You're sure to find your favorite drink! Okayama, known as the "Land of Sunshine" due to its mild climate, has been a place where sake has been brewed since ancient times, and there are many unique sake breweries that produce a wide variety of sake. In this Feature Articles, we will introduce some of these.
2024.03.23-
Table of contents
- "Good rice," "good water," and "good techniques"
- A delicious sake made with the rare sake rice, Omachi rice
- Japanese sake breweries
- Wineries and breweries
- Shops where you can purchase Okayama sake
"Good rice," "good water," and "good techniques"
Three things are essential for good sake: good rice, good water, and good technique. Okayama, the birthplace of the Omachi rice variety that is the root of good rice, has many rivers with mineral- Toyotomi good water, and as a result, sake brewing has been carried out in the area for over a thousand years, leading to the accumulation of good techniques.
Okayama, the kingdom of fruit, is also a thriving fruit liquor producer, with peach, muscat, pione grapes, blueberry, yuzu, and plum being especially popular among women. You can enjoy them in any way you like, whether straight, in cocktails, or with food.
Bizen Pottery, one of Japan's oldest pottery, is said to have the power to make alcohol taste better. Just as wine and glasses are compatible, try finding the perfect sake and sake cup for you!
A delicious sake made with the rare sake rice, Omachi rice
Omachi rice, the parent of Yamada , was once difficult to obtain and is known as the "phantom sake rice," and Nishiki birthplace is Okayama Prefecture. Sake made with large-grained Omachi rice is popular for its unique mellowness and richness. Blessed with the master brewers' skills, a warm climate, high-quality sake rice, and the pure water carried by Okayama's three major rivers, local sake is highly regarded both in Japan and overseas.
Japanese sake breweries
Miyashita Sake Brewery (Doppokan)
Founded in 1915, this brewery is just 10 minutes away from Okayama Station. It produces sake and dozens of varieties of local beer, including "Doppo." At the adjacent "Doppokan," you can tour the brewery, where sake, local beer, and whiskey are brewed, as well as enjoy food, drinks, and shopping.
Recommended sightseeing spots near Miyashita Sake Brewery (Doppokan)
Akaiwa Brewery
Founded in 1923, the Akaiwa City area where the brewery is located is a producer of high-quality sake rice, such as Omachi rice, which is used in Toyotomi in the brewery's products. Akaiwa City is also a peach-producing region (Momo no Sato).
Marumoto Sake Brewery
Founded in 1867, the stately building is still in use and was the first sake brewery in Okayama Prefecture to be registered as a national tangible cultural property. The sake produced from home-grown sake rice has been certified organic by the US and EU. They also produce carbonated sparkling sake.
Marumoto Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
Tsujimoto store (West storehouse)
Founded in 1804, the brewery has had a female chief (one of only about 30 in Japan) oversee the sake brewing process since 2007. You can enjoy eating, drinking, and shopping at the attached restaurant, Nishigura, and shop.
Tsujimoto Branch (West Storehouse)
Wineries and breweries
Hiruzen Winery
Kirin Beer Okayama Factory
The plant uses clean water from Okayama, and tours are popular. Tour guides can only speak Japanese, but pamphlets are available in English, traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, and Korean.
Shops where you can purchase Okayama sake
Close to Okayama Airport and Okayama Station, it's convenient for when you're just about to return home or before leaving Okayama!
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