What is a sake brewery? The difference from a sake brewery, its history, and 3 sake breweries you can visit.

What is Tsukurizakaya?

What kind of place is a sake brewery in the first place?
Here are some of the characteristics of a sake brewery and the difference between a “liquor store” and a “brewery.

Features of Zozakaya

Many of you may have heard of a “sake shop” or “sake brewery” but may not be familiar with the term “zozakaya.
So, what exactly is a “zozakaya”?
Here are five characteristics of a “ sake brewery.

Making the most of local water and rice The charm of sake is that you can enjoy the unique taste of the region’s water and rice, as well as the special feeling of encountering seasonal and rare sakes. The charm of sake is that you can enjoy unique flavors that take advantage of local water and rice.

Difference between a sake brewer and a liquor store

What is the difference between a “sake shop” or “sake brewery” and a “sake brewer” that we often hear about in everyday life?
The main differences between them are as follows

	Main Role	Manufacture of Sake	feature
liquor store	Sales of alcoholic beverages	×	Alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
sake brewery	Producing and storing alcohol	period	A facility where sake is made, stored, and aged.
sake brewer	Manufacture and sell alcoholic beverages	period	An establishment where sake is made and sold. Local characteristics and traditions are strongly reflected.

A sake brewery is different from others in that it can manufacture and sell alcoholic beverages. This is one of the main features that distinguishes a zakaya from other companies.

History of Sake Breweries

Zozakaya is a sake brewery that handles everything from the production to sales of sake. When was it born?
Here we introduce the history of the sake brewery.

The Beginning and Prosperity of the Sake Brewery

How sake was born, long history and a lot of dramas Sake has a long history and many dramas.
Understanding the history of sake will help you to better understand sake.

the times	event
Nara period (710-794 CE)	Birth of Sake With the spread of rice cultivation, the “brewing technique” that would become the prototype for sake spread. Then, sake brewing began in the Nara period (710-794) for ritual use at the court and shrines.
Kamakura – Muromachi Period	The Birth of the Sake Brewer During this period, sake brewing became widespread among farmers and samurai alike, and the technology improved. It was at this time that the first commercial breweries, called sake breweries, began to appear.
Edo period (1603-1868 CE)	Spreading to Various Regions In this period, sake brewing techniques were greatly improved and sake breweries spread throughout the country. Commercialization also progressed, and a distribution system with liquor stores was established. At this time, each region developed its own distinctive sake and a “kuramoto culture” was formed.
Meiji – Showa Period	The Evolution of the Sake Brewery This period saw the introduction of modern brewing techniques and equipment, which improved the productivity of sake breweries.
present	Fusion of Traditional and Latest Technology Today, sake is becoming increasingly popular both in Japan and abroad, and a diverse range of sake breweries exist. They support the economy by contributing to brewery tours as a tourism resource and to local revitalization.

Sake was originally made to offer to the gods, but it was spread by the common people, and through their efforts, the sake that Japan is proud of today was born.
When you taste sake after knowing its history you will be more impressed than just the taste.

Now you have learned more about sake breweries and sake.
Now, to summarize, here are three points to keep in mind when communicating the appeal of sake to foreigners. Now you should be able to introduce sake with confidence.

You can tour a sake brewery! 3 recommended sake breweries

Seeing firsthand how sake is made may give foreign guests a deeper understanding of its appeal.
So today, we will introduce three recommended sake breweries where you can enjoy not only tours but also tastings.

Each zakaya has its own unique taste and flavor depending on the region.
In this issue, we have selected zozakaya that are relatively easy to access, such as those in Tokyo and Kansai.

Find a special sake that is unique to the place you live or the place you visit.

Tokyo｜Toyoshimaya Sake Brewery

Tokyo’s Toshimaya Sake Brewery combines traditional techniques with the latest technology to produce quality sake.
Its mellow, easy-drinking sake is loved by a wide range of people.
Tours and tastings are available. The brewery offers a wide range of tours and tastings, allowing visitors to feel the fascination of sake brewing close at hand.

Tokyo｜Ishikawa Sake Brewery

Tokyo’s Ishikawa Shuzo Brewery is a Tokyo’s Ishikawa Sake Brewery is a long-established sake brewery that has been in business since the Edo period. Ishikawa Sake Brewery in Tokyo is a long-established sake brewery that has been in business since the Edo period.
The brewery maintains traditional methods while incorporating modern techniques into its sake brewing.
Tours and tastings are available, allowing visitors to experience the local culture.

Gekkeikan Okura Memorial Hall

Gekkeikan Okura Memorial Museum is a historic sake brewery in Kyoto, It boasts a tradition of more than 350 years in business. It boasts a tradition of more than 350 years in business.
Visitors can learn about the history and culture of sake brewing through a variety of exhibits, and enjoy tours and tastings.
Visitors can experience the rich nature and traditions of Kyoto’s sake brewing.

Tour Precautions

Sake is a very delicate drink and a slight difference in the way it is handled can change its taste and flavor.
Here are six points to keep in mind when visiting a sake brewery.
Let’s all observe good manners and enjoy our visit to a sake brewery!

not touching anything

In a sake brewery, the manufacturing equipment and Avoid direct contact with alcohol. Do not touch the production equipment or the sake directly.
Doing so may inadvertently cause stains or scratches.

Perfume sparingly.

Sake has a very delicate aroma.
Strong perfume can spoil the flavor. It is advisable to refrain from using perfume when visiting.
It is advisable to refrain from using perfume when visiting.

Attention to diet.

The consumption of natto, lactic acid bacteria, and blue mold bacteria, which adversely affect the koji mold of sake, is a major enemy of sake brewing.
Craftsmen in particular avoid natto, and visitors are also warned to refrain from consuming natto, yogurt, and fruits.
This is to maintain the environment of the koji room, It is important to avoid the consumption of fermented foods during the visit It is important to avoid the consumption of fermented foods during the visit in order to maintain the koji room environment.

Make a reservation in advance

Many sake breweries require reservations for tours. Many breweries require an appointment to visit.
Sudden visits may cause inconvenience.
Be sure to make an appointment before visiting.

Do not photograph unauthorized areas

During the tour Photography should be limited to permitted areas only. only in areas where you are allowed to take pictures.
If trade secrets or other information is captured on film, it may cause problems.
It is important to confirm the rules of photography in advance.

Driving a car is not an option.

It is against the law to drive a car after a tasting. It is strictly prohibited to drive a car after having tasted a drink.
Drinking and driving is strictly prohibited as it can lead to serious accidents.
If you are going by car, do not do the tasting.

Sake x Sightseeing Ideas

Do you want your foreign customers to enjoy Japanese sake, but don’t know what exactly to plan for……?
Here, Here are some specific ideas for combining sake, travel, and business entertainment. If you are planning to take a foreigner on a tour If you are planning to take a foreign guest to a Japanese restaurant, please take a look at these ideas.

Travel x Sake

Sake may make your trip even more special. Each region has its own unique taste and flavor, so tasting sake at your destination and enjoying the differences will make your trip even more enjoyable. In addition, tasting sake with traditional Japanese culture, such as on a yakatabune (houseboat) or in a tatami room, will provide you with special memories that are different from ordinary sightseeing tours.

If you would like to know more about specific plans for combining travel and sake, please check out this article.

Cuisine x Sake

Many people from overseas often hold home parties.
It would be wonderful if you could cook Japanese dishes and enjoy them with sake at your next party.
For those who like parties and cooking, We encourage you to learn how to make Japanese cuisine.
These days, there are many places where you can learn Japanese cooking directly from professionals. If you learn cooking skills that will be useful in the future, rather than just for sightseeing, you will surely satisfy your foreign visitors.

If you would like to know more about places that teach Japanese cuisine, please check out this article.

Entertainment x Sake

In particular We want our VIP guests to have a unique and special experience We recommend a private party that combines Japanese culture and entertainment for such guests. For such guests, we recommend a private party that combines Japanese culture and entertainment. The experience of tasting Japanese cuisine prepared by top chefs and carefully selected sake in a luxurious Japanese-style room is very special and will surely satisfy your VIP guests. It is also wonderful to combine it with a Japanese cultural experience such as inviting a maiko or geisha or taking a ride on a yakatabune.

If you would like to know more about our special entertainment plans, please check out this article.

Spreading the Appeal of Sake

In this article, we have introduced the characteristics and history of “zozakaya,” the actual zozakaya you can visit, and ways to enjoy sake more in your daily life.
If you read this article and would like to know more about entertainment plans for foreign visitors, or if you feel uneasy about guiding them alone ……, please contact Motenas Japan. We will work with you to resolve various concerns such as sightseeing plan planning and transportation.