Sake
- Shimane, the Birthplace of Sake
- Sake and the Japanese
- Visiting Shimane’s Sake Breweries
Visiting Shimane’s Sake Breweries
In order to make good sake, there are many things you need, but among them are good water and good rice, both of which you can find in abundance throughout Shimane Prefecture. There are 34 sake breweries (sakagura) in Shimane, from Yasugi in the east to Masuda in the west, and even one out on the Oki Islands, and the high-quality sake that these breweries make is enjoyed both in Shimane and around the country. Some breweries provide tours, but it is always good to call ahead and make sure. Contact information can be found below.
Sakagura in Shimane where tours are possible
If you plan on visiting any of the following Sakagura, you will need to make sure if they are able to accommodate your visit in advance.
Sakagura with English-speaking staff
- 1. Yoshida Shuzo
- 1216 Hirose, Hirose-cho, Yasugi City, Shimane
- 2. Itakura Shuzo
- 468 Enya-cho, Izumo City, Shimane
- 3. Furuhashi Shuzo
- 196 Ushiroda Ro, Tsuwano-cho, Kanoashi County, Shimane
- 4. Kasen Shuzo
- 221 Ushiroda Ro, Tsuwano-cho, Kanoashi County, Shimane
You can visit the following Sakagura if you have a translator
- 5. Yoneda Shuzo
- 3-59 Higashi hon-machi, Matsue City, Shimane
- 6. Kokki Shuzo
- 8 Higashi cha-machi, Matsue City, Shimane
- 7. Okuizumo Shuzo
- 1380-1 Kamedake, Okuizumo-cho, Nita County, Shimane
- 8. Hikami Shuzo
- 1222 Yokota, Okuizumo-cho, Nita County, Shimane
- 9. Kisuki Shuzo
- 477-1 Kisuki, Kisuki-cho, Unnan City, Shimane
- 10. Sakemochida Honten
- 785 Hirata-cho, Izumo City, Shimane
- 11. Takeshita Shuzo (Takeshita Honten)
- 955-1 Kakeya, Kakeya-cho, Unnan City, Shimane
- 12. Asahi Shuzo
- 662 Imaichi-cho, Izumo City, Shimane
- 13. Tamazakura Shuzo
- 148 Haramura, Ōnan-cho, Ōchi County, Shimane
- 14. Kimura Shuzo
- 1609 Ōe, Ōshiro-cho, Ōda City, Shimane
- 15. Nihonkai Shuzo
- 80 Minatoura, Misumi-cho, Hamada City, Shimane
- 16. Migita Shuzo
- 3-30 Hon-machi, Masuda City, Shimane
- 17. Zaima Sakaba
- 34 Nakaza Ro, Tsuwano-cho, Kanoashi County, Shimane
- 18. Oki Shuzo
- 174 Harada, Okinoshima-cho, Oki County, Shimane
- 19. Shitamori Shuzo
- 992 sabumi, Tsuwano-cho, Kanoashi County, Shimane
Visiting Locations Connected with Sake
Apart from the various sake breweries in Shimane, there are locations you can visit that are closely connected to the mythology that surrounds sake. Saka Shrine, which stands where the gods brewed their own sake and drank for 180 days, is in Kozakai-cho in the eastern part of Hirata, Izumo City. It is easily accessible, but in a quiet area, and the grounds of the shrine are very peaceful.
Of course, Izumo Taisha is also connected to sake, as many local brewers offer up their finest brews to the gods. This sake is said to be enjoyed by the gods when they gather at Izumo Taisha during Kami-ari-zuki. Since sake plays such an important role at shrines, offerings of sake are often made at local shrines, from large barrels of sake offered by brewers to small bottles offered by individuals. If you keep an eye out for them, you can spot these offerings at any shrine throughout Shimane.
The locations featured in the Yamata-no-Orochi legend have a connection to sake as well, as it played such an important role in the slaying of the serpent.
Saka Shrine
110 kosakai chou, Izumo City, Shimane
Izumo Taisha
195 Kizukihigashi, Taisha-cho, Izumo City, Shimane
