Ever wonder where you can taste and learn about Japan’s national drink? The Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center is your gateway to understanding sake. It also offers insights into shochu and awamori. This center acts as a sake museum. It welcomes you to explore Japanese liquor culture.
The Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center was established by the Japanese Sake and Shochu Makers Association. The JSS wants to share knowledge and the joy of sake with the world. The association formed in 1953 seeks to protect Japan’s liquor business. It supports the production and promotion of local Japanese liquor.
Inside the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center, informational brochures guide you. They explain the history and basics of sake. You can view traditional sake vessels. Learn about different types of sake rice. Discover how rice polishing affects the final product. The center visually represents the size of sake rice. It shows different rice polishing ratios.
Need a break? The Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center has a spacious seating area. Relax and enjoy tasting sake. A diverse selection of sake is available for purchase. You may even find a bottle carrier for your sake.
Koji plays a crucial role in sake fermentation. Koji is made by cultivating koji mold on steamed sake rice. The center displays different types of koji fungi.
Have you noticed a large ball of cedar wood at sake breweries? It is called a cedar ball or sugidama. The cedar ball changes colors over the seasons. Its color indicates when the sake is ready for bottling.
New to sake? Try the Sake 101 set. It introduces different sake flavor profiles. Discover your preferences for only 500 yen. Tasting sets include Japanese shochu too. Drink to your heart’s content. Kanpai.
Before you leave the Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center, pick up souvenirs. The center offers a variety of experiences. You can examine brewing tools. Engage with educational displays. The center makes learning fun.
About 50 different types of sake and shochu are available for tasting. Glasses start from 100 yen. Sample Daiginjoshu. Try Junmai Daiginjo-shu. Taste imo shochu made from sweet potato. Explore mugi shochu made from barley. Kome shochu is made from rice. Kokutou shochu comes from black sugar. Awamori and fruit liqueur are also available.
Not sure what to order? Try the Daiginjo A Set or Shochu 5 Types Set. Both cost 500 yen. Find your favorite kokushu a national drink of Japan.
The Japan Sake and Shochu Information Center is located in the Nihon Shuzo Toranomon Building. It is near Toranomon Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. The center is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Inside, you will see a wooden bucket on the ceiling. The center carries many kinds of sake. You can order from 30mL for 300 JPY. Tasting flights are popular. You can taste mirin, a sweet sake for seasoning. The center also offers a VR experience. Watch a sake brewing video.
Beginners can enjoy sake more here. Everything has an English translation. They hold events. I recommend that you visit this place.