A sake festival where you can enjoy sake from the historic Fushimi region

Kyoto, the capital of Japan for a thousand years, has long been the largest consumer of sake in Japan. The history of sake brewing in Kyoto dates back to the Heian period, and the amount of sake produced has increased over time. As commerce and distribution stabilized, sake brewing sites moved from the center of Kyoto to the suburbs, centered around Fushimi. The area was once called "Fushimizu," and the area's environment is blessed with high-quality groundwater, which is also one of the reasons why the sake brewing industry developed in Fushimi.

In the Meiji period, when railways became the center of distribution, Fushimi's sake became famous throughout the country. Fushimi's sake breweries grew rapidly as they advanced into the Tokyo market and improved their sake brewing techniques. Led by these Fushimi sake breweries, Kyoto Prefecture still boasts one of the highest production volumes in the country today.

Fifteen of these historic Fushimi sake breweries will participate in the "Fushimi Sake Festival in Otesuji Shopping Street 2024." The venue, Fushimi Otesuji Shopping Street, stretches 15 meters from Keihan Fushimi Momoyama Station and Kintetsu Momoyama Goryomae Station, and was already packed with visitors before the first part began at 400:13 p.m.

All three advance tickets were sold out, and a total of 3 visitors enjoyed traditional Fushimi sake throughout the day.

15 historic sake breweries offering their signature sake

The sake breweries' booths are lined up in a row in the center of the shopping arcade. Visitors rush to the brewery of their choice, armed with original sake cups and 100 sake coupons worth 10 yen each.

Each booth offers not only the brewery's signature brand, but also sake that can only be enjoyed at this time of year, such as freshly pressed new sake. Let's take a look around each booth in order.

A Kizakura (Established in 1925)
Exhibited sakes: Junmai Sparkling Piano / Nakaragi Junmai Ginjo / Specially Selected Junmai Ginjo Kizakura / Daiginjo Nouveau

Nakaragi Junmai Ginjo is an original sake from Kyoto Prefectural University, made using Kyoto-grown sake rice "Kyoto no Kagayaki" and Kyoto yeast "Kyoto no Koi." As the name suggests, it has a refreshing and mellow taste.

B Kyohime Shuzo (Established in 1918)
Exhibited sake: Yamada Nishiki Daiginjo Takumi / Junmai Daiginjo Takumi / Daiginjo Genshu Kyohime Tobintori

"Daiginjo Genshu Kyohime Tobintori" is a luxurious bottle of sake that is bottled without applying extra pressure when squeezing the mash, and the sake drips like drops from the sake bag. You can enjoy the gorgeous aroma, gentle flavor, and smooth taste.

C Yamamoto Honke (founded in 1677)
Exhibited sakes: Shinsei Tareguchi Unfiltered Nama Genshu / Shinsei Tokubetsu Junmai Genshu Super Dry / Shinsei Kyoto Sanshu Junmai Daiginjo / Yamada-Nishiki Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Gold / Yamada-Nishiki Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Platinum

"Yamada Nishiki Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Platinum" was the most expensive brand at this event (worth 10 tickets). It has a delicate aroma and a gentle taste, and a mild yet strong flavor. It is an elegant sake that you will want to drink again and again.

▲ Managing Director Koji Yamamoto: "We have higher-ranked sake, but we can't sell it for more than 10 tickets... so we're happy that you can try it at events like this."
Yamamoto also served sake warm. "It takes time to heat it in hot water, but I want people to enjoy sake that is more delicious when it's warm," he said with a smile in between his busy schedule.

D Miyakozuru Sake Brewery (Established in 1970)
Exhibited sakes: Miyakozuru Junmai Ginjo Namasake / Miyakozuru Junmai Ginjo Hiyaoroshi / Miyakozuru Junmai Daiginjo Unfiltered Genshu

The Miyakozuru brand has a history of over 170 years and has been passed down through the hands of many brewers up to the present day. "Miyakozuru Junmai Daiginjo Unfiltered Genshu" is a brand that has a gentle ginjo aroma, but also a strong flavor that is characteristic of genshu.

E Kitagawa Honke (founded in 1657)
Exhibited sake: Freshly squeezed unfiltered unpasteurized sake / Junmai Daiginjo Sasanigori unpasteurized sake / Daiginjo unpasteurized sake Tobinsai

"New Sake, Freshly Squeezed, Unfiltered, Raw Sake" offers the strength and juiciness that only raw sake can offer. I was surprised that I could enjoy this flavor with just one ticket.

President and CEO Yukihiro Kitagawa says about sake brewing, "Sake brewing involves working with microorganisms such as koji and yeast, so it requires work day and night. The technology has improved since the old days, but it's still a job that requires a lot of manpower." It's moving to think that sake brewing has continued in this place called Fushimi for hundreds of years.

F Matsumoto Sake Brewery (established in 1791)
Exhibited sake: Momo no Shizuku Junmaishu / Momo no Shizuku Junmai Ginjo / Momo no Shizuku Junmai Daiginjo

A tasting test of their signature product, "Momo no Shizuku," is being held. You can enjoy the different aromas and flavors depending on the rice polishing ratio.
President and CEO Soichiro Matsumoto said about Fushimi's sake, "The name Kyoto is known throughout the world. In order to connect the last mile to Fushimi, various efforts such as promoting fermentation culture will become important in the future."

G Tamanohikari Sake Brewery (established in 1673)
Exhibited sakes: Junmai Daiginjo Freshly Squeezed Unpasteurized / Junmai Ginjo 100% Iwai Genji Monogatari Emaki / Organic Junmai Ginjo GREEN Omachi / Junmai Daiginjo Shuho Aged Sake

"Junmai Daiginjo Freshly Squeezed Genshu" is a new sake brewed using newly harvested rice. It was served at this event before it was released to the public. The freshness of the freshly squeezed sake and the satisfying taste of genshu match perfectly with the seasonal flavors of autumn and winter.

H Saito Sake Brewery (Established in 1895)
Exhibited sakes: Eikun Junmai Freshly Squeezed Unpasteurized Sake / Eikun Akiagari Junmaishu / Koto Sennen Junmai Daiginjo / Ichigin Junmai Daiginjo
We enjoyed the freshly pressed new sake. As it is unpasteurized sake, it is extremely satisfying to drink.

▲ President and CEO Ko Saito: "We've increased the number of participants by about 1% compared to last year, so it's more exciting than usual. The event is becoming more well-known every year, and I'm glad that more people are looking forward to it."

This event allows you to enjoy Fushimi sake while also experiencing the charms of each store in the Otesuji Shopping Arcade. Saito-san continues, "I would be happy if you could visit the stores in the shopping arcade after the event is over." I felt that it was a great success in revitalizing the town centered on Fushimi sake.

I Masuda Tokubei Shoten (Established in 1675)
Exhibited sakes: Tsuki no Katsura Laugh-out-loud / Tsuki no Katsura Yanagi Junmai Ginjo Sake / Tsuki no Katsura Shukumai Junmai Daiginjo Nigori Sake

▲14th Chairman Masuda Tokubei, CEO Masuda Junichi, and 2024 Miss SAKE Kyoto Tsuda Tomoka were at the booth, offering sake directly to the many visitors. "We are really happy as the organizers that everyone looks forward to this event every year and that it has been such a great success," said Tokubei. The "Tsuki no Katsura Yanagi Junmai Ginjo Sake" we received had a well-balanced aroma and flavor, and was refreshing and enjoyable.

J Kinshi Masamune (Established in 1781)
Exhibited sakes: Ginkaku Aramusha / Kinki Masamune Junmai Ginjo Yamada Nishiki / Kinki Masamune Junmai Ginjo Genshu Limited Ice-Cold Storage / Matsuya Kyubey Premium

"Matsuya Kyubey Premium" is a luxurious sake made from Yamada Nishiki rice from Hyogo Prefecture, polished to 35%. You can enjoy the richness and aroma that comes from low-temperature aging.

K Shotoku Sake Brewery (Established in 1645)
Exhibited sakes: Junmai Ginjo Shotoku Winter Sake - Freshly Squeezed - / Junmai Ginjo Shotoku Autumn Sake - Hiyaoroshi Genshu - / Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Nakatori Shuku / Junmai Daiginjo Genshu Nakatori Yamada Nishiki

At Shotoku Sake Brewery, we had the chance to compare their new sake with their autumn chilled sake. Comparing sake from the same brewery is one of the best parts of participating in such an event.

L Toyosawa main store (founded in the 1800s)
Exhibited sakes: Toyoiwai Nama Genshu / Toyoiwai Ginjo / Toyoiwai Junmai Ginjo / Toyoiwai Junmai Daiginjo / Toyoiwai Junmai Daiginjo

"Toyoiwai Junmai Daiginjo Shuku" is made from Shuku, a sake rice unique to Kyoto Prefecture, polished to 50% and brewed using natural water from Fushimi.

M Takara Shuzo (founded in 1842)
Exhibited sake: Shochikubai "Subaru" (unpasteurized sake) / (Specially selected Shochikubai Junmai Daiginjo) / (Specially selected Shochikubai Daiginjo 39% polished)

The Shochikubai trademark was registered in 1920. The "Specially Selected Shochikubai Daiginjo Polished 39%" sake, made with rice polished to XNUMX%, has a fruity ginjo aroma and a refined taste.

N Gekkeikan (Established in 1637)
Exhibited sake: Special Selection / Argo Sake 5.0 / Newly Sake Junmai Daiginjo Namasake / Hourin Junmai Ginjo / Hourin Junmai Daiginjo

Argo, which was just released in September 2024, is a new type of sake with an alcohol content of 9%. Managing Director Yasuharu Okura said about the product, "We developed it with the hope that even people who only drink sake on weekends can enjoy it casually." It has a rich flavor and refreshing taste like amazake, and is a bottle that allows you to enjoy a completely new sake aroma and flavor.

Matsuyama Sake Brewery (established in 1923)
Exhibited sake: 10 koku celebration Junmai Ginjo / 10 koku celebration Junmai Ginjo unfiltered unpasteurized sake / 10 koku celebration Junmai Ginjo Spring / Super limited edition! 10 koku celebration Junmai Ginjo Origarami Nama / 10 koku celebration Junmai Daiginjo unfiltered unpasteurized sake

After a hiatus of over a year since 2021, Matsuyama Sake Brewery will be newly relaunched in 1 as a Tokoku brand. The brand, which launched in spring 2023, will be the newest in the history of Fushimi. Due to this background, it attracted the attention of many visitors, and the limited number of "New Sake Super Limited! Tokoku Celebration Junmai Ginjo Origarami" and other products were sold out soon after the event started, creating a lively atmosphere.

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Registration a Boost for Fushimi Sake

It was announced that Japan's "traditional sake brewing" will be registered as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in early November 2024. Fushimi's presence is no small part of the reason why this tradition has been passed down until now.

Tokubei Masuda, former chairman of the Fushimi Sake Brewers Association, said:
"In France, the acts of eating and drinking have been registered as intangible cultural heritage as part of gastronomy (the relationship between food and culture). It is rare worldwide for alcohol to be registered on its own."

Yukihiro Kitagawa, who became the chairman of the Fushimi Sake Brewers Association in November 2024, commented on the association's future prospects as follows:

"Since washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine) was registered as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2013, the industry as a whole has been working on it, with the idea that 'sake is next.' People in the Kansai region are aware that Fushimi is a famous sake-producing region, but in eastern Japan, awareness is still low. With the UNESCO registration as an opportunity, we would like to promote efforts to make Fushimi sake known and enjoyed by people all over the country."

He also continued on with his outlook for the future of Fushimi:

"Fushimi is blessed with a favorable environment for sake production, as it is home to the world-famous brand Kyoto. Many tourists from Japan and abroad visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, so we would like to think of ways to encourage them to visit the individual sake breweries in Fushimi from there. There are many breweries of all sizes in a compact area, so we would like to proceed with an initiative that allows people to learn about sake by touring multiple breweries."

The fact that sake has been recognized worldwide will be a powerful boost for the sake breweries in Fushimi. The day is sure to be coming soon when tourists from all over Japan, and even the world, will visit Fushimi in search of sake.

The "Fushimi Sake Festival 2025" is scheduled to be held on March 3, 15. We hope you will enjoy the traditional Fushimi sake that has supported the history of Japanese sake to your heart's content.

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The second "Fushimi Sake Festival" will be held on Saturday, March 2025, 3, with a new look and become an event where you can enjoy sake even more!

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Writer: Yuki Arai
Born in Shiga Prefecture, living in Kyoto City / Sake master, sake sommelier, shochu sommelier, SAKE DIPLOMA, SAKE certification instructor
Due to his love of alcohol, after graduating from university he got a job at a liquor store in Kyoto. After that he worked in sales for a food manufacturer before becoming a freelance writer. His specialties are traditional cuisine and alcohol. He will continue to work hard to spread the appeal of Japanese sake through his articles.