Explore Japan's Sake Regions

Journey to Aomori, the northern tip of Japan's main island, a land of dramatic beauty and ancient traditions. It's home to the mystical Shirakami-Sanchi mountains (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and vibrant Nebuta festivals. The deep, cold winters and abundant pure water are key to producing sake with elegance and a subtle, fruity complexity.

Explore Iwate, a vast prefecture on the Pacific coast, known for its rugged coastline, historic temples, and the legendary Nanbu-Toji brewing guild. This is a land where tradition runs deep, and the pristine natural environment provides the foundation for creating pure, well-balanced sake.

Discover Miyagi, a prefecture of stunning contrasts, from the pine-clad islands of Matsushima Bay (one of Japan's 'Three Great Views') to the vibrant, modern city of Sendai. This region's focus on quality rice and innovative brewing techniques results in sake that is both clean and flavorful.

Venture into Akita, a region of snowy winters, hot springs (onsen), and unique folklore like the 'Namahage' demons. Akita is a powerhouse of rice production, and its brewers use this advantage, along with abundant pure water, to create sake with exceptional depth and character.

Welcome to Yamagata, a mountainous prefecture often called the 'Ginjo Kingdom' for its dedication to producing high-end, aromatic sake. Surrounded by stunning nature, including the 'snow monsters' of Mount Zao, Yamagata is a paradise for sake lovers seeking fragrant and elegant brews.

Experience the resilience and beauty of Fukushima, a large prefecture with diverse landscapes, from coastal plains to mountainous inland areas. Fukushima's brewers have earned incredible acclaim, winning more gold medals in the national sake competition than any other prefecture for many years.

Visit Ibaraki, a prefecture in the Kanto plain, home to one of Japan's most beautiful landscape gardens, Kairaku-en, and the giant Ushiku Daibutsu buddha statue. Its fertile lands and proximity to the sea influence a brewing tradition that emphasizes clean, crisp, and food-friendly sake.

Explore Tochigi, a mountainous inland prefecture famous for the stunning shrines and temples of Nikko, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The pure mountain water that flows through the region is the lifeblood of its sake, contributing to a smooth and mellow character.

Discover Gunma, a land of majestic mountains and famous hot spring resorts (onsen) like Kusatsu and Ikaho. The abundant, high-quality soft water flowing from these mountains is the secret ingredient for producing light, clean, and refreshing sake.

Just north of Tokyo, Saitama offers a blend of urban convenience and rich history, with charming old towns like Kawagoe, known as 'Little Edo.' Its sake brewing tradition is one of the oldest in the Kanto region, producing robust and flavorful styles.

Explore Chiba, the peninsula just east of Tokyo, known for its sandy beaches, beautiful coastline, and Narita International Airport. Its temperate climate and proximity to the ocean inspire brewers to create fresh, clean sake that is a perfect match for seafood.

Experience the heart of modern Japan in Tokyo, a dazzling metropolis where ancient traditions meet futuristic technology. While not a major sake production region, Tokyo is home to a handful of innovative, small-scale breweries and is the ultimate place to sample sake from all over Japan.

Discover Kanagawa, a diverse prefecture south of Tokyo, home to the bustling port city of Yokohama, the ancient capital of Kamakura, and the hot springs of Hakone. The clear water from the Tanzawa mountains provides the foundation for its refined and elegant sake.

Welcome to Niigata, the undisputed king of premium rice and the birthplace of the world-famous 'Tanrei Karakuchi' (crisp and dry) sake style. This is a land of heavy snowfall, which melts into pure water, and a dedication to creating some of the cleanest, most refined sake in the world.

Explore Toyama, a prefecture blessed by the majestic Tateyama mountain range and the deep, bountiful Toyama Bay. This unique geography provides brewers with pristine snowmelt water and a rich seafood culture that inspires the creation of flavorful, food-friendly sake.

Step into Ishikawa, a prefecture where art, culture, and tradition flourish, especially in the beautiful city of Kanazawa. This region is famous for its distinctive cuisine and a proud brewing tradition that includes the complex and savory 'Yamahai' method, pioneered by the local brewers.

Discover Fukui, a coastal prefecture known for its dramatic cliffs, Zen temples, and being a leading producer of high-quality sake rice. The combination of pure mountain water and exceptional rice allows brewers to create sake that is both elegant and deeply flavorful.

Welcome to Yamanashi, the home of Mount Fuji! While famous as Japan's premier wine region, Yamanashi also has a long history of sake brewing, utilizing the pure, soft water that flows from the Southern Alps and Mt. Fuji itself. It's a unique blend of brewing cultures.

Explore Nagano, a stunning mountain paradise that hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics. The cool climate and incredibly pure water from the Japanese Alps create the ideal environment for brewing refined, aromatic, and complex sake. Many small, family-run breweries dot the landscape.

Journey into the heart of Japan in Gifu, a prefecture of clear streams, ancient traditions, and the historic villages of Hida-Takayama and Shirakawa-go. The pristine water flowing from the mountains is the key ingredient in Gifu's diverse and high-quality sake.

Discover Shizuoka, a prefecture of stunning natural beauty, from the iconic Mount Fuji to the beautiful Izu Peninsula. While famous for green tea, Shizuoka is also a top producer of premium 'Ginjo' sake, thanks to its soft water and innovative brewers.

Welcome to Aichi, an industrial and cultural hub centered around the vibrant city of Nagoya. The region is famous for its unique and flavorful cuisine, such as miso-katsu and hitsumabushi, which has inspired a local sake style that is rich and robust.

Journey to Mie, a spiritually significant prefecture, home to the Ise Grand Shrine, Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine, and the ninja heritage of Iga. The pure waters flowing through this historic land contribute to a clean and well-balanced sake style.

Explore Shiga, the prefecture that cradles Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake. The abundant, high-quality water from the lake and surrounding mountains, along with a long history of rice cultivation, has made Shiga a region of rich and flavorful sake.

Welcome to Kyoto, the ancient imperial capital and the heart of Japanese culture. The Fushimi district in Kyoto is one of Japan's most famous sake-producing areas, blessed with incredibly soft and pure water known as 'Fushimizu,' which is perfect for brewing elegant sake.

Dive into Osaka, Japan's vibrant and energetic 'kitchen of the nation.' Famous for its incredible street food like takoyaki and okonomiyaki, Osaka has a sake culture that is bold, accessible, and designed to be enjoyed with its lively culinary scene.

Welcome to Hyogo, the undisputed king of sake production in Japan. It's home to the Nada-Gogo (the 'Five Villages of Nada'), the country's largest sake-producing region, and is the birthplace of 'Yamadanishiki,' the most famous premium sake rice.

Step back in time in Nara, Japan's first permanent capital and the birthplace of Japanese sake. With ancient temples, friendly wild deer, and a serene atmosphere, Nara is where the traditions of sake brewing began, with monks at Bodaisen Shoryaku-ji temple perfecting the first clear, refined sake.

Explore Wakayama, a lush, coastal prefecture known for its sacred Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails, beautiful beaches, and abundant fruit production, especially plums (ume) and mandarin oranges (mikan). Its warm climate and mountain water create a unique environment for sake brewing.

Discover Tottori, a prefecture of surprising landscapes, from the vast Tottori Sand Dunes to the majestic Mount Daisen. As one of Japan's least populated prefectures, it boasts a pristine natural environment with clean air and pure water, ideal for small-scale, artisanal sake brewing.

Journey to Shimane, the 'Land of the Gods,' a place steeped in Japanese mythology and home to the Izumo Grand Shrine, one of the oldest and most important shrines in Japan. This mystical land has a long history of sake brewing, deeply connected to its spiritual traditions.

Welcome to Okayama, the 'Land of Sunshine,' blessed with a mild climate and famous for its delicious fruits like peaches and grapes. It is also the historical home of 'Omachi,' one of the oldest and most revered varieties of sake rice, which gives a unique, rich, and complex character to its sake.

Visit Hiroshima, a prefecture of peace, history, and stunning natural beauty, from the iconic 'floating' torii gate of Miyajima Island to the vibrant modern city. Hiroshima is also a revolutionary place for sake, as it's where the method for brewing with soft water was developed.

Explore Yamaguchi, the westernmost tip of Japan's main island, a region with a rich samurai history and beautiful coastlines. It is home to one of the most famous and innovative sake brands in the world, Dassai, which has helped to define the modern, premium sake movement.

Dive into the vibrant culture of Tokushima, home to the electrifying Awa Odori dance festival and the dramatic Naruto whirlpools. This region on Shikoku island uses its unique local resources, including innovative yeast strains, to create distinctive and modern sake.

Welcome to Kagawa, Japan's smallest prefecture, but a giant in the world of noodles, being the home of 'Sanuki Udon.' This charming region on the Seto Inland Sea has a mild climate and a tradition of brewing smooth, food-friendly sake to accompany its famous cuisine.

Discover Ehime, a sunny prefecture on Shikoku island, famous for its delicious mandarin oranges (mikan) and the historic Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot springs. The cheerful, sunny character of the region is often reflected in its bright and aromatic sake.

Experience the bold spirit of Kochi, a prefecture on the Pacific coast known for its heroic historical figures like Sakamoto Ryoma, its lively Yosakoi festival, and its love for drinking parties. The local culture embraces a dry, crisp, and powerful style of sake.

Welcome to Fukuoka, the gateway to Kyushu island and a vibrant city famous for its incredible food scene, especially Hakata ramen and street food stalls (yatai). The warm climate and rich food culture have led to a sake style that is flavorful and robust.

Explore Saga, a prefecture famous for its world-class pottery and porcelain, like Arita-yaki and Imari-yaki. This dedication to craftsmanship is also reflected in its sake, which is known for its quality, balance, and elegance, benefiting from the region's excellent rice production.

Discover Nagasaki, a port city with a long and complex history of international exchange, which has left a unique, cosmopolitan mark on its culture and cuisine. While more famous for shochu, Nagasaki's few sake breweries produce a distinctive, often sweeter style.

Venture into Kumamoto, a land of dramatic nature, dominated by the active volcano Mount Aso and the beautiful Amakusa islands. Kumamoto is also the origin of the famous 'Kyokai No. 9' yeast, which has had a massive impact on creating the fragrant 'Ginjo' sake we know today.

Welcome to Oita, the 'Onsen Prefecture,' famous for having the largest number of hot springs in Japan, including the famous resorts of Beppu and Yufuin. While a major shochu producer, Oita also creates clean and refined sake, thanks to its abundant pure water.

Experience the 'Land of Myths' in Miyazaki, a sunny, subtropical prefecture on the coast of Kyushu, known for its beautiful shrines, stunning coastline, and laid-back atmosphere. While overwhelmingly a shochu region, its few sake breweries create a unique, tropical-influenced style.

Journey to Kagoshima, a dramatic land at the southern tip of Kyushu, dominated by the active Sakurajima volcano. This is the heartland of shochu, particularly sweet potato shochu, but a few dedicated brewers apply their skills to create highly distinctive sake.

Welcome to Okinawa, Japan's tropical paradise, a chain of islands with a unique culture, beautiful coral reefs, and a history as the independent Ryukyu Kingdom. The traditional drink here is 'Awamori,' but a few pioneers are now brewing sake in this subtropical climate.

Welcome to Hokkaido, Japan's vast northern wilderness! Famous for epic ski slopes, snow festivals, and stunning national parks. The pure snowmelt from this pristine environment creates the perfect conditions for brewing exceptionally clean, crisp, and refreshing sake. It's a taste of Japan's great outdoors in every sip.