Buti

Tucked into Akarui Hanazono 5-ban-gai in Shinjuku Golden Gai, buti is a six-seat counter bar that Chiemi Mama from Shunan, Yamaguchi has tended for over nine years. The name "buti" means "incredibly" in the dialect of Yamaguchi and Hiroshima, and the bar lives up to it: around 16 local Yamaguchi sakes line the counter, from Dassai to Toyo Bijin—a focus on Yamaguchi sake that sets it apart from the other 300-odd bars in the alley. Under soft, dim lighting, a glass of freshly poured nigori sake swirls a quiet, milky white—unpretentious and honest. Chiemi openly welcomes solo women guests, as stated right in her X profile, and the regular birthday gatherings she hosts make it easy for first-timers to slip into the crowd. If you want to compare Yamaguchi sake side by side, or simply want a Golden Gai bar where a solo visit feels completely natural, buti is a straightforward recommendation.