“Dewazakura” & “Matsunokotobuki” In-store tasting event @ Ikebukuro

You can taste Dewazakura, DEWAZAKURA SAKE BREWERY CO.,LTD from Yamagata prefecture, and Matsunokotobuki, Matsui Breweries Co Ltd. from Tochigi prefecture.

Dewazakura (DEWAZAKURA SAKE BREWERY CO.,LTD)

Dewazakura Sake Brewery was founded in 1892. It is is located in Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture. Tendo city is in the middle of Yamagata Prefecture. Situated in between mountains, it’s the perfect place for a quick getaway from a big city like Tokyo. If you’re planning to visit the Tohoku region, this is a perfect place to start. If you like soba, beef, delicious fruits and Shogi (Japanese chess- Tendo is the main producer in the whole country), Tendo is your perfect getaway destination.

Situated in the Yamagata Basin and surrounded by high mountains, Tendo City is hot in summer, often exceeding 35 degrees Celsius, and in the winter can receive considerable snowfall, often exceeding one meter in depth. These natural features, including the climate, have made the region a major production center of rice, fruits and other products. Using this great rice, they have been making sake by hand. For example, they use small tanks enough to handle manually. It makes precision temperature control possible, which in turn allows us to brew high-quality sake in small quantities.

Since the Edo era, Tendo has played an important role in the production and manufacture of Japanese “Shogi” chess pieces. Many events and games are organized through the year to celebrate the traditional game. The most famous is in spring when people dress up as human chess pieces for “Ningen Shogi” and play the game out on a human scale. Sit amongst the blooming trees and watch the human pieces play out games of Shogi.

Why don’t you watching “Ningen Shogi” while tasting Sake?

Tasting at home by amazon

Dewazakura Oka Ginjo 出羽桜酒造出羽桜(でわざくら) 桜花吟醸酒 720ml

DEWAZAKURA SAKE BREWERY CO.,LTD Home page

Matsunokotobuki (Matsui Breweries Co Ltd.)

Shioya is a town located in near Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, in the northern Kanto region of Japan. Matsui Breweries is founded in 1865.

There is Shoujinzawa in Shioya district. It is famous for the beautiful stream and beautiful water spring. Shoujinzawa spring water is selected as one of the 100 exquisite and well conserved waters of Japan and the spring water representing Tochigi Prefecture. The temperature of the water is constant, around 11℃ even in summer. It is good spot to take a mystical photo in Shoujinzawa. Bring your tripod and camera with you and you can capture the sun light-beams through the trees in summer early morning.

On the hill behind the brewery also springs out natural water. It is super soft water. They use the water for brewing sake which makes their sake soft texture and fresh aroma.

Matsuno kotobuki Junmai ginjo Omachi is warded a Platinum medal in the Junmai Daiginjo & Junmai Ginjo category at the Kura Master 2018.

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Matsunokotobuki Junmai 松の寿純米酒 720ml 1本

Matsui Breweries Co Ltd. Home page

DATE AND TIME

2018/09/06 (Thu)～2018/09/12 (Wed) 10:00～20:00

You cannot go? Check out ichibansake Event Calendar

LOCATION

Ikebukuro Tobu Department Store B1F

1 Chome-1-25 Nishiikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo 171-0021

Google map

Access

Directly connected to “Ikebukuro station”

Web site

For more information visit, 東武百貨店池袋店日本酒催事スケジュール

2018-09-082018-10-20

“Sanzen” & “Kitanosho” In-store tasting event @ Ikebukuro

You can taste Sanzen, Kikuchi Sake Brewing Co.,Ltd from Okayama prefecture, and Kitanosho, Funaki Sake Brewery from Fukui prefecture.

Sanzen (Kikuchi Sake Brewing Co.,Ltd)

One of Western Japan’s transportation hubs, Okayama is very conveniently located just 1 hour from Kyoto and about 35 minutes from Hiroshima by Shinkansen. Kurashiki is located in Okayama Prefecture, not far from the prefectural capital of Okayama City. Kurashiki has a preserved canal area that dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1867), when the city served as an important rice distribution center.

The roots of Omachi rice is from Okayama Prefecture. Among consumers, there are many fans of sake brewed from Omachi rice as it has a special subtle and smooth flavor. If compared to the dry, crisp sake make from Yamada Nishiki rice, sake made from Omachi rice has a rich, thick flavor.

Kikuchi Sake Brewery began business in 1878. This “Sanzen” and “Kiseki No Osake” brewery stands at a corner of the traditional wholesale district in the Tamashima area of Kurashiki City.

There was one of many port towns for the large, wooden stone-hauling ships that departed from the Bitchu area. Boasting excellent water quality from the Takahashi River valley and together with the superior rice strains Omachi and Yamada Nishiki, quality-oriented is our motto in producing sake the traditional way.

The brewery owner and the brew master To Kikuchi brew “Sanzen”with commitment to quality and a passion for the most excellent sake.

Tasting at home by amazon

Sanzen Tokubetsu Junmai Omachi 燦然(さんぜん) 特別純米酒雄町 720ml

Kikuchi Sake Brewing Co.,Ltd Home page

Kitanosho (Funaki Sake Brewery)

Founded in the Owada district of Fukui City in 1866. It has about 150 years history.

The center of Fukui was once called Kitanosho. Kitanosho Castle, which was said to be one of the biggest castles in Japan at that time, was built by Shibata Katsuie, a military commander during the Warring States Period and a ruler of Echizen province. He concentrated his efforts especially on civil administration. He also worked on the development of the castle town and established the foundation of today’s Fukui City.

There are statues and monuments to a number of historical personages throughout the city.

Using the pure water of Fukui and the nation’s top quality rice in the cool snowy climate, Fukui’s local sake is made with the brewers’ love and skill. Fukui has many kinds of local sake that are unique and rich in flavor.

Tasting at home by amazon
Kitanosho Junmai Ginjo Sake “Jungin” 舟木酒造　北の庄　純米吟醸　醇吟 720ml

Funaki Sake Brewery Home page

DATE AND TIME

2018/09/05 (Wed)～2018/09/11 (Tue) 10:00～20:00

You cannot go? Check out ichibansake Event Calendar

LOCATION

Seibu Ikebukuro B1F

〒171-0022 Tokyo, Toshima, Minamiikebukuro, 1 Chome−28−1

Google map

Access

Directly connect
Ikebukuro Station South Exit, Exit 38, Exit 36

Web site

For more information visit, 今週の酒と肴

2018-09-02

Musashinokuni Sake Festival 2018

This event is not only from Tokyo breweries, but also more. Enjoy Sake spiritually!

Okunitama-jinja Shrine is one of Tokyo’s oldest shrines with a history of nearly 2,000 years. Located at the center of Fuchu City, it is considered one of the five major shrines of Tokyo along with Meiji Jingu, Yasukuni Jinja Shrine, Hie Jinja, and Mie Shrine. It’s also a popular shrine to visit for New Year’s Hatsumode. About 500,000 people visit each New Year’s.

There is Matsuo Shrine in Okunitama-jinja Shrine where the sake brewing god is enshrined.

“In Japan, sake has always been a way of bringing our gods and people together.”

It isn’t merely for drinking at get-togethers, however; sake also has a special holy significance. Drinking sake is an act of purification, and it is used to bring people and gods together, similar to the role wine plays in Communion at Christian churches. It plays a major role in Shinto wedding ceremonies, as the bride and groom serve it to each other as a symbol of the vows they are making. Sake is often is given out at shrine festivals to worshippers, and participants in those festivals usually have some sake before the actual festival begins.

DATE AND TIME

2018/09/15(Sat)

11:00 – 16:00

– You cannot go? Check out ichibansake Event Calendar

LOCATION

Okunitama-jinja Shrine Sando waki hiroba

3-1 Miyamachi Fuchu-shi Tokyo 183-0023

Google map

Access

5 mins on foot from “Fuchu Station” on Keio Line
5 mins on foot from “Fuchu-honmachi Station” on JR Nambu Line / JR Musashino Line

Ticket

¥1,800

Advance ticket Link

e-plus (1,000ppl)

At the Door
¥ 2,000 (100ppl)

Web site

For more information visit, 東京都酒造組合