Sake is one of the most popular drinks in Japan. Different rice and water are used in each region, resulting in sake with different flavors depending on the region.
The heavy snowfall is also a factor in making good sake.
Let's take a look at three breweries in the Myoko area of Niigata Prefecture that have a deep connection with snow and sake brewing.
Where is Myoko City?
Myoko City is located in the south of Niigata Prefecture. It contains one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Japan and is designated as a special heavy snowfall zone under Act on Special Measures concerning Countermeasures for Heavy Snowfall Areas.
One area of Myoko City that is well known even overseas is the Myoko Kogen, which spreads out at the foot of Mt.Myoko, one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains. It is a place where many skiers and snowboarders gather for powder snow.
It is also a popular hiking spot. Myoko Kogen is also a famous hot spring resort, where visitors can enjoy a variety of hot springs and a rural Japanese atmosphere.
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7 Great Myoko Ski Resorts in Niigata, Japan
There are a number of areas where skiers/snowboarders can enjoy skiing in Japan. Myoko area in Niigata Prefecture is one that they should keep in mind if they are skiing in Japan. Where is Myoko? Myoko City is located in Niigata Prefecture, and "Myoko Kogen", which stretches along the slopes of Mount Myoko, one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains, is known as one of the heaviest snowfall areas. The city has good transportation links and is easily accessible from Tokyo, and is relatively close to Nozawa Onsen and Shiga Kogen, which are also famous for ski resorts. In Niigata ...
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Now, skiers and snowboarders rejoice at the abundant amounts of snow, but it is not only in winter that they are blessed. This snow melts in the spring and is used as melt water. In spring, this snow melts and is used as meltwater, an indispensable resource in the production of Myoko's delicious rice.
The pure snowmelt water and the rice grown in this water are used to make delicious sake.
3 Sake brewery in Myoko City
Let's take a look at three breweries in the Myoko area of Niigata Prefecture.
Kiminoi Shuzo (君の井酒造)
Kiminoi Shuzo is said to have been founded in 1842. (Due to repeated fires, many of the records were lost. A number of records were lost due to repeated fires, but the brewing license that remains at the brewery gives the year as 1842.
Kiminoi Sake Brewery uses a traditional technique called "Yamahai-shikomi" to create a unique flavor.
Yamahai shikomi is one of the production methods that takes time to ferment with natural lactic acid bacteria rather than artificial ones.
Rather than adding commercially available lactic acid bacteria, natural one are used to increase the yeast and create a high-quality yeast starter (the base of the sake) in order to pursue a unique sake flavor.
More information : http://www.kiminoi.com/en/
Tour : http://www.kiminoi.com/en/kurakengaku.asp
Ayumasamune Shuzo (鮎正宗酒造)
The company was founded in 1875. Its representative brand is "Ayu Masamune".
The name "Ayu / 鮎" in Ayu Masamune refers to the river fish "Ayu (sweetfish)". It is said that the name "Ayu Masamune" was given by the royal family when they stayed in the resort town of Akakura, Myoko, and fished for ayu in a clear stream nearby.
Ayu is also called "Kogyo / 香魚" because it is a fish that lives in clean rivers and has a good appearance and a pleasant smell. (香=pleasant smell / 魚 = fish) It is said that this sake was named for its fragrance and taste, which are appropriate for its elegant name.
Ayumasamune Shuzo uses subterranean water that comes up naturally from deep underground, originating from Mt.Myoko.
Ayumasamune Shuzo also has many products that are popular among sake beginners and women. One of them is Sweet Fish, which was released in 2015.
The Ayumasamune Shuzo is a historic building with a roof made of thatch, which is rare nowadays.
Website (only Japanese) : https://www.ayumasamune.com/
Tour : https://ayumasamune.com/kura/
Chiyonohikari Shuzo (千代の光酒造)
Established in 1860. The brewery uses abundant snow melt water from the heavy snowfall of Mt.Kenashi.
Chiyo no Hikari Sake Brewery also attempts to grow its own rice. The farm work is done by employees, from planting to harvesting, drying, and grinding. You can see how they do it on their website.
Website (Only Japanese) : http://www.chiyonohikari.com/
Tour : http://www.chiyonohikari.com/blankpage6.html
