An education-focused sake shop · Portland, Oregon

Sake is a beautiful, historic, handcrafted beverage that deserves your attention.

Sunflower is a cozy, welcoming hidden bar & retail store where you're encouraged to taste and learn about sake from around the world. Our expert staff are as friendly as they are passionate, and include artists, home brewers, and even beer & wine dual-specialists.

Shop the shelf Plan a visit

心を込めて選んだ日本酒

Omakase FlightsCurated flights customized for each guest.

Now in season

New Arrival

haccoba Twilight Brew

A limited release collaboration between our neighbors Smith Teamaker and our good friends at Fukushima craft brewery haccoba has landed in Portland.

Journal

JULY 26: A Musical Moment (Kirei Hachiku + Tsukasabotan Natsu)

New arrival

Heiwa Shuzo "KID" Junmai Ginjo Nama "Natsu no Shippu"

Journal

JUNE 26: Dungeon Meshi meets Sunflower Sake

New on the shelf

View new

Ships anywhere sake can go — $30 flat per case, and no sales tax.

chewy peach ringssilky crème brûléehorchatabanana-mango smoothiean old librarysnowmelt on a mountainwhite chocolate & pistachio chewy peach ringssilky crème brûléehorchatabanana-mango smoothiean old librarysnowmelt on a mountainwhite chocolate & pistachio

The okan lover philosophy

One bottle,
served four ways.

Temperature is the dial that reveals new expressions hiding within a single sake. The same junmai can be crisp, dry and bright out of the fridge, then turn round and sip like a warm hug when warm. We're unapologetic okan lovers, and we believe every sake deserves its moment in the kandouko. Want to learn more? Just ask.

5°C · Snow-chilled

Yukihie 雪冷え

Crisp ginjo & sparkling — aromatics tight and bright, flavor dry.

15°C · Cool

Suzuhie 涼冷え

Flavors open up, texture appears, and umami coats the tongue.

45°C · Warmed

Nurukan ぬる燗

Yamahai and kimoto bloom; flavors broaden, sweetness is heightened.

60°C · Hot

Atsukan 熱燗

Acidity peaks, the sake gains tension and spine. Food harmonizes 🔥

From the journal

All reading & illustrations

The Philosophical Venn Diagram of Wine & Sake with Taborly Wines

A rundown of our collaborative wine-sake tasting with local shop Taborly Wines, one of Portland's best, where we...

natsuzake

Natsuzake: a Summer wave of Seasonal Sake

Natsuzake, the compounded form of natsu (summer) sake, is a growing category of seasonally-themed sake appropriate for Summer...

haccoba

The Japanese craft sake movement & haccoba's American debut

If you went to Fuyu Fest last year or attended any of our Okan Lover Tour events, you...

Join a sake club

Monthly club archives

Most loved

monthly

Sunflower Sake Club

2–3 hand-picked bottles a month, each with a detailed backstory, illustrations, comics, videos and snacks. As much goodness as we can fit into $80.

from $80 / month

Pickup $80 · shipped $100

Explore the monthly club

quarterly

Seasonal Club

In Japan, sake follows the seasons. Each quarterly pack explores that connection, with beautifully illustrated tasting notes, pairings and regional backstory.

from $80 / quarter

$5 enrollment, credited to your first box

See the seasonal club

a gift

Gift Subscription

The same monthly deep dive on special bottles, stories and education — paid in advance. One, three or six months, shipped or picked up in person.

from $80

1, 3 or 6 months · paid in advance

Give a gift

nerd run since 2021

Our story

Sunflower endeavors to foster a unique, diverse and creative American sake culture inspired by our own traditions, artists, people and environment— and inspired by our extended community in Japan.

“Something about hospitality, about connecting with people one on one, is at the core of my being.”

Nina MurphyFounder, educator & illustrator, sake lover and dreamer who grew Sunflower from a tiny seed of a Winter pop-up to the multi-faceted concept it is today.

Read the whole story →

Your first Sunflower foray

01Come tasteFlights, glasses and warm pours at the bar, ask our experts as many questions as you like. 02Explore a Wednesday FlightEvery other Wednesday, dive deep into a specific subject or brewery: $20, or free with purchase of two bottles. 03Join the clubHand-picked bottles every month or quarter, with stories, tasting notes, & more.

Come say hello

A tasting room, a bottle shop & a sake school

107 SE Washington St. #121, Portland OR · Closed Monday. Flights, glasses, carafes, warm sake, and as many stories as you'll sit for.

Hours & bar menu

In good company

What people are saying

“

"This tucked away little sake shop is amazing! There is so much love, knowledge, and passion that goes into every aspect of this place."

Google ReviewsJ. Evergreen

“

"Sunflower Sake [are] tireless missionaries for its namesake drink..."

Willamette WeekJay Horton

“

"Sunflower was a delightful surprise, recommended by a local Japanese restaurateur. We were impressed by their selection of sake, featuring varieties rarely found at major liquor stores or even Japanese restaurants."

Google ReviewsJ. Chow