Sake Brewery Tour, Exploring the World of Sake

"Kampai!" A familiar word used when celebrating together, the story behind the sake production is also fascinating. The Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau organized a sake brewery tour for international students on November 19.

If you're an international student in Japan, there's no better way to immerse yourself in the local culture than by exploring the rich traditions behind one of Japan's most iconic beverages: sake. The Sendai Regional Taxation Bureau offers an exciting opportunity to do just that with their guided sake brewery tour in Iwate Prefecture. This tour, designed to introduce participants to the fascinating world of sake brewing, combines learning with a fun, hands-on experience -- including plenty of sake tasting.

The tour begins at the meeting point in front of the Iwate University Library. At 1:00 PM, the group gathers, filled with anticipation for the afternoon ahead. Have you ever heard of Geographical Indication (GI) It is a designation used for products originating from a specific geographical area. Today, we explored Iwate sake, certified with the GI Iwate and GI All Iwate Japan labels. This means that the ingredients, such as water and rice, and the production processes, including brewing, storage, and bottling, all take place in Iwate Prefecture. Iwate sake is known for its smoothness and rich umami flavor, derived from the high-quality, well-preserved water of the region. It is also crafted using the distinguished techniques of "Nambu Toji," the largest group of master brewers in Japan.

The first stop of the day was Nanbu Toji Denshokan, located at the Roadside Station Ishidoriya, where the focus was on learning the basics of sake brewing. The term "Nambu Toji" refers to the skilled sake brewers from the Nambu region, renowned for their long-standing sake-making traditions. Visitors had the opportunity to explore the intricate process of sake production, from rice polishing to fermentation. Did you know that the degree of rice polishing affects the flavor of sake? We learned about this here. The museum-like setting provides a comprehensive and engaging experience, offering valuable insights into the history and cultural significance of sake.

After the educational session, we had a chance to sample a selection of six different types of sake. Whether you are a sake expert or a first-time taster, this experience offers an opportunity to appreciate the distinct flavors of each variety and learn how factors such as rice type, water quality, and brewing techniques affect the taste of the sake.

Next, the tour took us to Shiwa Sake Brewery Co., Ltd., a well-known sake brewery that offers a hands-on look at the brewing process. Our group arrived at this local spot, where skilled brewers gave us an interesting tour of the brewery. This part of the tour offered participants a rare behind-the-scenes view of the sake-making process, from the steaming of rice to the fermentation tanks. The Shiwa Sake Brewery has been crafting high-quality sake for generations, and the brewers shared their expertise on how they balance tradition with modern innovations. The highlight of the visit was the sake tasting at Shiwa Sake Brewery, where guests sampled a selection of premium sakes paired with food such as salami, which complemented the flavors. Whether you prefer smooth and light sake or rich and full-bodied options, there is something to suit every taste.

For international students, this tour offered an excellent opportunity to not only learn about sake but also to experience its important role in Japanese culture and daily life. Whether you wish to deepen your knowledge, explore different sake varieties, or enjoy a memorable outing with friends, this brewery tour provided a unique experience. For more information about the sake tour, you can explore the hashtag #saketour on social media.