[Trivia] What is “hanamizake”? Enjoy sake while admiring cherry blossoms
Cherry blossom season is almost here. Sake master Eriko Fujita will explain trivia that will make cherry blossom viewing more enjoyable, such as the roots of the word "hanami sake" and sake associated with cherry blossoms.

Cherry blossom season is almost here. We've gathered some trivia to help you enjoy cherry blossom viewing, such as the origins of the word Hanamizake and sake related to cherry blossoms.
INDEX
The word “hanamizake” originates from rakugo.
Even if you're not trying to twist a haiku poem, it's fun to flip through a book of seasonal words.
The cherry blossom viewing season will soon arrive, and the seasonal word that comes to mind for sake fans is ``hanami sake.'' Although the word is now familiar, it is said to have originated from the classic rakugo performance ``Hanami Sake.''
Cherry blossom viewing in Daigo is the beginning of cherry blossom viewing sake
The style of cherry blossom viewing, where you drink alcohol and have a party while admiring the cherry blossoms, is said to have started with the ``Daigo Cherry Blossom Viewing'' held by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 3. We gathered 1598 cherry trees at Daigoji Temple in Fushimi, Kyoto, and served famous sake from all over the country to 700 invited guests. Most of the guests were women, so you can imagine what a glamorous gathering it was.
Spring sake suitable for cherry blossom viewing
Not sure what kind of alcohol to choose for cherry blossom viewing? If so, ``Spring Sake'' is perfect for you. It is a spring-limited sake that is released from February to April, and is often fresh and light with a slight sparkle. It has a light, cloudy taste, and the label design features cherry blossoms and a light pink color, making it perfect for spring! Especially women and people who aren't used to drinking sake will definitely be happy.
We also recommend sake brewed with cherry blossom yeast.
Or how about some sake made with a slightly different kind of cherry blossom yeast? Yeast is essential for the fermentation of alcoholic beverages, and an increasing number of sake breweries are using flower yeast isolated from flowers in nature. There are over 10 types of flower yeast, including dianthus, begonia, and sunflower, and cherry blossoms are one of them. Although it doesn't smell like flowers, the name of the alcoholic beverage and the label design are inspired by cherry blossoms, making it a gorgeous cherry blossom viewing experience.
Summary
Cherry blossom viewing, where you gather with friends or groups to enjoy drinks and food while looking at the cherry blossoms in full bloom, is a uniquely Japanese culture that cannot be found in other countries. This is a wonderful custom of Japanese people who are happy with the arrival of spring.
However, be careful not to drink too much alcohol just because it's fun. Enjoy cherry blossom viewing while observing good manners!
Writer Eriko Fujita
Sake master. Expand your world to a sake specialty store in Osaka and encounter a variety of sake and sake breweries. Favorite Japanese sake is Akishika, Wangi, etc.
Other than drinking, my hobbies include collecting minerals and raising swallowtail butterflies.
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https://sakeworld.jp/trivia/
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