Many places in Japan boast delicious sake. Japan also has a very wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including sake, shochu, wine, and many others.

This article introduces recommended prefectures where you can enjoy delicious sake. We hope you will use this article as a reference and fully enjoy the delicious sake that only Japan can offer.

■Prefectures where good sake can be enjoyed and recommended brands

Since ancient times, sake brewing has been practiced in Japan, taking advantage of the country’s rich nature and climate. In addition to sake, which is made using methods unique to Japan, beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages popular around the world can be enjoyed in many regions.

Here are some of the most recommended prefectures and brands of sake in Japan.

Hokkaido “Nikka Whiskey”

Hokkaido, a cold region of Japan, is home to many whiskey distilleries. Hokkaido’s cool climate and clean air make it an ideal spot for whiskey production.

Whisky manufacturer Nikka produces Black Nikka and Taketsuru Pure Malt, both of which are well-known throughout Japan. The brand is famous as a pioneer manufacturer of Japanese whiskey and boasts whiskey so delicious that it has earned high praise from around the world.

Please enjoy the deep aroma and rich flavor of Nikka Whisky in Hokkaido, which is called the “Scotland of Japan.

Yamagata Prefecture “Jyushiyo”

Yamagata Prefecture, located in the Tohoku region, is famous for its rice, the raw material for sake. In Yamagata Prefecture, there is a valuable sake called “Jyushidai,” which is considered to be a miraculous sake.

Jyushidai” is made by carefully selecting only the finest rice produced in Yamagata Prefecture, and its great appeal lies in its fruity sweetness and gentle aroma, as well as the original flavor of the rice. It is also easy to drink with a refreshing taste, so even those who do not like sake will enjoy it to the end.

Niigata Prefecture “Kubota”

Niigata Prefecture, located in the Hokuriku region, is one of the most popular prefectures in Japan for enjoying particularly delicious sake. Made from rice grown in a climate with extreme temperature differences and clean water, Niigata Prefecture’s sake continues to be loved by many.

Among the many brands of sake available in Niigata Prefecture, Kubota is very popular for its deep flavor and fruity taste. The sweetness of the rice and the refreshing sharpness that comes along with it are known as “light and dry” and give the true pleasure of sake.

Niigata Prefecture, which offers a variety of other tastes such as “Hakkaisan” and “Koshino-Kanbai,” is a must-see destination for sake lovers.

Toyama Prefecture “Honjozo Tateyama”

Toyama Prefecture, famous as one of the best water sources in Japan, is also a popular spot for sake production. Located in the Hokuriku region, the beautiful water that flows throughout the cities of Toyama Prefecture is rich in minerals and is used for drinking water.

Honjozo Tateyama, a representative of Toyama Prefecture, is a locally brewed sake made with the pristinely clear water. It is popular for its dry yet easy-to-drink taste. Its refreshing taste can be enjoyed again and again without getting tired of it

Sake from Toyama Prefecture is generally characterized by its light and dry taste, and goes well with any recipe, including meat and fish dishes. Enjoy the refreshing taste of sake to the fullest.

Tochigi Prefecture “Nasu Kogen Beer”

You can taste delicious beer in Tochigi Prefecture in the Kanto region. Unique craft beers made from “2-row barley,” which is produced in abundance with high-quality water, are a specialty of Tochigi Prefecture.

Nasu Kogen Beer is a well-known brand throughout Japan. You can enjoy a variety of flavors, including German-style Weizen and Royal Stout, a black beer that has won gold medals around the world.

The rich aroma of Nijo barley and the unique thirst-quenching sensation of beer are truly exceptional for those who love to drink. Try it with cheese, fried chicken, or chocolate.

There are many other breweries throughout the prefecture, such as Tochigi Microbrewery. Tochigi Prefecture is a great place to visit for beer lovers.

Yamanashi “Japanese Wine”

Many delicious wines are produced in Japan. Yamanashi Prefecture, located in the Kanto region, is Japan’s largest producer of wine.

Yamanashi Prefecture, the birthplace of “Nihon Wine,” has a large difference in temperature and low rainfall, which makes it possible to produce Koshu grapes, the raw material for the wine, under optimal conditions. The brightly colored Koshu grapes have a strong sweetness and are very popular as an edible grape.

In recent years, improvements in technology have led to the production of a variety of “Japanese wines. You can also try different types of wine depending on your mood, such as orange wine, which is brewed with the whole peel and looks as beautiful as it tastes, or sparkling wine, which is popular worldwide.

In Yamanashi Prefecture, white wine is the mainstream, characterized by its dry taste and fresh aroma. Please enjoy them with delicious food.

Kochi Prefecture “Kameizumi”

Kochi Prefecture, located in the Shikoku region, is home to a rich source of water that is essential for making delicious sake. The Shimanto River, which flows through the prefecture, is so beautiful and magnificent in scale that it is considered one of the “three clearest rivers in Japan,” and is a major support for sake production in Kochi Prefecture.

Kameizumi” is a brand of sake from Kochi Prefecture characterized by its sweet taste, which is rare. Its most appealing fruity aroma and flavor are said to make it easy to drink, even for those who are not strong drinkers.

Kochi Prefecture’s sake is a precious sake produced by Mother Nature.

Miyazaki Prefecture “Kirishima “

Miyazaki Prefecture, located in the Kyushu region, is a very popular spot for shochu production. Shochu is made from rice, sweet potatoes, barley, and a variety of other ingredients throughout the prefecture.

The alcohol content of most shochu is 25 degrees, but most of the shochu produced in Miyazaki Prefecture is characterized by its alcohol content of 20 degrees. It is also known for its single-stage distillation process, which carefully crafts the syochu liqueur using the flavors of the raw ingredients.

Kirishima, which originated in Miyazaki Prefecture, is an authentic shochu loved throughout Japan. It is a refreshing drink with a clear taste and the original aroma of shochu. Some brands are only available in the prefecture, making it a must-visit spot for shochu lovers.

Kagoshima Prefecture “Maou”

Kagoshima Prefecture is a place where you can fully enjoy potato shochu, one of the most popular types of shochu. Kagoshima’s authentic sweet potato shochu is very sweet and refreshing, and can be enjoyed on the rocks, with water, or with soda, depending on your mood.

The shochu brand called “Maou” is characterized by its fruity, apple-like taste and mild flavor. If you chill it well before drinking, you can enjoy its deep aroma that is hard to believe it is a shochu. The price of shochu varies widely, from reasonable to rare ones that cost several thousand yen for a glass.

Kagoshima Prefecture is famous not only for sweetpotato shochu, but also for brown sugar shochu, which has little peculiarity. Kagoshima Prefecture is located close to Miyazaki Prefecture, so why not take a trip to compare shochu?

Okinawa Prefecture “Ryukyu Awamori”

In Okinawa Prefecture, a popular sightseeing spot, you can enjoy Awamori, which is said to be the oldest distilled liquor in Japan. Awamori is made from rice and black rice malt using a method unique to Okinawa, and is called “Ryukyu Awamori,” a distilled spirit that is well-loved by the locals.

Ryukyu Awamori is famous for its particularly high alcohol content among the liquors produced in Japan. While shochu (distilled spirit) has an alcohol content of approximately 20-25 degrees, Ryukyu Awamori has an alcohol content of approximately 30 degrees, with some exceeding 50 degrees.

The unique charm of Ryukyu Awamori is that it is served in beautiful Ryukyu glasses. Tasting it in Ryukyu glasses with various patterns and shapes will make you feel the history of Japan. Please enjoy its appearance as well as its unique aroma.

■Let’s create wonderful memories with delicious sake!

There are many places in Japan where you can enjoy delicious sake, and sake unique to the region exists.
Sake made from the bounty of Japan’s rich natural environment is the perfect accompaniment to any dish.

A trip to Japan spent over a glass of delicious sake will remain as a wonderful memory that you will never forget.

【Q＆A】
Q. Where can I enjoy Japanese sake?

A. Many restaurants in Japan serve sake. We also highly recommend “Izakaya” (Japanese style pubs), where you can enjoy many types of sake.

Q.Can I also go sightseeing in the recommended prefectures?

A.All of the “recommended prefectures” introduced above are also famous as sightseeing spots. After enjoying beautiful night views and shopping, you can also savor delicious sake and food.