The World of Japanese Sake
Published February 2024
Sake has long been an inseparable part of Japanese culture. Not only as a staple item in homes in Japan, sake also has an important place at festivals, ceremonies and rituals. In a wedding ceremony, the bride and groom exchange a few cups of sake while promising their vows for the rest of their lives. In autumn, many shrines hold a festival to thank god for a good autumn harvest and sake is the first offering to the gods. Sake is also a symbol of purification. Thus, sake is more than just an alcoholic drink but something deeper, indispensable and intimate with Japanese people and life.
The word sake in Japanese can refer to any alcoholic beverage, but in general, it is used in English to mean a specific type of rice-based alcohol, also known as nihon-shu (Japanese alcoholic beverage). It is sometimes called rice wine, but actually, that is not completely correct. Sake is rather a unique type of fermented alcohol unique to Asia, especially Japan.
Made primarily from rice, sake is a fermented beverage brewed using a microorganism called koji (rice malt) and yeast. The quality of water used in brewing sake is just important. Brewers take advantage of the various kinds of natural water available in Japan to make their excellent sake.
In ancient times, all of these products had special merit: they were easy to preserve and yet differed greatly from place to place. Omiyage of this kind are available throughout the town or place they come from, especially stacked up in neatly wrapped (i.e. ready to go at the last minute) boxes at the train station. At any big international airport in the world, the Asian, but particularly the Japanese, custom of giving gifts is quite evident.
Another prominent gift custom involves weddings. In Japan gifts are given to everyone that is invited to the wedding and then another kind of gift to everyone that donated money (about half is returned in the form of a gift). All department stores have
special catalogues of popular and naturally suitable items from which one can choose a few or many of the same thing.
Fushimi — Mecca of Sake Industry in Kyoto
The heart of the Kyoto sake industry is Fushimi, the lively area in the southern part of the city. Blessed with pure sweet spring water and access to the best rice through its flourishing river port, Fushimi was a natural spot for sake brewing. Even today, the sake industry is an important presence in the area, and much effort has been put into preserving the many old brewery buildings.
Fushimi Sake Brewery Opening Festival (Feb. 3)
making is the cold, winter months since this is the best season to make finest sake. On this day, some breweries in Fushimi join the event where people can enjoy sake tasting. Stalls will sell sweets, Kyoto vegetables, sake wares and more.
10:00-15:00; Access: A 5-min. walk from the Keihan Fushimi Momoyama Sta., or a 6-min. walk from the Kintetsu Momoyama Goryo-mae Sta.
Gekkeikan Okura Memorial Museum
The Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum introduces the fascinating history of sake brewing with its nostalgic buildings, tasting experience, and valuable collection of traditional brewing tools. Experience the atmosphere of an old sake brewery.
¥600; 9:30-16:30; Access: A 5-min. walk from the Keihan Chushojima Sta., or a 10-min. walk from the Kintetsu Momoyama Goryo-mae Sta.; www.gekkeikan.