Japan Centre vs First Sips

Founded in 1976, Japan Centre started as a bookshop situated in the heart of London on Warwick Street to cater for the Japanese community. The flagship Japan Centre store is now located on Panton Street, Leicester Square.

First Sips is your personal wine expert — always in your pocket. Point your camera at any wine label and get an instant breakdown: producer, vintage, region, grape varieties, drinking window, food pairings and tasting notes — all powered by AI and written like a sommelier. YOUR CELLAR Every scan saves to your private cellar, synced across your Apple devices. Filter, search and browse your collection. Mark bottles as drunk. Share a cellar with your partner or family so you're always drinking from the same page. YOUR POCKET SOMMELIER Not sure what to open tonight? Tell First Sips what you're cooking and the occasion, and it picks the perfect bottle from your cellar. At the shop and paralysed by choice? Scan any bottle on the shelf for an instant verdict on quality, value and food matching. VINOGRAPHY Keep tasting notes, ratings and memories alongside each bottle — a wine journal that's as carefully kept as your cellar. First Sips is free to download and currently all functionality is free. AI-powered scanning and sommelier features will eventually only be available as part of a premium plan.