A trip to taste sake in Shizuoka, the kingdom of ginjo

• Table of Contents
• What is Shizuoka, the kingdom of ginjo?
• Characteristics of Shizuoka sake and introduction to breweries
• How to enjoy Shizuoka sake
• Restaurants where you can enjoy and purchase Shizuoka sake
• A new type of sake aged in whiskey and wine barrels

Click here for the Shizuoka SAKE Trip website

What is Shizuoka, the kingdom of ginjo?

Shitaizumo Sake Brewery in Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Sake rice made in Shizuoka

The sake※ is carefully washed repeatedly, then steamed and turned into rice koji.

Shizuoka, known for its warm climate, was actually at a disadvantage when it came to sake brewing, but the brewers of Shizuoka who had been brewing sake under such harsh conditions thought, "To make Shizuoka's local sake known, we must first win an award," and thanks to the efforts of Kawamura Denbei, who developed "Shizuoka yeast," and the efforts of each brewer and toji, they achieved the remarkable feat of winning 10 gold awards and 7 silver awards (awarded) at the National New Sake Tasting Competition in 1986. This led to the sayings, "Shizuoka's local sake is delicious!" and "Shizuoka is the kingdom of ginjo."
In November 2023, the Commissioner of the National Tax Agency designated Shizuoka as a geographical indication (GI) for sake.

Characteristics of Shizuoka sake and introduction to breweries

●Characteristics of sake from the eastern region *From the official website of the Shizuoka Sake Brewers Association There are six sake breweries around Mt. Fuji, and their brewing water is underground water from Mt. Fuji. It is soft water that has been polished by the many layers of bedrock of Mt. Fuji. There is only one brewery on the Izu Peninsula, and its brewing water is underground water from the Usami mountain range.

●Characteristics of sake from the Chubu region
Sake breweries in the Chubu region are distributed along the old Tokaido , due to the fact that breweries prospered along the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido . Brewing water in the Chubu region comes from underground water from the Southern Alps, but the mountain and water veins that are the source of the water vary from brewery to brewery. The abundant water nurtured by the vast Southern Alps, where untouched nature remains, has supported sake brewing in the Chubu region both today and in the past.

●Characteristics of sake from the western region The western part of the prefecture, with its vast plains, is characterized by the fact that sake breweries are dotted not only along roads such as the old Tokaido, but also in the grain belts where rice fields spread out. It can be seen that traditional industries such as sake breweries have existed alongside the characteristics of the land. The brewing water is also from the Southern Alps, but the distinctive topography of the Tenryu River, which originates from Lake Suwa, and the Iwatahara Plateau give each brewing water its own characteristics.

■Introduction to Shizuoka Breweries

Sake from Shizuoka Prefecture

Please visit the official website of the Shizuoka Sake Brewers Association.

How to enjoy Shizuoka sake

Enjoy the color, the aroma, and the taste without swallowing it immediately after putting it in your mouth.

Ginjo sake is made from rice, rice malt, and brewed alcohol, and is polished to 60% or less. The polishing ratio is the percentage of rice that remains after polishing the surface of brown rice. The higher the polishing ratio, the more fragrant the sake. Ginjo sake is made using a method called "ginjo brewing," and is characterized by its fruity and gorgeous aroma. Shizuoka ginjo sake has a more subdued aroma, but can be enjoyed as a drink with meals.
First, check the color and aroma. Then, after putting the sake in your mouth, do not swallow it immediately, but savor it with your whole mouth, rolling it around on your tongue. It's also a good idea to compare the aroma, taste, and color of the sake and enjoy it slowly as you drink it.

Restaurants where you can enjoy and purchase Shizuoka sake

Restaurants in Shizuoka where you can enjoy Shizuoka sake

● Warm Sake and Chinese Cuisine Hanaoto
Address: 4-12 Umeyacho, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL: 054-273-8591

● "Tagata Handmade Soba"
Address: 2-6-7 Tokiwacho, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL: 054-250-8555

● Takeru Sake
Address: SOZOSYA Terrace 1F, 16-3 Nanamacho, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL: 050-5487-3998

● Oikawa
Address: 1-4-1 Takajo, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL: 054-272-6551

Shops in Shizuoka City where you can buy Shizuoka sake

● Vinos Yamazaki Shizuoka Main Store
Address: 18-4 Nanamacho, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL: 054-251-3607

● Kuboyama Liquor Store
Address: 169-1 Iharacho, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL: 054-366-7122

● Shinoda Liquor Store
Address: 3-3 Irieokacho, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture
TEL: 054-352-5047

● Fuji Sake
*Only available online (shipping within Japan only)

A new type of sake aged in whiskey and wine barrels

The original Shizuoka SAKE Trip sake was born from the Tsukiyomi series, which uses sake from a sake brewery in Shizuoka Prefecture produced by Fuji no Sake and is aged for a certain period of time in whiskey barrels at a local Shizuoka distillery. The new taste of this innovative Shizuoka local sake is becoming a hot topic.

Haginishiki Sake Brewery... A popular product of Kimoto Junmai sake brewed by a young husband and wife brewers in the prefecture. The umami, acidity, and full-bodied taste of Kimoto and the rich aroma and flavor of whiskey barrels combine to create a smooth, lingering sake! It goes very well with deep-fried tofu and ponzu dishes.

Shitaizumi Brewery...A brewery located in the mountains upstream of the Seto River. The sake, made using water from this blessed environment, is characterized by its delicate softness. It has a woody, gentle sweetness with hints of berry and vanilla, and a dry aftertaste. The aroma and smooth mouthfeel make it an elegant sake. It pairs well with meringue, custard cream, and caramelized foods.

In addition to whiskey barrels, Fuji no Sake also offers sake that has been aged for a certain period of time in wine barrels. It has a wine-like mouthfeel and is especially popular with women.

Please see this website for the "Tsukiyomi Series" and other sakes available from "Fuji no Sake."

Aged sake made in collaboration between "Shizuoka SAKE Journey" and "Fuji no Sake"

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An original aged sake made by aging sake from "Shitaizumo Brewery" in Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture in Gaia Flow whiskey barrels.

An original aged sake made by aging sake from Haginishiki Brewery in Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture in Gaia Flow whiskey barrels.

On the Shizuoka SAKE Trip, tour participants enjoyed two types of sake: Shidaizumi Sake Brewery's sake and Haginishiki Sake Brewery's sake, which had been aged for a certain period of time in Gaia Flow's whiskey barrels.

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Click here for the official website of the "Shizuoka SAKE Aging Journey"