Tsuruga/Wakasa Gourmet Column

Guide to Delicious Japanese Sake in Fukui│Introducing stores where you can enjoy local sake and souvenir stores

とっくりから日本酒を注ぐ様子
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

グラスや升に注いだ日本酒と米
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

升になみなみと日本酒を注ぐ
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.

one of the six administrators of a Zen temple who substitutes for the chief priest

鳥浜純米吟醸

Torihama Junmai Ginjo

Citation meta. 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.

youth

純米吟醸わかさ

Junmai Ginjo Wakasa

Citation meta. 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.

ダイニングしおそう敦賀駅前店のコースメニュー

Dining Shioso Tsuruga Ekimae Course Menu

Citation meta. 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

旬彩ダイニング拓で揃えている日本酒と料理

Sake and cuisine available at Shunsai Dining Taku

Citation meta. 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

居酒屋 月の新鮮な刺盛り

Izakaya Moon Fresh Sashimi

Citation meta. Goshoku Shokoku Shokubutsu Ryoko (Food Travel Site)

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

酒菜屋どんどで揃えている日本酒と料理

Sake and cuisine available at Sakeya Dondoro

Citation meta. 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

ハマセ酒店の店内に陳列されたお酒の数々

A variety of alcoholic beverages on display in the Hamase Brewery

Citation meta. 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

奥井海生堂 神楽本店の外観

Exterior view of the main store in Kagura, Okui Kaisyudo

Citation meta. 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.
<Kagura Main Store>.
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
<otta store
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

鳥浜酒造の代表的なラインナップ

Representative lineup of Torihama Sake Brewery

Citation meta. 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

小浜酒造の代表銘柄である五芒星

Pentagram, the representative brand of Obama Shuzo

Citation meta. 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!

美しいとっくりに入った日本酒と豪華な料理
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.