Famed as the birthplace of clear sake Itami holds secrets beyond its brewery doors. Very few know Itami beyond its airport. It is often overshadowed by Kansai International Airport. Even the name Osaka International Airport is misleading. The airport is in Hyogo Prefecture not Osaka and it primarily serves domestic flights now.
But let’s delve into why Itami deserves our attention. Itami is a historical city. It offers surprises for those willing to explore beyond the typical tourist spots.
Imagine walking through Itami. You will feel like you are flipping through the pages of sake brewing history. Hyogo Prefecture is the top sake producer in Japan. Itami City is celebrated as the birthplace of clear sake called morohaku sumizake. This type of sake was preferred over the cloudy nigorizake. Itami is said to have popularized the mass production of seishu refined sake in Japan.
Sake lovers can explore museums stores and breweries that showcase Itami’s sake history. Visit the Itami City Museum of Art History and Culture. It offers an eye-opening tour of Japan’s oldest sake brewery structure. You can learn about sake brewing history in Itami.
Oimatsu Brewery is another highlight with over 300 years of history. It is a prestigious sake maker. In the Edo period it brewed sake for the shogunate and imperial family.
Shirayuki Brewery Village Chojugura established in 1550 is also a must-see. The Konishi family has run it for 15 generations. The renovated facility includes a restaurant and exhibitions of sake brewing tools. Shirayuki aims to create an environment of learn play savor and have fun for its visitors.
But Itami offers more than just sake. Shubukan provides a naginata experience. In 1786 a sake brewer established a private dojo in Itami. Masterless ronin samurai trained there. They learned swordsmanship for self-protection. The Konishi family also from the sake brewing company persevered through challenges. The dojo was rebuilt in 1950 after being destroyed in World War II air raids. It became the headquarters of the All Japan Naginata Federation.
Visitors can experience naginata-jutsu. This is an art of self-defense practiced by samurai mountain ascetics and female warriors. It became a symbol of nobility for women of samurai families in the Edo period.
Midori En offers a tea ceremony experience. Established in 1902 this Japanese tea store and classroom hosts experiences for regulars and tourists. You can join an actual tea ceremony lesson. Here, you can appreciate everything presented by the host. You can also ponder the calligraphy scroll on the wall.
Itami is a city with a rich cultural heritage. It is a testament to Japanese people’s dignity and perseverance. Itami invites you to discover its hidden gems. Just a short trip from Osaka Itami offers a deeper connection to Japanese traditions.