An unofficial guide to Yamaguchi Prefecture and its nihonshu
Rather than do a regular old tasting note, review, or event update, I thought I'd take a look back at what this year was like for me in my sake journey. 2019 was a fairly big sake year for me. I led my first tasting class back in January, and did my first work translating... Continue Reading →
An ode to a perfect sake.
Shunan city sake brewery Hatsumomiji Shuzo, makers of popular brand Harada, held a small festival on November 16th and 17th to celebrate their 200th anniversary. Since I'm a fan of not only their sake, but the brewery staff as well (I've toured it twice and have met many of them several times at events), I... Continue Reading →
I usually focus on Yamaguchi sake for this, but that's not because it's better or anything. It's just that I'm local, and I love to support local business. At the same time, I'm more than happy to drink sake from anywhere. Especially, as in this case, when it's a gift from a friend! Chikushino Daiginjo.... Continue Reading →
Shoraku Daigjinjo Nama, Seimaibuai 35% This is a limited edition daiginjo from Chomonkyo brewers Okazaki Shuzo. I'm a sucker for tobingakoi (aka tobindori, shizuku, fukurotsuri) sakes, and Chomonkyo is always a pleasure, so this was a no-brainer for me. In the glass, this sake has a very clean aroma with hints of rice and a... Continue Reading →
This sake is one of Hatumomiji's most premium brands. The name is a reference to the Kaiten "manned torpedoes" planned at the end of World War 2, and built and tested at a base on a small island off the coast of Shunan city. It's a sad local story, and one that lingers over the... Continue Reading →
Location: 山口県岩国市今津町3-18-9/ 3-18-9 Imazumachi, Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Open to Public: Yes, by appointment Cost: 200 yen for disposable clean suits Production: 1,000 Koku (18,000 liters) produced from September through March On Saturday, January 29th I had the perfect excuse opportunity to visit Yaoshin Shuzo, makers of Gangi, when a friend came to the area and the... Continue Reading →
Saturday, October 27th was Shunan city's 2nd annual Jizake Yokocho local sake Fair. 16 sakagura from all over Yamagata were there offering their wares, including some rarities I've never seen anywhere locally. A group of friends and I went to give our lovers a workout, and it was pure fun. None of the kura were... Continue Reading →
This rare non-junmai daiginjo from Shimonoseki Shuzo (JP Only) is my first from them, and a truly great introduction indeed! It seems these days that junmai is the word to use for brewers, and I honestly can't remember how many alcohol-added daiginjo I've seen on shelves. The only other one I've drunk is the Tobindori from... Continue Reading →
This is from yet another of the less common breweries on my list of Yamaguchi kura, Otsu Shurui Jozo (Japanese link to Yamaguchi Brewer's Assocuation page) in Nagato. Misuzu is their major brand, and after tasting it I wish it was more well known! This is another of the vanishing "not junmai" daiginjo styles, made with... Continue Reading →
Yamaguchi Sake 