old items from the past. They are not collected from the past, but most of them were found at home or used in the past, such as alcohol containers, signboards, and tools.

In addition, the large table tops on the tables in the waiting room of the store were made from pine trees that were about to be discarded when the rows of pine trees, one of the symbols of the Tokaido Highway, were cut down. It is interesting that history continues to live on as a part of daily life.

Mr. Nagashima seems to genuinely value things and the history and feelings that accompany them.

I was also impressed by the way he said, “I like to do things the way they were done in the past.” I like to do what we have been doing for a long time.

When you visit the store, I recommend that you take a look at the items with various episodes. If you are lucky, you may be able to see some of the valuable items behind the door.

Please feel free to stop by Nagashima Sake Brewery, which has a variety of attractions.

Extra

On days when the Japanese national soccer team has a game, they put up a flag of the Japanese national team in front of the store! Let’s cheer when you find it♪