Japanese Sake Guide

Where to find Japan's Best Sake

In various regions all across Japan, breweries perfect their own types of sake. A delicate yet complex rice wine liquor, sake has steadily become an international trend amongst connoisseurs and general consumers alike.

Travel through Kyoto and you may run into Fushimi-Momoyama, a place with abundant ground-water famous for sake brewing. There you may find various old and new techniques used for brewing. Explore the historical shrines and structures as you sip on a glass of sake distributed during a taste test. While you are in the area, visit Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum. You will be introduced to the long history of sake brewing in Kyoto as you peruse through the museums expansive collection of unique brewing tools while enjoying a tasting of Kyoto's finest sake.

You may decide to travel north to Niigata, located in a mountainous region on the central Honshu Island. Thanks to the Shinano-gawa River leading into exceptionally fertile rice cultivation, Niigata has been established as a center of Japan's leading manufacturers.

Aomori is also a well-known region for sake brewing. In Hirosaki, the combination of cold weather, pure water, and high quality rice offer the perfect conditions for brewing sake. You may also travel to Kobe in Hyogo prefecture to find some of Japan's finest sake. Kobe's Nada district has become a well known area for producing sake due to its proximity to a major port. Here in the Nada district you can find the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum, where you can learn the process of sake brewing as you taste one of their various flavors.

Many breweries welcome you to discover the world of sake production. Schedule a trip to Niigata, Kyoto, Aomori, Hyogo, and experience exclusive styles and flavors as you sip Japan's most well known drink.

	Yamanashi Nature abounds with mountains, lakes, and valleys. Hillside orchards where fruits such as peaches and cherries are grown. Visit local wineries and sake breweries.
	Masuichi-Ichimura Sake Brewery, Obuse, Nagano The Masuichi-Ichimura Sake Brewery was founded in 1755. This brewery has been instrumental in reviving traditional craft skills, preserving ancient buildings and forming beautification committees in Obuse. Visit the brewery and lean about the numerous varieties of the sake brewing process.
	Fushimi-Momoyama, Kyoto Famous for its quality spring water and sake brewing. Sake cellars along the moat, with the atmosphere of 17th century Japan.
	Niigata A range of 2,000 meter-class steep mountains dominates. This center of the Japanese mainland houses skiing and resorts.
	Hirosaki, Aomori Home of the famous Neputa Festival. A historical castle town with amazing architectural sights and finds.
	Nada Go-go, Hyogo A region well known and popular for its local sake. With 250 years of tradition, Kobe Shu-Shin-Kan Breweries offers you the opportunity for a tasting of Japanese premium sake and tours of its "Kura" storehouse.