Nada, Hyogo Prefecture, is one of the three major sake-producing areas in Japan. The Nada Gogo area consists of five sake brewing areas: Saigo, Mikagego, Uozakigo, Nishinomiyago, and Imazugo.

Nishinomiya City, where Nishinomiya-go and Imazu-go are located, is known as the "town of fine sake" and sake is the symbol of the city. Every year on the first weekend of October, a major event called the "Nishinomiya Sakegura Renaissance and Food Fair (hereinafter referred to as Sakegura Renaissance)" is held.
The 28th event will be held in 2024, marking a milestone as Nishinomiya City marks the 100th anniversary of its transition to a city in the spring of the following year.

Nishinomiya, the city of fine sake

Nishinomiya is often associated with the hustle and bustle of Koshien Stadium, such as the Hanshin Tigers baseball team and high school baseball, but the city center is also dominated by high-end residential areas known as the Seven Gardens (Kurakuen, Koyoen, Kotoen, Kohroen, Kofuen, Showaen, and Koshien). Due to its long vertical geographical feature, the city has many different faces depending on the area.

Sake is an essential part of the culture of Nishinomiya. It has been popular in the southern part of the city facing the Seto Inland Sea. The underground water "Miyamizu" that flows from the Rokko Mountains produces "Otokozake" that is dry, mellow and crisp. It is an absolute necessity for Nada sake, and each sake brewer has their own dedicated well.

The spring water flowing from near Nishinomiya Shrine became the catalyst for the creation of famous sake breweries in the surrounding area.
Nishinomiya, the city of fine sake, has many recommended sakes for drinkers, including Ozeki from One Cup, Nihonzakari from Soka, which is a supplier to the Imperial Household Agency, Shirataka from the Ise Grand Shrine's official brewery, and Tatsuuma Honke Brewery from Hakushika, which has a history of over 360 years.

A diverse international group of drinkers gather at Ebesan

The Sakegura Renaissance, which began as a part of the recovery from the Great Hanshin Earthquake, is held with Nishinomiya Shrine as its main venue. At the nearest station, Hanshin Nishinomiya Station, the "sake color" is stronger than usual during this period.

Nishinomiya Shrine is widely known for the "Toka Ebisu" festival, which is held every year around January 1th, and one of the main events is the selection of the lucky man.
Volunteers who boast strong legs run from the front gate to the main hall, aiming for the first good fortune, but the total length is actually about 200 meters. The entire shrine grounds cover an area of ​​42,000 square meters, which is about one-twentieth the size of Fushimi Inari Taisha.

Sakegura Renaissance takes place in a compact space, but the moment you step inside the temple grounds, there are people, people, and more people. It's as if they're saying, "We've been waiting for this day!"

The limited edition sake cups commemorating the event were all sold out within an hour of the doors opening. I can't believe I can't get one...

The venue is packed with Nada's finest sakes all gathered under one roof. Brand names, including those from the breweries mentioned above, greet you one after the other.
The biggest attraction of this event is that you will have a hard time deciding which one to choose.

The food was also excellent, making it a "fair." Where there's good sake, there's good food, too.

After much deliberation, I chose the Shirataka tasting set and Koshien Hero Fried chicken wings, a B-class gourmet treat only known to a few in Nishinomiya.
The five fine sakes that Hakutaka is proud of will quench your thirst and increase the speed at which you can bring the fried hero to your mouth.

Everyone was sipping their favorite alcohol and munching on food, and the atmosphere in the venue was like a wine and women's orgy.
The intoxicating visitors are also a diverse bunch, with local Nishinomiya residents at the forefront, as well as people from Tokyo, Kyushu, Asia, and Europe - drinkers from Japan and abroad gather at Ebesan to enjoy the feast.

While getting tipsy, everyone was interacting with each other through alcohol. There was no regard for nationality or skin color, just friends enjoying food and drinks. We Love Japanese Sake!

Gen Z is joining the fray!

The Sakegura Renaissance is characterized by the diversity of ages of participants, just like their nationalities. Kwansei Gakuin University in Nishinomiya City also had a booth at the event. They offered special sake cocktails in collaboration with manufacturers in the Nadagogo area.

The writer was also captivated by the striking lineup, and ordered the most popular item on offer, the "Sake Mojito." This item allows you to choose from four brands of sake to pair with your drink: Soka (Nihonzakari), Kuromatsu Hakushika (Tatsuma Honke Brewery), Yamada Nishiki (Ozeki), and Kinmatsu (Shirataka).

I took a big gulp in the temple grounds, where the summer heat was still lingering, wondering what it would taste like.
Wow, this has a refreshing taste. The mint adds a nice touch, but my brain can't immediately comprehend the taste as being from sake.

Who would have thought there could be such a way to arrange sake? Isn't this also an "assemblage"?
As I was simply fascinated by the young people's bold challenge, a woman standing next to me was also curious and asked, "Oh, what's that?"
This booth, entitled "Japanese Sake Promotion Project," is being held as part of a seminar at Kwansei Gakuin University. This is also an episode where they were able to touch upon the potential of sake.

The satellite venues were also a great success!

Nishinomiya Shrine is the main venue for Sakegura Renaissance, but there are actually several "sub" venues. During the event, each brand's sake is served at a satellite venue, such as the direct sales store at the headquarters of the Nadagogo exhibitors.
This time, the writer visited Ozeki's Mei Bar, where a "nama unpasteurized sake set" was served.

As you pass through the gate at the venue, you are greeted by a barrel of sake with a bicycle parked next to it.
At first glance it may seem like a strange combination, but with an elementary school located across the street from the venue, Nadagogo's manufacturers are integrated into the town.

By the way, this street is called "Sake Brewery Street." It goes without saying that riding a bicycle while drunk is strictly prohibited.

We also recommend the brewery opening!

Although the event came to a close in the blink of an eye, Nadagogo continues to hold sake events at various milestones and interact with its fans.
Every year from February to March, a brewery opening event is held where new sake is served. A different sake brewery is hosting the event every weekend.

The atmosphere here is also extremely exciting. Why not try to find your very own "Nada no Kiippon"?