Japan has a tradition called bottle keep, where drinks are labeled with your name.

It all kicked off at those lively bars, but now even family restaurants are joining the game. Back in my college days, I hit up this coffee shop for lunch, and each time, I couldn’t resist their divine muffins. I visited so much that the barista would have my muffin ready the moment she saw me walk in. It was this little touch of hospitality that made me feel valued. Now, shift that idea to alcohol, and welcome to Japan’s bottle keep system, where you’ve got your own personal bottle waiting for you anytime you pop in.

Now, let me break it down. You slap your name on a bottle, put it in storage, and return again for your cut-price drinks. For instance, a ¥25,000 whiskey can give you 20 servings at ¥2,000 each. You do the math—that's some serious cash saved. If you want to feel at home at the bar, this is the way to do it. Imagine strolling in, staff pulling out your bottle, and you playing the host with a generous pour. Just know, make the visits worthwhile or risk losing that precious liquid treasure. And hey, don’t forget to check if the spot offers this before investing, right? Now, who’s ready for some bottle keep adventure?

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