Sake from Oita Prefecture to try when you come to Oita
In December 2024, Japan's “traditional sake brewing” was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In Oita Prefecture, various types of sake brewing have long been popular.These include japanise sake, also known as rice wine, wine, barley shochu and beer.This article introduces the appeal of Oita Prefecture's sake and how to enjoy it to the fullest.
* Please note that the text shown on this page includes machine translations.
Contents
- Traditional sake brewing” in Japan registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
- Oita Prefecture is famous for barley shochu! What are its characteristics and taste?
- Unique barley shochu to take home as a souvenir
- Japanese sake made using traditional methods handed down from the time of the samurai
- A variety of local wines produced in the prefecture that are committed to local production and consumption
- Unique wines that make great souvenirs
- Let's try various alcoholic drinks from Oita Prefecture
- Visit sake breweries for tours and tastings
- Oita Prefecture specialties to enjoy with alcohol
- A place where you can taste Oita's sake
Traditional sake brewing” in Japan registered as Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
In December 2024, Japan's “traditional sake brewing” was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Sake brewing in Japan has developed in response to the climates of different regions of Japan, and the production of sake, shochu, awamori, mirin, etc. has been passed down for more than half a century. We hope you will enjoy our sake, which can only be found in Oita Prefecture.
Oita Prefecture is famous for barley shochu! What are its characteristics and taste?
Oita Prefecture has long been known for its barley shochu. The clear water and climate suitable for making barley shochu have resulted in a number of shochu distilleries that produce a wide variety of flavors. It is characterized by its refreshing taste and fragrant barley aroma. It has an unctuous flavor that goes well with meals and is loved not only by the locals but also throughout Japan, along with local cuisine.
How to drink shochu for its best taste
There are many ways to enjoy barley shochu. Some brands have recommendations on how to drink it, but we encourage you to try it in a variety of ways first. You should be able to find your favorite while enjoying the differences in aroma and taste.
- Straight
- First, drink a small amount straight and enjoy the original aroma and taste of barley shochu. Chilling it will tighten the flavor and make it easier to drink.
- On the rocks
- On the rocks, you can enjoy the change in flavor as the ice melts. It tastes exceptionally good in a very cold glass.
- With water
- It is an easy way to drink because you can enjoy it at a concentration that suits you. You can enjoy the gentle aroma of barley shochu.
- With hot water
- Recommended for those who want to enjoy the aroma of barley shochu more. When making hot water mixing, the key point is the order of “hot water first, shochu second”.
- With soda
- It has a clean and simple taste. It is a very popular drink as a food sake as it does not interfere with food. It is especially recommended during the hot summer months.
Various Shochu Arrangement Recipes
Here are some arranged recipes using kabosu, a specialty unique to Oita Prefecture.
Kabosu Wari
Squeeze kabosu into a glass and add the pulp. Next, pour shochu into the glass with ice, and fill with soda. The aroma of the kabosu and the refreshing taste of the soda make it a good drink for beginners.
Usuki Bowl
Put slices of kabosu and ice in a bowl and pour barley shochu into the bowl. The aroma of the barley and the sourness of the kabosu juice are a perfect match. The “Usuki Bowl” has an outstanding presence and is a great way to enjoy drinking with others!
Unique barley shochu to take home as a souvenir
Here are some brands that are sure to be appreciated as souvenirs.
- Kanehachi（Yotsuya Shuzou）
- This authentic barley shochu is made using traditional methods passed down from generation to generation, and maximizes the natural aroma and flavor of barley. It is characterized by a rich, mellow barley aroma and deep flavor not found in other barley shochu.
- Official website (Japanese)
- Ginza no suzume (Yatsushika Brewery)
- This shochu has a clean barley taste and rich flavor that can be enjoyed the way you like it. It is also ideal as a cocktail base, and can be easily enjoyed by women and those who do not normally drink shochu.
- Official website (Japanese)
- Tsunezou BREEZE（Kuge Honten）
- Made with 100% barley from Oita Prefecture, which is ideal for shochu making. Fermented at low temperatures using specially selected koji and yeast, this ginjo barley shochu is characterized by its rich, juicy, and full-bodied flavor.
- Official website (Japanese)
A special sake that makes a great gift
Premium shochu is carefully aged to give it a rich aroma and deep flavor. A representative example is the high-end line "Kicchomu" from the prestigious shochu brand "Iichiko." The characters on the jars of Kicchomu are all handwritten by craftsmen, and they make a great gift.
Japanese sake made using traditional methods handed down from the time of the samurai
Oita Prefecture is also a thriving producer of Japanese sake. Oita Prefecture sake has a rich aroma and a clean taste, which is achieved by using traditional methods to bring out the flavor of the rice. Enjoy the diverse styles that correspond to the local climate and culture. You're sure to feel the blessings of nature and history.
Unique Japanese sakes that make great souvenirs
- CHIEBIJIN（Nakano sake brewery ）
- CHIEBIJIN is a highly fragrant sake made using water that has won the highest gold award at the Monde Selection for three consecutive years. The wide variety and cute packaging are also notable.
- Official website (Japanese)
- Takakiya（Hamashima sake brewery ）
- Takakiya's sake is made by hand using traditional methods, giving it a rich aroma and flavor. The rice used to make the sake is also grown by the company, making this a product that truly showcases the craftsmanship of the sake.
- Official website (Japanese)
- Nishinoseki (Kayashima Sake Brewing)
- Nishinoseki is made by craftsmen using their experience and intuition in the rich natural environment of the Kunisaki Peninsula. At the original shop attached to the sake brewery, you can not only sample sake, but also buy original goods.
- Official website
- Wakabotan（Sanwa Shurui）
- This sake is produced by Sanwa Shurui, which is famous for its barley shochu. It has a mellow aroma and a smooth taste, and we recommend drinking it warm.
- Official website (Japanese)
- Kuncho (Kuncho sake brewery)
- This sake is made at a sake brewery in the traditional castle town of Mameda-machi. Please try this sake made with rice and pure water from Oita Prefecture.
- Official website (Japanese)
Enjoy a tour of unique sake breweries in Bungo-Ono City
We recommend a trip to the four sake breweries that have been in existence in Bungo Ono City for many years. Some of the traditional sake brewery buildings have cafes and tasting spaces. Find your favorite sake.
A variety of local wines produced in the prefecture that are committed to local production and consumption
Oita Prefecture's wines, made from high-quality grapes grown in a climate with extreme temperature differences, have become increasingly popular in recent years. In particular, wineries that handle everything from grape cultivation to wine brewing, focusing on local production for local consumption, are attracting attention. Not only do they provide local flavors, but they also contribute to regional revitalization. At wineries, you can also tour the vineyards and winemaking process, and enjoy tastings.
Unique wines that make great souvenirs
- Ajimu Budoushu Koubou (Winery)
- This wine is made with care from grapes in the foggy and fantastical Ajimu. High-quality grapes grow in this region with its extreme temperature differences. At Ajimu Budoushu Koubou(Ajimu Winery), you can purchase wine, sample wine, and even enjoy a tour of the wine cellar.
- See More
- Kuju Winery
- This winery is located in the vast natural surroundings of the Kuju Plateau. The winery staff also grow the grapes themselves, and although they produce small quantities of high-quality wine, they sell it. The winery also has a restaurant where you can enjoy wine along with pizza baked in a stone oven.
- Official website (Japanese)
Let's try various alcoholic drinks from Oita Prefecture
There are many other attractive drinks besides those introduced in this article. There are precious "craft beers" made in small-scale breweries, and "umeshu" plum wine, which is popular among women for its sweet and sour taste. Amazake is recommended for people who can't drink alcohol. It is made from rice and koji (fermented rice) and is also known as a superfood. If you visit Oita Prefecture, be sure to try a variety of drinks.
Visit sake breweries for tours and tastings
Oita Prefecture has several sake breweries that offer tours. Each brewery has a direct sales store and a tasting corner, making it the perfect place for both sake lovers and those looking for souvenirs. Be sure to stop by!
*Reservations may be required for brewery tours, so please check in advance.
- Sanwa Shurui Co.,ltd
- This distillery is known for producing Oita's specialty shochu, "Iichiko." You can observe the shochu manufacturing process, including the operation of the brewing tanks and distillation equipment, and you can also sample undiluted and aged shochu and purchase various products.
- Official website (Japanese)
- Yatsushika Brewery Co., Ltd.
- In addition to barley shochu, they also produce a variety of alcoholic drinks, including sake and liqueurs made with kabosu. The free tour introduces the brewery's 150-year history and the attention to detail that goes into brewing, and also includes shochu tasting and purchases.
- Official website (Japanese)
- Kuge Honten Co., Ltd.
- This brewery is committed to producing environmentally friendly sake using local ingredients and water. You can take a free tour of the brewery, and you can also sample the sake at their affiliated store. There is also an English website, so if you're interested, check it out.
- Official website (Japanese)
- Kotegawa sake brewery
- The brewery features a traditional building from the Edo period (1603-1868). On the tour of the brewery, you can see the storehouse where shochu is stored and enjoy tastings of shochu and sake.
- Official website (Japanese)
- Ajimu Budoushu Koubou (Winery)
- This winery is located in Usa City. Not only can you enjoy tastings, but you can also purchase wine and tour the wine barrel storage and factory. Don't miss the spectacular view from the adjacent observation deck.
- See More
- Umeshu Gura OYAMA
- Umeshu is a traditional Japanese liqueur made by steeping plums. Here you can see the plum wine making process and compare the taste of about 10 different kinds of plum wine.
- Official website (Japanese)
Koji no Mori, one of the few amazake factories that can be toured
Amazake is a traditional Japanese sweet drink made from rice malt.
Koji no Mori is the only amazake factory in western Japan that allows tours. You can see the manufacturing process of homemade dried rice malt and the freshly finished amazake, and after the tour you can even sample the freshly made amazake (check the website for the factory operation schedule). The attached shop sells original products made with completely homemade dried rice malt.
Oita Prefecture specialties to enjoy with alcohol
We will introduce you to some of Oita's specialty gourmet foods that go perfectly with sake produced in Oita. Please enjoy them together.
- Ryukyu
- "Ryukyu" is a typical local dish of Oita Prefecture, made by tossing fresh raw horse mackerel or mackerel in a sweet and spicy sauce. The refreshing taste of barley shochu matches perfectly with the sauce, bringing out the flavor of each other.
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- Toriten
- "Toriten" is a dish of chicken covered in batter and deep-fried. The outside batter is crispy and the inside chicken is juicy, making it a perfect match with barley shochu. "Toriten" is so delicious that you'll find yourself drinking more and more of the drink.
- See More
- Cooking with Shiitake Mushrooms
- Shiitake mushrooms, a specialty of Oita Prefecture, can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as fried or boiled. Among them, the combination of grilled shiitake mushrooms and chilled barley shochu enhances the aroma and deep flavor.
- See More
What kind of alcohol is "doburoku," the alcoholic beverage made by shrines?
Doburoku is a traditional Japanese alcoholic drink characterized by its unique flavor that is both sweet and sour. It is also called Nigorizake (nigori means cloudy) because it is white and cloudy in appearance. Shirahige Tawara Shrine in Oita Prefecture is the only shrine in Kyushu that is permitted to produce Doburoku, and holds the annual Doburoku Festival, which has a history of over 1,300 years. The doburoku prepared by the shrine parishioners is offered to the shrine god in gratitude for the bountiful harvest. Visitors to the shrine can also drink Doburoku.
A place where you can taste Oita's sake
You can try Oita's local sake at izakayas and bars throughout the prefecture. There are a variety of options, from restaurants that serve dishes made with fresh local seafood and vegetables to bars where you can casually enjoy a drink. Each has its own charm, so why not try them out? Experience Oita's rich food culture while enjoying some barley shochu.
