“Miyamizu,” a name synonymous with sake. It echoes through time near the Stele of the Miyamizu 発祥の碑. This stele marks the place where the famed “Miyamizu” water originates. We are at the Stele of the Miyamizu 発祥の碑.
The Stele of the Miyamizu 発祥の碑 stands as a testament. It honors the water that fueled Nishinomiya’s sake brewing industry. The area around the Stele of the Miyamizu 発祥の碑 still houses many sake breweries. The Stele of the Miyamizu 発祥の碑 is close to the breweries.
Why was Nishinomiya such a sake powerhouse? The answer lies beneath our feet. Nishinomiya was blessed with water ideal for sake production. This water called Miyamizu, flowed from wells. This water was perfect for sake.
Let’s jump back to the late Edo period. Brewers discovered something remarkable. Sake made with Nishinomiya water was superior. They tried transporting the water to other breweries. They wanted to replicate the taste. The result? The same excellent sake. That’s how Miyamizu was born. Initially, it was called “Nishinomiya no Mizu” or Nishinomiya Water.
The Stele of the Miyamizu 発祥の碑 sits in an area dotted with wells. These wells tap into the Miyamizu source. You will see many wells as you explore around the Stele of the Miyamizu 発祥の碑. Each brewery had its own private well.
The Miyamizu wells are relatively shallow. They are only a few meters deep. The water originates from the Rokko Mountains. Rain filters through the mountains. It becomes rich in minerals. This mineral-rich water is Miyamizu.
Miyamizu isn’t ideal for drinking straight. It’s hard water. However, these minerals nourish the yeast. This boosts fermentation. This results in superior sake. The Stele of the Miyamizu 発祥の碑 stands near this important water.
The stele bears inscriptions. They celebrate Miyamizu and the sake brewing area. One inscription evokes the sounds of sake production. It describes Nishinomiya as a town of sake.
The Stele of the Miyamizu 発祥の碑 is more than a stone. It is a symbol. It marks the origin of a vital resource. It is a reminder of Nishinomiya’s sake heritage. The Stele of the Miyamizu 発祥の碑 preserves history.
Even today, Miyamizu continues to flow. It sustains Nishinomiya’s sake industry. The Miyamizu area was selected as one of Japan’s top 100名水. As you stand before the Stele of the Miyamizu 発祥の碑, imagine the generations of brewers. They relied on this precious water. They crafted world-renowned sake because of it. Their legacy lives on here at the Stele of the Miyamizu 発祥の碑.