An unofficial guide to Yamaguchi Prefecture and its nihonshu
The other evening, at the Toyobijin no Kai, an employee of Nakashima Sake shop mentioned that I should try to put together a sake group for foreign residents. I wasn't so sure about it myself, since there just aren't that many around these parts, I have no idea how popular sake is with the local... Continue Reading →
Whenever I talk to people about Sake and mention I live in Yamaguchi, the conversation inevitably turns to Dassai. This is understandable, since clearly Dassai is immensely famous (perhaps the single most famous sake in the world?). The brewery, Asahi Shuzo, is on TV, in newspapers, and making huge waves in the brewing world with... Continue Reading →
In the cup this time is a limited Junmai Daiginjo from Shunan city's own Yamagata Honten. This bottle is named after and dedicated to Yoshida Shoin, a historical figure from Hagi, Yamaguchi, who was somewhat influential in the Meiji Restoration as a teacher of many of the more famous figures. The man himself died young... Continue Reading →
This sake is from Murashige Shuzo, more commonly known for their brand Kinkan Kuromatsu. It's another Iwakuni sake with a reputation for winning awards and making good sake, though it's still overshadowed by Gokyo and (of course) Dassai. I've had Kinkan Kuromatsu a few times at events and restaurants, but this was my first time... Continue Reading →
I like to focus on Yamaguchi and the surrounding prefectures on this blog, since they seem to get fairly little attention compared to, say, Niigata or Fukushima. I think it's fair to say that Kochi prefecture, on the nearby island of Shikoku, is close enough to qualify. Plus, this sake is called Drunken Whale. I... Continue Reading →
The sake world in Yamaguchi has been abuzz lately with some new faces. I previously talked a little about Abu no Tsuru, a re-opened kura under the sponsorship of Sumikawa Shuzo of Toyo Bijin fame. Sumikawa is also supporting another renewed kura, Ohmine. Ohmine's website says it was closed for 50 years, and reopened in... Continue Reading →
Twice a year, Yamaguchi sakagura and several gourmet Japanese restaurants near Tokuyama station in Shunan host the Guruguru Yamaguchi no Sake event. For a 7000 yen ticket, you get a name tag and the right to visit 5 restaurants, each of which hosts 1 or 2 different sake brewers for a tasting and pairing experience.... Continue Reading →
An event report from Shunan, Yamaguchi's Achi Kochi Marche Sake fest.
This article was originally published March 6, 2011, on my blog "A Loss For Words" (now defunct.) The picture quality is...not the best, but it was a different time, then. Links and a few terms have been updated to reflect changes in website and education. Last weekend we had the good luck to get a... Continue Reading →
Yamaguchi Sake 