Kyoto Fushimi Sake Brewery Tour

Fushimi, located south of Kyoto, has long been blessed with high-quality groundwater and is known as a major sake brewing region. Using the pure water of Fushimi, numerous breweries have produced famous sakes. This time, we will guide you on a journey to explore the profound world of sake by visiting Gekkeikan and Kizakura, two of the most famous breweries in the area.

Gekkeikan: Where Tradition Breathes

First, we recommend visiting Gekkeikan, a brewery with a history of over 380 years. At the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, you can learn about the history of sake brewing, traditional tools, and processes. Inside the museum, you can sample "Fushimizu," Fushimi's famous water, and truly understand how important its deliciousness is in shaping the taste of sake. At the end of the tour, you can enjoy tasting several types of sake. Be sure to try the different aromas and flavors each sake possesses. Limited edition items, available only here, are also recommended as souvenirs.

The Unique World of Kizakura

Next, you'll want to extend your visit to Kizakura, known for its unique branding. At Kizakura Kappa Country, in addition to the brewery tour, there are also restaurants and shops where you can enjoy sake and local beer with your meal. Here, you'll have the opportunity to taste traditional sake, as well as fruity ginjo-shu and sake with various flavors. Once you find your favorite, it's fun to choose while imagining its compatibility with Japanese cuisine. Sake is the perfect partner to enhance the delicate flavors of Japanese dishes like sashimi and nimono (simmered dishes).

Through sake tasting, experiencing its diverse charms is the first step towards a deeper understanding of Japanese food culture. At an izakaya, you can also experience the culture of "oshaku," where people pour sake for each other. A sake brewery tour in Fushimi will be a rich journey, not just for drinking, but also for enjoying history, culture, and interactions with people.

Source: https://www.japan-guide.com/