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Kyoto's sake and local projects "Sakematchi" and "Tera Nomi" talk about "sake and place"!

In Kyoto, sake events are held in townhouses and temples that are registered tangible cultural properties. What kind of gatherings are they, and why do people drink sake at these places? We asked Shinozuka and Moriyama of "Sake Match" and Aburanokoji of "Tera No Mi" to tell us about them.

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There are various events all over Japan, but in Kyoto there are two sake events called "Sake Match," which is held in a townhouse that is a registered tangible cultural property, and "Tera Nomi," which opens a temple to the public. We spoke to the organizers of the events, Shinozuka and Moriyama of "Sake Match," and Aburanokoji of "Tera Nomi," about these two sake gatherings, which are held in an unexpected location on Rokkaku Street in the very center of Kyoto.

I spoke to this person

Sakematchi Representative Naoaki Shinozuka
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Born in Kumamoto Prefecture. Majored in physics at Kyoto University Graduate School. After working at NEC in Tokyo, he started an IT company. He then moved to Kyoto and founded Sho Co., Ltd. in July 2024, which provides general IT support to small and medium-sized enterprises, and is now its CEO. He is also a sake sommelier.

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Saori Moriyama, CEO of Sakematch
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Born in Saitama Prefecture. Studied linguistics at Peking University in China. After working at a travel agency in Tokyo, he became the acting representative of the calligraphy group "Bokushinsha", run by his father, calligrapher Masanao Iwata. He is also a sake sommelier.

I spoke to this person

Mr. Kazuki Aburanokoji, Deputy Chief Priest of Butsugenji Temple
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He is the eldest son of the 14th generation head of the Jodo Shinshu Honganji-ha Butsugenji temple. He studied at the Christian Doshisha University from junior high school to university, and worked as a banker for three years. He then became interested in Buddhism and completed his studies at the Ryukoku University Graduate School of Practical Shinshu Studies. He is currently working on the "Tomarigi" project with Gns Co., Ltd., whose representative is a childhood friend.

"Sake Match" where you can learn about sake

-What kind of event is "Sake Match"?

Shinozuka"We invite brewers to our events, and also offer themed events such as the 'Spring Sake Party' or the 'Omachi Party'. We also always have a lecture session, which is a distinctive feature of ours. Before the drinks, we use a projector for about 30 minutes and have the brewers talk about the history and their thoughts on sake brewing, as well as the sake they will be serving and their future endeavors."

Moriyama"The reason why the Sake Match logo is a Shippo mark is because it is a pattern that symbolizes connections. Connections between the participants, connections with us, connections with the brewers, connections with sake. I want this event to be a place that connects all of these connections. Whenever we take a group photo, we ask the participants to make an S with both hands and say 'Sake Match!' It's a bit embarrassing for them, but it helps them naturally open up to each other."

"Tera no Mi" - Enjoy Japanese sake at a temple

- Starting in 2022, Butsugenji Temple has been hosting various events under the "Tomarigi" project, opening up the temple to the public. Why did you start the "Tera-no-mi" sake gathering?

Aburanokoji"I thought that to convey the excitement and fun of it all, I had to choose something that I really liked. And that was sake. It has a deep historical connection, as sake was once brewed at temples. Also, in our Jodo Shinshu Honganji sect, we have long offered sake to people who came to pray at temples, and we also have a tradition of enjoying a meal and sake together after a memorial service, called otoki."

-What kind of event is it?

Aburanokoji"Each time we set a theme and compare about 15 different types of sake. However, it's not just about lining up the sake, it's important that the participants feel that there is something good about it. In between we hold a 30-minute break for sutra chanting and a sermon, during which time everyone concentrates and listens without drinking. I hope that through Buddhism, sutras, my talk, and sake, everyone will take home something that will stay in their heart."

We want people to know about this place through this event.

-Sake Match is held in a townhouse that is a registered tangible cultural property, and Teranomi is held in a temple, so both are unusual locations. Is there anything that you feel is unique to these locations?

Shinozuka"The venue, the Former Ban Family Residence, is a fascinating building that gives you a sense of the history of the Omi merchants; it's a wonderful place. However, it was originally used as a hotel lounge, and only guests were allowed in. The Ban City Project* was started to utilize this space as a venue for cultural activities for local residents and tourists, but one of the management members knew someone who told them they wanted to promote Japanese culture and sake, and that's how we decided to start up the Sake Match group. The Former Ban Family Residence is a tangible cultural property of Kyoto City, but it's unfortunate that it's not well known even among local people. We hope to raise awareness of it more widely through this sake event and other events."

*Ban City Project: A public interest project conducted jointly by a citizen group and Candeo Hotels to utilize the Former Ban Family Residence, a tangible cultural property registered by Kyoto City, as a place to disseminate culture and art.

Aburanokoji"I believe that a temple should be a place where all kinds of people can casually visit, as if it were a resting place for their lives. Up until now, temples have been supported by their followers, but I have always felt that it is not the way it should be to be a closed space just because of that. I want more people to know about temples through my favorite sake. That is why I started "Tera Nomi". I believe that a place grows by being stepped on by many people. The atmosphere and ambience of this space grows as the people who come to this temple step on this place. A virtuous cycle is created when this temple grows as a place that connects people. I believe that this is the significance of holding events at the temple."

"Sake" has the warmth to connect people

-Do you have a favorite sake?

Aburanokoji"At Teranomi, I serve sake that I like based on my own personal opinions, but I especially can't live without Furousen from Shiga Prefecture. Most of the sake served at our parties is pure rice unpasteurized sake. The taste of unpasteurized sake changes the moment you take it out of the refrigerator and open it, and I think that this is an example of the impermanence of all things (laughs). Just as human cells are constantly being replaced and our hearts are constantly changing, the taste of sake also changes depending on the temperature and humidity. These changes are truly impermanent. I hope that with a sake in hand, people can reflect on the changes in life."

Aburanokoji"At each of these gatherings, it wasn't just about drinking; there was a warmth to the way sake connected people."

Moriyama"That's right, sake has a relaxing feeling to it. You can enjoy a leisurely time with it."

Aburanokoji"At Teranomi, we also talk about the background of sake and the differences in how it is made. We also talk about why the taste is so different even when the same rice is used, and the ingenuity that each brewery uses. We sometimes even connect words from Buddhist sutras to stories related to sake. We don't just end it by saying it was fun, but we hope to develop deeper connections and foster relationships that will lead to continued exchange afterwards."

Moriyama"It's great to have a system like this that makes the breweries, us the organizers, and the customers who participate happy. It's a win-win situation."

Meetings create connections between people

- So you all attend each other's meetings and have interactions with each other?

Aburanokoji"At Sake Match, the brewers come and first learn about the history and culture of sake, and then they get to experience sake with their bodies. It's always fun. There are a lot of interesting people who come, and I love the encounters I get to make there. Also, Saori's MC skills are amazing (laughs)."

Moriyama"I'm in charge of taking care of the guests even at the temple. I tell them not to drink too much and to drink water. Otherwise the old men will fall over on the floor (laughs)."

Aburanokoji"Really, thanks to that, no one makes any mistakes."

Shinozuka"It was more than I imagined that the Tomarigi project, and not just Tera-Nimi, would open up temples to this extent. Until then, temples were something that existed quietly and were difficult to enter. But they have gradually become known by local residents, government officials, and major companies, and have even attracted attention nationwide, which I think is amazing. This is all down to Aburanokoji's personality. Drinking at a temple has a different atmosphere, and is a special experience that you can't get at an izakaya. The connections that are made there make it a great event."

Moriyama"First-time participants are often nervous at first and say things like, 'I'm too early,' but as the meeting progresses they naturally open up and relax."

Shinozuka"It felt special to sit on the tatami mats and talk in the space of a temple. It made me realize that it was okay to talk so much with a monk."

Moriyama"I wonder if it's okay to talk to you normally."

Shinozuka"Like a monk pouring the drinks (laughs)."

At "Tera-no-mi" you can also listen to Aburakoji's sutras and sermons.

- Actually, our company "Sake World" is also involved in the business of sub-zero aging and blending of sake. Do you enjoy aging and blending sake?

Moriyama"At home, I mix different kinds of sake together, or I blend plum wine with sake made in the same brewery. It's interesting to try it out and come up with some surprisingly tasty combinations."

Shinozuka"I do this a lot too. If I try it once and think, 'This is a bit too sour,' I'll mix it with a different sake, or let it sit for a while and then try again, and it might actually be good. I have a bottle of sake called Shingame from the 50s, but I don't know when the best time to open it is. So I just let it sit."

Aburanokoji"It takes a lot of courage to open it (laughs). My favorite Liquor Shop Okayama has a section for alcohol that the owner has aged himself, and I sometimes buy alcohol that has been aged for 8 or 10 years. Even at the bar, they sometimes sell the same brand but with a difference of one year. For example, the blue label sake "Hyakuiwa" that I tried last year seemed a bit pale, but after a year it got quite good and it felt like it had aged just right. I can't really explain it, but I imagined it as if it was made by a cool older person."

"Tera-nomi" also produces its own unique aged sake.

- Finally, please tell us what you would like to challenge yourself with in the future or what you would like to say.

Shinozuka"There are two things I want to do. I want to broaden the base of people who like sake. I'm sure there are many people who have never tried sake before who find it delicious if they try it properly. I want to increase the number of people like that. The other thing is that I want to take people who like sake a step further and teach them things like, "If you use this rice or make it in this way, it will taste like this," and I think that by learning, the enjoyment of sake will expand beyond that, so I want to create a place where they can casually learn and expand the ways in which they can enjoy sake."

Aburanokoji"I'd like to broaden my connections even further. I'd like to expand my ties with local liquor stores and restaurants, and implement measures that will bring sake, breweries, and people closer together. Through Teranomi, I'd like people to think that Buddhism is great, that temples are great, and that sake is great. You naturally grow to like places that are full of 'great things'. I think that this is the basis of urban development. I hope you'll come and experience it for yourself."

-Thank you everyone for today!

●Sake Match
Located inside the Candeo Hotel (former Tomo family residence), Rokkaku-dori Karasuma Nishiiru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Every Saturday at 2 on Saturday
Lunch: 13:00-15:00 / Dinner: 17:00-19:00
Participation fee X NUM X yen
https://sake-match.com/(Application required)

Terra only
Butsugenji Temple 316 Rokkaku Abura-no-koji-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
https://butsugenji-kyoto.com/
Every Saturday at 4 on Saturday
14:00〜18:00、夏季(6〜10月)は16:00〜20:00
Tasting (all you can drink) 2500 yen, 4-kind tasting set 1,500 yen, 1 glass 400 yen
In addition to about 15 types of sake, there will also be craft beer (Woodmill Brewery), ramune, apple juice, and more, so families can join in the fun.
[ELOVE] Assortment of 3 kinds of snacks 1,000 yen, [Kyoto Tsukemono Mori] Pickle tasting 300 yen


Writer/Sake Master Eriko Fujita
Expand your world to a sake specialty store in Osaka and encounter a variety of sake and sake breweries. Favorite sakes are Akishika, Ohgi, and others.
Other than drinking, my hobbies include collecting minerals and raising swallowtail butterflies.

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