Searching for Sake: Sake Tourism in Japan (Pt. 1)

Japan has absolutely exploded as a food and dining destination, but how is it as a sake destination? Sure there’s more than enough incredible sake to go around, but will you be able to find it? Are there specific regions or locations scattered across Japan that are accessible and offer the kinds of unique sake experiences and discoveries that make it worth the trip? What can we expect from “sake tourism” in the (hopefully) near future?   Its these topics (and more!) that fuel this particular sake journey, guided by Sebastien Lemoine,  Chris Hughes, and Justin Potts.   This week’s show is actually from a rather early recording that we did while still in our “R&D phase”. We weren’t sure if it would see the light of day, but giving it another listen, we thought there was info here that could be useful to our listeners, as well as hopefully be something that people could come back to and reference when planning or considering a visit to Japan that integrated sake discoveries.   This is a topic that we’ll be exploring again, both more thoroughly, as well as from a few other angles. That’s why we’ve labeled it “Part 1”. Part 2 doesn’t exist yet, but it will someday! Until then, we hope you’ll find some helpful tidbits tucked away in the discussion.   Also, we wanted to keep some fun content flowing post-holiday while we snuck away for a bit of rest, family time and celebration. We’ve got lots of exciting material coming very soon!   Because this episode was recorded a while back, some of the “news” that we discuss is, as you might have guessed, a bit outdated. That being said, we think it’s still interesting and relevant stuff, so we decided to leave it in there. And hey, if you hadn’t heard about it yet, then it’s news to you!   Topics, places and sake discussed this week (with links) include: – Throughout this episode we’re sipping on the classic nigori sake from Kikuhime in Ishikawa prefecture. – Kit Kat and umeshu (from Heiwa Shuzo, makers of KID sake) become one at a special Craft Sake Week bar. – Italian craft beer producer Baladin teams up with soy sauce producer Yamaroku and their kioke project to bring kioke-aged beer to life. – Mukai Shuzo in Kyoto, producers of Inemankai, which has been gathering attention and turning heads as of late. – Kumazawa Shuzo, makers of Tensei in Kanagawa, have put together a very rich, diverse, option-filled destination just a short trip from Tokyo. – In the Nada region (near Kobe), the big boys Hakutsuru, and Hakushika have invested in creating elaborate and well thought-out sake museums. – Okura Museum of Gekkeikan located in the Fushimi region of Kyoto (worth a visit in its own right!) is a fine destination. – Saijo region in Hiroshima, home to Kamotsuru, as well as 8 other breweries, is the Daigon Alley of the sake world. It also happens to be home to Japan’s largest annual sake festival, more-or-less the equivalent of a sake Oktoberfest. – Lake Suwa in Nagano, home to Miyasaka Sake Co. (makers of Masumi), as well as several other local breweries all within walking distance of one-another is also a beautiful destination. – The Takayama region (Gifu Prefecture) is popping up on a lot of itineraries as of late. Funasaka Shuzo is a highlight. Heading deeper into the countryside of Hida to explore the satoyama is a great way to visit some more great breweries. – Tokyo has a lot of offer as well! An Ishikawa Brewery visit can integrate beer and soba! Sake tours! Sawanoi is in the area, home to plenty of great food and hiking. Enjoy the gardens at Tamura. – A short shinkansen trip to Uonuma no Sato is the home of Hakkaisan. More than enough great food and product, as well as tours and tastings to fill an entire day. New beer brewery on-site as well. A beautiful area at the foot of Mt. Hakkaisan. – Asahi Shuzo, producers of Kubota, are accessible from Nagaoka (Niigata Prefecture) and working to develop the area as a sake and cultural destination.