Come And Enjoy Amazing Sake At Saijo, The “Sake Town” In Hiroshima

content: Come and learn about Japanese Sake, experience the Saijo Sake Festival and try some amazing Sake. Everything you need to know about this amazing “Sake Town” in Hiroshima.

Summary

Come and learn about Japanese Sake, experience the Saijo Sake Festival and try some amazing Sake. Everything you need to know about Saijo the amazing “Sake Town” in Hiroshima can be found here in this article. If you ever wanted to learn more about Sake to impress your friends when you next go to your local Japanese restaurant this is the perfect chance!

What Is Japanese Sake?

Inseparable Relationship Of Sake And Japanese Culture

sake_hiroshima via unsplash.comThe word Sake in Japanese actually refers to all alcohol; what is called Sake outside of Japan is called “Nihon-shu” or Japanese Sake in Japanese. Sake is often called “Rice Wine” and this is partly true, because it is made from rice and because it drinks a lot like a wine. It is usually around 15% alcohol and is best paired with food. However, it is so much more than that, Sake is a part of Japanese history and culture and played an important role in religious ceremonies for hundreds of years.

Deep And Mesmerizing World Of Sake

sake_hiroshima via www.photo-ac.comJust like wines a Sake can be sweet, dry, full bodied or light and refreshing, there are also many different grades and levels of Sake based on the Rice Polishing Rate. The smaller the rice grain is “polished” or “milled” before using it determines the grade of the Sake, from Junmai to JunmaiGinjo or JunmaiDaiginjo. Of course, using more rice for the higher grades of Sake like Daiginjo means there is more cost involved, however you can really taste the difference with fruity flavors and rich flowery aromas. All of this from just fermented rice and water!

Top 3 Local Sake Of Hiroshima To Try

However, where should one start their Sake journey? Worry not, here are 3 of the most popular Sake producers in Hiroshima and their signature products. Make sure you try their amazing Sake when visiting Hiroshima!

1. Kamotsuru (賀茂鶴)

Kamotsuru Junmai Ginjo
Alcohol: 16 – 17 %
Kamotsuru is one of the biggest Sake producers in Hiroshima. Its Junmai Ginjo Sake holds a mellow and aromatic taste and can be enjoyed either cold or warm.

2. Hakubotan (白牡丹)

Hakubotan Daiginjo Genshu (Undiluted)
Alcohol: 17%
The rice in Hakubotan Daiginjo Genshu is polished down to 40% of it’s the original size, giving this Daiginjo Sake a highly fragrant and a fruity taste. “Genshu” means the Sake is undiluted, so in other words no water has been added so you can enjoy the full flavor of rice and the purest water.

3. Sempuku (千福)

Sempuku Tokusen Kuromatsu Honjozo
Alcohol: 15.5%
Established in 1856, Sempuku has a long, proud history of producing top quality Sake. This Honjozo Sake has a mild taste and is easy to drink, making it the perfect gift.

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Get Immersed In A Sake Paradise At The Saijo Sake Festival

What Is Saijo Sake Festival?

f you visit Hiroshima in October, you cannot miss Saijo Sake Festival! The Saijo Sake Festival started in 1990 as a cultural festival to promote local sake and related cultural performances and customs. It is held on the second weekend in October every year, attracting over 200,000 Sake lovers from all across Japan.

Tasting Of +1,000 Sake

The highlight of the Saijo Sake Festival is the Sake Hiroba where sake tasting is held. There are over 1,000 types of Sake to try from across the famous brewing region of Hiroshima and from the rest of Japan! Tickets to the Saijo Sake Festival cost 1,600 yen in advance or 2,100 yen on the day at the gate. This ticket includes 7 tokens for tasting, an ochoko (Sake cup), an exchange ticket for a water bottle and a list of Sakes. Would you try Hiroshima’s local sake? Or would you go for Sake from other areas of Japan? However you combine the 7 cups of Sake tasting, it is all up to your taste!

Various Entertainments For Everyone

The Sake Hiroba is not the only attraction at the Saijo Sake Festival though, the entire town is taken over by the Sake Festival and there are food stalls offering delicious local delicacies, parades and performances to keep everyone entertained. Many of the breweries will be open during the Sake Festival too so you can pop in for a visit and try some of their Sake or buy some as the perfect souvenir of your time in Japan. So while alcohol is very much at the center of this Festival, many families attend too.

Tips To Enjoy The Saijo Sake Festival

Moderation Is The Key

sake_hioshima via www.photo-ac.comWhile most Sake is usually around 15% alcohol, it often has a delicate, lighter taste, than wine or other types of alcohol so it can be easy to consume more than you think you have. Also, it is served in small Sake cups called “ochoko” which resemble a shot glass in size so often people just shoot their Sake. This is a waste of such beautifully crafted Sake, and also leads to consuming more alcohol than you would usually drink. So please be careful with how much you drink and drink plenty of water while you are at the festival.

Stay Hydrated!

sake_hiroshima via www.photo-ac.comA top tip is to carry a small water bottle with you and drink water from your “ochoko” in between each type of Sake. This will keep you hydrated and rinse out your cup between each Sake allowing you to enjoy every Sake to the utmost!

No Exception For Drunk Driving

sake_hiroshima via www.photo-ac.comUnlike some countries with a drink driving limit, Japan has ZERO tolerance for this so please make sure to use public transportation to attend the festival.

Information

Access to Saijo the “Sake Town” From Tokyo to Hiroshima By Airplane: It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Haneda Airport or Narita Airport in Tokyo to Hiroshima Airport. By Shinkansen: It takes about 4 hours from JR Tokyo Station to JR Hiroshima Station.

From JR Hiroshima Station
Take a JR Sanyo Honsen Line train bound for Shiraichi at JR Hiroshima Station and get off at Saijo Station (9 stops, 38 minutes).

Saijo Sake Festival
Date: The second weekend of October
Venue: Nigiwai Hiroba (Plaza in front of Saijo Station)
Address: 7 Saijōsakaemachi, Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture 739-0015
Tel: +81 82-420-0330
Admission: 1,600 yen (advanced ticket), 2,100 yen (at the gate)
Website: https://sakematsuri.com/

*The information above is at the time of writing. Please check the latest information when planning your trip.