A trip to taste the colorful sake of Okayama

• 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!

Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association

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.

In search of the legendary sake rice, Omachi ~ Bizen Okayama~

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.

Sake Factory Doppokan

703-8258 185-1 Nishikawara, Naka-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

A facility with a restaurant and shop run by Miyashita Sake Brewery, which has a history of over 100 years. You can taste around 10 types of craft beer freshly brewed, or buy a bottle as a souvenir. Along with beer, you can also enjoy the fantastic sake made from Omachi rice. Those wishing to tour the sake brewery (takes approximately 30 minutes) must make a reservation in advance.

Recommended sightseeing spots near Miyashita Sake Brewery (Doppokan)

Okayama Korakuen Garden

703-8257 1-5 Korakuen, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

A large garden built by Tsunamasa Ikeda, the second lord of the Okayama domain, as a place for relaxation. The spacious garden, decorated with seasonal flowers, is a different world just like the Edo period. In 1952, it was designated as a “Special Place of Scenic Beauty” as a historical and cultural heritage site, and received a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide Japan. Various events are held throughout the four seasons, such as tea gathering and moon viewing, and for a limited time, you can enjoy the ``Fantasy Garden,'' which is specially opened at night and lights up the garden in a different way than during the day. Volunteer guides (free of charge) are also popular with tourists.

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).

Akaiwa Brewery Co., Ltd.

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

Hiruzen Winery

1205-32 Hiruzen Kamifukuda, Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture 710-0602

A shop, restaurant and cafe are attached to the wine brewing facility. Shop ``Koanier'' carries a selection of carefully selected products, including our own wines and confitures. The restaurant and cafe offers lunch plates made with plenty of local ingredients, Jersey beef curry, wild grape soft serve ice cream, and more. There is also a space where you can see the storage room and bottling process through glass.

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.

Kirin Beer Okayama Factory

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!

Okayama Airport

1277 Nichioji, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture 701-1131

Okayama Airport (Okayama Airport) is a locally managed airport located in Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture. The nickname is "Okayama Momotaro Airport". It is located 15 km northwest of the center of Okayama City.

Okayama station

700-0024 1-1 Ekimotomachi, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

Tenmaya Okayama main store

2-1-1 Omotemachi, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture 700-8625

Located near Okayama Korakuen Garden, one of the three great gardens of Japan, and boasting a history spanning back 189 years Tenmaya is a respected, Okayama-original department store loved by local residents. This convenient shopping destination offers everything from leading brands from around the world to Okayama Prefecture’s own fruit, cosmetics, clothing, daily goods, and food. Tenmaya also offers one-stop tax exemption counters (5F and B1F) that cover not only the department store but also some 30 stores in nearby Omotecho Shopping Street, making it easy for visitors to receive their tax exemptions for all their shopping all at once. Shop to your heart’s content at Okayama’s famous shopping mall and department store!

AEON MALL Okayama

1-2-1 Shimoishii, Kita Ward, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture 700-0907