Visiting sake breweries in six Tohoku prefectures! Bringing smiles and flowers to Japan: "Sakuragao Sake Brewery" [Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture]

Sakuragao Sake Brewery is located along the Yanagawa River at the foot of Mount Tatara, heading east on National Route 106 from the center of Morioka City

The sake is brewed using the traditional techniques of the Nanbu Toji, and is characterized by a well-balanced taste with a refreshing mouthfeel, fruity aromas and a strong umami flavor

We primarily use Iwate-grown rice varieties suitable for sake brewing, such as "Yui no Kaori," "Ginginga," and "Gin Otome," and brew sake with yeast developed in Iwate Prefecture

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The history of Sakuragao Sake Brewery

Sakuragao Sake Brewery was formerly known as Kinzo Sake Brewery, which was founded in December 1912 (Taisho 1) before the war

After the war, in October 1973, the company established the Sakuragao Sake Brewery Cooperative Association with 10 other sake breweries in Iwate Prefecture, which is the origin of its current name

After that, it became a subsidiary of Michinoku Coca-Cola Bottling, and in March 1998, it took over the entire sake manufacturing and sales business from the cooperative association

The company then changed its name from Kinzo Sake Brewery to Sakuragao Sake Brewery Co., Ltd., and is now a subsidiary of Yoshimura Food Holdings in Tokyo

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The origin of the brewery name Sakuragao

The complexion of a slightly tipsy person is described as "a face that turns a slight cherry blossom color as you drink more and more," and this name was chosen in the hope that this drink would bring about that same pleasant feeling

Using the skills of the Nanbu Toji brewers, Iwate's bountiful rice is brewed into sake that makes the most of Iwate's climate and soil, and the desire to see many people have "sakura faces" is conveyed

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A tour of the sake brewery where you can feel the passion that goes into making the sake

The official website states that "tours have been suspended since the COVID-19 outbreak," but when we inquired, we were told that tours have resumed

So I immediately applied for a tour of the sake brewery and went to see how sake is made at Sakuragao Sake Brewery

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The tour begins on the first floor of the unadorned factory, where cedar balls hang

When we arrived at the Sakuragao Sake Brewery headquarters in Kawame-cho, Morioka City at the scheduled time, we were greeted by an elderly man who was to give us a tour

Judging from his appearance, I thought he might be the master brewer, but when I asked him during the tour, I found out that he was Akira Kudo, the CEO of Sakuragao Sake Brewery!

The president gave us a tour of the brewery for about 20 minutes

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Sake brewing through a collaboration between an old brewery and modern facilities

Unlike Asakai, which is also located in Morioka City, the interior of Sakuragao Sake Brewery does not have a tour route or explanatory signs

The names of the rooms, such as the koji room, were indicated, but unlike Asa Kai, there were no detailed explanations posted in front of the rooms, so we had to rely on the explanations from the president

Rooms that require delicate care, such as the koji room, are paneled with wood and are lined with stacks of clean, old-fashioned koji lids

The rows of tanks and various machines give the place the feel of a modern factory, and it is very interesting to see all of this equipment coexisting together

The mash gives off a fragrant aroma and bubbles

In the room where the brewing tanks are kept, the floor is laid at the height of the tanks' mouths, allowing visitors to look into the tanks from above

As we were guided by the president and approached the tank where brewing was taking place, a young employee came running up to us and asked, "Shall I show you inside?"

When the lid is opened, a fragrant aroma wafts out, and the white mash inside has many large bubbles on the surface, and upon closer inspection, bubbles can be seen bubbling up from the bottom

I was witnessing the yeast eating sugar and producing alcohol, and I was so moved by the great power of this tiny yeast that I couldn't help but clasp my hands together in gratitude

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The author recommends three "Sakura Kao" brands!

Sakuragao Sake Brewery has many brands, including their flagship Junmai Daiginjo "Hitensho," and all of them are delicious sakes

Here, I will introduce three brands of "Sakura Kao" that I particularly like

Junmai Daiginjo "Nambu no Shizuku"

This Junmai Daiginjo is made from "Ginginga," a rice variety suitable for sake brewing that has been polished to 50% by Iwate Prefecture, and brewed with "Yuko no Omoi," a yeast produced in Iwate Prefecture

It has a crisp, clean taste, and when you put it in your mouth, you can taste the fruity apple-like aroma and a subtle sweetness, followed by a strong, dry flavor

Sakuragao Special Junmai Sake 50/50 Polished

This is also a slightly dry Junmai sake made from Iwate Prefecture's "Gingin" sake rice, polished to 55% and fermented at the same low temperature as Ginjo sake

It has a gentle, aged aroma and the flavor of rice, making it a delicious drink to enjoy with meals, whether served chilled or warm

Sakuragao Special Junmai Nama Chozoshu

Junmai sake made from sake rice grown in Iwate Prefecture is stored raw and is heat-sterilized only once before bottling

This slightly dry Junmai sake has a fresh aroma and refreshing acidity, and is best enjoyed chilled

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"GI Iwate" is a locally produced sake brewed by a Nanbu master brewer

"GI Iwate" is a geographical indication given to sake made with rice and water produced in Iwate, and is like a seal of approval from the government guaranteeing that the quality is maintained

The certification criteria require that the sake be brewed by a Nanbu master brewer using these ingredients, and if the yeast is also produced in Iwate, it will be specifically certified as "GI All Iwate."

This sake, which has been certified as "GI Iwate," is popular as a delicious drink with a soft mouthfeel and the rich flavor of rice

Among the brands of Sakuragao Sake Brewery, there are many GI-certified sakes, including the recommended "Sakuragao Tokubetsu Junmai Sake (55% polished)" and "Sakuragao Tokubetsu Junmai Nama Chozoshu."

Sakuragao Sake Brewery <Information>

• Facility name: Sakuragao Sake Brewery Co., Ltd
• Address: 23-18 Kawamecho, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-622-6800
• Business hours: 8:30-18:00 (Factory tours are available Monday-Friday from 9:00-15:00, advance reservations required)
• Closed: Saturdays and Sundays
• URL: Sakuragao Sake Brewery official website

Google Map

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summary

Sakuragao Sake Brewery's production volume is not large, and many of their sakes are said to be difficult to obtain even within Morioka city

Additionally, Sakuragao Sake Brewery does not provide any specialised guides or set up designated routes within the brewery for tours

The exterior of the brewery is an unadorned building, no different from the nearby food manufacturing factories, and if it weren't for the cedar ball hanging at the entrance, you would never guess it was a sake brewery

Even so, through the tour, I was able to sense the passion for sake brewing of the young employees and the president, and I could sense their pride in making good sake

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