Sake is one of the most popular drinks in Japan. Different rice and water are used in different regions, resulting in sake with different flavors depending on regions.
The relationship with the snow country culture can also be seen in the background of sake.
For example, some sake breweries make good use of the heavy snowfall in their brewing process, such as using melt water and Yukimuro (a insulted room that store massive amount of snow to mature and chill sake).
Rice, an important ingredient in sake brewing, also grows well thanks to the melt water from the snow that accumulates in the winter and melts in the spring. Therefore, some sake breweries benefit indirectly from the snow.
Even if snow is not directly involved in sake brewing, some breweries name their sake after snow-related words. Whether directly or indirectly, snow has an impact on sake culture.
Let's take a look at some of the breweries in Toyama area, Toyama prefecture, Japan.
Where is Toyama area?
Toyama City occupies an area from the center of Toyama Prefecture to the southeast, with Toyama Bay, which produces abundant seafood to the north and the Tateyama Mountain Range to the east. It is a wonderful area for both seafood and mountain scenery. In the Warring States period (1467-1568), many castles were built on the tributaries of the rivers, which were used for communication, trade and transportation.
How much snow does it get in Toyama City?
Toyama City is basically designated as a heavy snowfall area, with some areas designated as special heavy snowfall areas. It snows a lot, especially in the vicinity of Tateyama. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a famous mountain tourist route connecting Toyama and Nagano, and is famous for its huge snow walls in winter.
Learn more about snowfall areas below:
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Japan and Unique Snow Culture - One of the Major Snowest Place in the World
Japan is one of the major snowiest place in the world. In order to survive in this snowy region, various wisdoms have been developed to coexist with the snow since ancient times, and a very unique snow country culture has been formed today. How much does it snow in Japan? Data from JICE shows that compared to the snowfall of cities around the world, Japan has many cities that receive more snowfall. The graph below shows the total depth of snowfall in one year, with Asahikawa City in Hokkaido, Aomori City in Aomori Prefecture, and the Takada district of Joetsu ...
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Sake breweries in Toyama City
Here are some of the sake breweries in Toyama City.
Masuda Shuzoten (桝田酒造店)
Founded in 1893. Its representative brand is Manjusen.
URL: http://www.masuizumi.co.jp/upbringing_en.html TEL: 076-437-9916
Tomibigiku Shuzo (富美菊酒造)
Established in 1916. The company uses water from the Joganji River system, which originates from the Tateyama Mountain Range for brewing water. The company also uses only rice produced in Toyama Prefecture, such as Gohyakumangoku and Etchu Yamadanishiki.
URL: http://www.fumigiku.co.jp TEL: 076-441-9594
Yoshinotomo Shuzo (吉乃友酒造)
Established in 1877. The company uses subsoil water from the Tateyama mountain range as brewing water. The name "Yoshinotomo(吉乃友)" comes from the "Yoshi(吉)" of the Yoshida family(吉田家), the brewer, and "Tomo(友)" means a friend with whom one drinks sake.
URL : http://yoshinotomo.jp/
TEL : 076-466-2308
Fukutsuru Shuzo (福鶴酒造)
Established in 1848. It is located in Yatsuo-machi, a town that is well known in Japan for "the Owara Kaze no Bon Festival" held every year from September 1 - 3.
URL : https://www.kazenobon.co.jp/
TEL : 076-455-2727
Tamaasahi Shuzo (玉旭酒造)
Founded in 1808. The company uses soft water from the Joganji River system for brewing water. The company also makes sake using natural alpine flower yeast for the first time in Toyama Prefecture and yeast collected from the pollen of the Toyama prefecture flower tulip. The sake has a unique aroma and has become popular for its sweet taste that can be enjoyed like wine.
For those who wish to visit the brewery, the website says that reservations are required.
URL : http://www.tamaasahi.jp/ Store information and tours: http://www.tamaasahi.jp/info.html TEL : 076-455-1331
