Fukui offers a wide variety of sake, nurtured by the rich bounty of nature. Many brands are highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad and have captivated sake fans. In this issue, we will introduce the reasons why Fukui's sake is so delicious and introduce some representative brands, as well as restaurants where you can taste local sake and souvenir stores where you can buy it.
Why Fukui's Sake is Delicious
Let us first look at why Fukui produces delicious sake. Fukui's rich natural environment provides the essential elements for sake brewing.
A rice-producing region and sake rice production is also flourishing.
One of the reasons why sake from Fukui is so delicious is that the region is a major rice-growing region. In many cases, the rice-growing areas in Japan are not only good for eating rice, but also for sake, making Fukui both a rice and a sake production center.
Fukui is a rice-producing region that gave birth to Koshihikari rice and many varieties of sake rice. The Agricultural Experiment Station is also developing new varieties of sake rice.
Delicious water in abundance
The quality of water has a significant impact on the quality of sake, as water is used not only in sake production but also in the cultivation of rice used to make sake.
Water is used at multiple stages in the sake brewing process, including when washing sake rice and adding water to the raw sake. Water permeates the sake rice and also becomes sake itself as brewing water.
Fukui is a place so rich in nature that it is called "Echiyama Wakamizu," from the lush green mountains of Echizen and the clear water of its youth. This pure water is the source of the delicious taste of Fukui's sake.
Typical Sake Brands in Fukui
Fukui has many nationally known and popular sake brands. Here we introduce some of the most representative sake brands from Fukui.
black dragon
This sake is produced by the Kuroryu Sake Brewery, which has been in existence in Eiheiji-cho since the Edo period. It is characterized by being soft, fruity, and easy to drink. Because it is light and has no peculiarities, it is well known as an easy drink for sake lovers and sake beginners alike.
The Kuroryu brand includes a variety of brands, including several limited-edition and high-end products, which are also known as "fantastic sake. Kutouryuu, a sister brand of Kuroryu, is also popular and more affordable than Kuroryu.
Brahma
This sake is made at Kato Kichihei Shoten in Sabae City. The word "Bon" is derived from the Sanskrit word for truth and from the English word "Born" meaning creation.
Brahma, with its extraordinary attention to raw materials and brewing, is a highly regarded brand both domestically and internationally. It is often chosen as the sake of choice for prestigious events in Japan, and has won many awards overseas as well.
The palate is characterized by a rounded, soft mouthfeel that is fruity and refreshing. It will match a wide range of dishes.
flathead (Platycephalus sp.)
This sake is made at the Miyake Hikoemon Sake Brewery, a long-established sake brewery founded in the Edo period, located in Mihama Town. The brewery is located near the sea, and this brand has long been popular among fishermen. It is characterized by its sharp taste and refined, full-bodied flavor, and is especially appreciated by those who like dry sake.
Well water from the brewery is used as brewing water, and the strong fermentation power of this well water gives the brand an impactful umami flavor.
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Torihama Junmai Ginjo
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Torihama Sake Brewery
This sake is made at the Torihama Sake Brewery, a registered tangible cultural property located in Wakasa Town near the Mikata Five Lakes. It is known for its sweet sake, which is rare in Fukui Prefecture. The area around Mikata Goko (Five Lakes of Mikata) is known for its richly seasoned river fish, such as carp and crucian carp, which have a strong smell.
Torihama Junmai Ginjo is characterized by a light thirst and a crisp finish. Its elegant sweetness enhances the quality of the ingredients and is popular among women and sake beginners for its "easy-drinking" characteristics.
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Junmai Ginjo Wakasa
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Obama Sake Brewery
Wakasa, produced at Obama Shuzo, a sake brewery in Obama City, is a sake made with the idea of "never letting local sake die out. Among them, Junmai Ginjo Wakasa uses yeast developed by a research institute in Fukui Prefecture, Yamadanishiki sake rice produced in Obama City, and subsoil water from the Minamigawa River that flows in front of the brewery. It is truly an all-Fukui local sake.
The aroma is reminiscent of fruit, and the mouthfeel is soft, soft, and smooth with a slight sweetness. It also has a refreshing acidity, making it a perfect match not only for sake, but also for Western cuisine. It was awarded the Platinum Prize in the Junmai Ginjo category at the Luxembourg Sake Challenge 2022.
A place where you can taste Fukui's sake
Fukui sake is also served at restaurants in Fukui Prefecture. Here are some recommended restaurants where you can taste delicious gourmet food and Fukui sake together. Enjoy the marriage of Fukui's seafood and agricultural products.
Dining Shioso Tsuruga Ekimae Store" where you can savor local sake in a private room at your leisure.
Dining Shioso Tsuruga Ekimae Course Menu
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Dining Shioso Tsuruga Ekimae
Izakaya is conveniently located right next to Tsuruga Station. The restaurant is a private room except for the counter seats, where you can enjoy your meal and drinks in a relaxed atmosphere. The menu features a wide variety of dishes centering on fresh fish that are purchased from the market every day. The drink menu is also extensive and includes Fukui's local sake such as Kuroryu, Bon, and Hayaseura.
Address |
5-10 Shiraiginmachi, Tsuruga City, Fukui 914-0054, Japan |
Business hours |
Weekday night 17:30-22:45 (L.O food 22:00, drink 22:15) |
Closed |
Monday *Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Dining Shiso Tsuruga Ekimae |
Shunsai Dining Taku" offers the best of seasonal ingredients
Sake and cuisine available at Shunsai Dining Taku
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Shunsai Dining Taku
This izakaya serves fresh fish and seasonal vegetables purchased that day, with dishes that make the most of the ingredients. In addition to the assortment of sashimi, the restaurant also offers a variety of unique dishes such as cheese dashimaki and shrimp dashimaki, which are also popular. A wide variety of sake, including Fukui's locally brewed sake, and other popular brands from around the country are also available.
Address |
3-2-11, Kumomuna, Tsuruga City, Fukui 919-2215, Japan |
Telephone number |
0770-24-3288 |
Business hours |
17:30-23:00 (L.O. 22:00 for meals and 22:30 for drinks) |
Closed |
No regular holidays |
Reference site |
Shunsai Dining Taku |
Izakaya Tsuki", a place of relaxation and recreation that is well-loved by the community
It is a popular izakaya in the area with a wide variety of izakaya menus featuring fresh seafood and locally grown vegetables. It is also easily accessible, being only a 5-minute walk from the nearest "Wakasa Hongo" station. The fresh sashimi is especially delicious. There is a wide variety of sake available, with a large lineup of Fukui's locally brewed sake such as Kuroryu, Kuzuryu, and Bon.
Address |
159-4-1 Hongo, Ooi-machi, Oi-gun, Fukui 919-2111 |
Phone number |
0770-77-4115 |
Business hours |
18:00 - 0:00 (L.O. 23:00) [Take-out service is available from 15:00 on the day before to 15:00 on the day of purchase. [Takeout pickup] 18:00 |
Closed |
Sunday Please confirm details in advance. |
A marriage of creative cuisine and local sake at Sake-naya Dondo
Sake and cuisine available at Sakeya Dondoro
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Goshoku Shokoku Shokubutsu Ryoko (Food Travel Site)
This restaurant offers creative cuisine using plenty of fresh local fish and vegetables. It is popular not only among locals but also among tourists. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes such as sashimi, grilled, deep-fried, and nabe (hot pot). Drinks are also plentiful, and the sake menu features Fukui's local sake such as Wakasa, Hayaseura, and Kuzuryu.
Address |
37 Shirahige, Obama City, Fukui 917-0069, Japan |
Telephone number |
0770-53-0140 |
Business hours |
17:00 - 24:00 |
Closed |
Sunday Please confirm details in advance. |
Stores where you can buy Japanese Sake in Fukui
Selecting local sake as a souvenir of your trip to Fukui is also recommended. Lastly, we will introduce stores where you can buy Fukui's sake. We have picked up spots where you can enjoy selecting souvenirs, including sake stores and breweries that carry a wide range of local sake.
Hamase Sake Shop Obama" featuring Fukui's local sake
A variety of alcoholic beverages on display in the Hamase Brewery
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Hamase Sake Shop Obama
It is a long-established sake store founded in the Taisho era. It sells a wide range of sake, with a considerable variety of Fukui brands among them. You can also enjoy the pleasure of choosing from a variety of sake breweries.
Address |
20-7-10 Ikumori, Obama City, Fukui 917-0027 |
Telephone number |
0770-56-0158 |
Business hours |
10:00-17:30 |
Closed |
Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays *Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Hamase Sake Shop Obama |
Okui Kaisyodo" with the taste of Eiheiji's official food
Exterior view of the main store in Kagura, Okui Kaisyudo
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Okui Kaiseido
It is a kelp merchant established in the Meiji era (1868-1912) and is also the purveyor of kelp to the Daihonzan Eiheiji Temple. They offer set products of kelp and various local sake from Fukui. Sake can also be purchased separately. Sales outlets in Fukui Prefecture are the main Kagura store in Tsuruga City and the OTA store in front of Tsuruga Station.
Address |
1-4-10, Kagura-cho, Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture 914-0063, Japan |
Telephone number |
0770-22-0385 |
Business hours |
9:00-18:00 (until 17:00 on Sundays and holidays) |
Closed |
Tuesdays *Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Okui Kaisyodo |
Address |
1-5-32 Kannawa-cho, Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture 914-0055 |
Telephone number |
0770-47-5115 |
Business hours |
9:00-18:00 |
Closed |
No regular holidays Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Okui Kaisyodo |
Miyake Hikoemon Shuzo, a popular brewery well known in Hayaseura
It is a long-established sake brewery known for its Hayaseura. It is a nationally famous brewery and attracts many sake fans. There is a possibility to encounter rare brands that are not easily seen. Sake can be purchased at the brewery.
Address |
21-7 Hayase, Mihama-cho, Mikata-gun, Fukui 919-1124 |
Telephone number |
0770-32-0303 |
Business hours |
Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Regular holiday |
Closed Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Fukui Sake Brewers Association https://www.fukuisake.jp/ |
A prosperous future created by sweet sake "Torihama Sake Brewery
Representative lineup of Torihama Sake Brewery
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Torihama Sake Brewery
It is a sake brewery founded in Taisho era, located in Wakasa Town. Its brands include "Torihama," "Kamoei," and "Wakasa Boast. The distinctive feature of their sake is that they focus on making sake with a sharp, sweet taste. The brewery aims to produce sake that is pleasant to drink, energizing and happy, and contributes to an affluent lifestyle. A tour of the brewery is available (reservation required).
Address |
59-30, Torihama, Wakasa-cho, Mikata-Kaminaka-gun, Fukui 919-1331 |
Telephone number |
0770-45-0021 |
Business hours |
10:00-16:00 |
Closed |
Closed on Saturdays and Sundays Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Torihama Sake Brewery |
Up-and-coming fresh brewery "Kohama Sake Brewery
Pentagram, the representative brand of Obama Shuzo
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Obama Sake Brewery
We are a young sake brewery newly established in 2016 with the succession of our business. Although compact in size, the brewery carefully crafts sake using the experience, wisdom, and teamwork of its toji (master brewer). Representative brands include "Wakasa" and "Pentagram. It has also won awards at overseas sake competitions.
Address |
18-34 Nakai, Obama City, Fukui 917-0036, Japan (main brewery) |
Telephone number |
0770-64-5473 |
Business hours |
-Fixed |
Closed |
-Closed Please confirm details in advance. |
Reference site |
Obama Sake Brewery |
Fukui's sake is a masterpiece! Enjoy it locally or as a souvenir!
Fukui's sake is full of the specialties of each sake brewery. Why not taste local sake at an authentic sake brewery while experiencing the climate of Fukui, which produces many famous sake products? If you buy some local sake as a souvenir, you can enjoy it at home while reminiscing about your trip, or give it as a gift to someone close to you to make them happy.
Selected as the nation's first "Premium" Japanese Heritage Site! Enjoy a variety of cultures
In July 2024, Obama City and Wakasa Town, centered on the Saba Road, were selected by the Agency for Cultural Affairs as the first Japanese Heritage site in Japan to be designated as a Special Priority Support Area (Japanese Heritage Premium).
Blessed with a rich harvest from the sea and mountains, Wakasa has supported the food culture of the Imperial Court since ancient times, and for more than 1,500 years, the road that brought seafood from Wakasa to Kyoto has been known as the "Saba Kaido," or mackerel road, and has a history of various cultural comings and goings. Along the Saba Kaido, which connects Wakasa and Kyoto, there are Kumagawa-juku, shrines, temples, buildings, festivals, and other cultural assets, so be sure to take the time to visit Tsuruga and Wakasa.
The information is current as of October 2024. Information is subject to change without notice.