Must-visit destinations for sake and Shochu lovers

Kyushu is an island home in Fukuoka Prefecture, famous for its sho and sake, and Fukuoka is particularly the latter. Whether it is producing shohu or sake, raw water is the key – in fact, it is important to say that there is a good place to have a good sake.

Thanks to its clear river, Fukuoka is an ideal place for breweries and breweries, and the county has over 60, many of which have been for centuries. County reasons and shochu are known for its exquisite flavor and craftsmanship, which makes it a compulsory place for any connoisseur. It’s worth visiting the area only these local specialties – but for those who want to sample without leaving Tokyo, there’s Kojimachi Nadaman Fukuoka Bettei, a partnership between the Fukuka County Government and the intoxicating Nadaman Restaurant Group. Here, guests can enjoy the exquisite dishes of Fukuoka, with carefully curated local sake and shochu.

Below, we highlight some of Fukuoka Prefecture’s most famous sake and Shochu Breweries, which is worth keeping in mind whether you are planning your next trip or just ordering a drink.

Beniotome Shuzo: Innovation in a glass with sesame shochu

Most Shochus produced by Fukuoka use barley as the base ingredient, while Beniotome Shochu makes the most of the cereals, but it adds sesame to the mixture for a unique flavor. Founded in 1978, Shochu is the world’s first sesame spirit. Beniotome has several varieties of different ageing periods, resulting in subtle flavor changes. However, all beniotome shochu combines the aroma of sesame with the refreshing characteristics of mountain spring water, with a unique local flavor – nutty, smooth and perfectly sweet.

Located at the foot of the Mino Mountains in Chikugo Plain in Fukuoka, Beniotome Shuzo Brewery is amidst magnificent natural scenery and fertile fields. The brewery is a recipient of multiple honors, including its standard Beniotome sesame shochu, which has received multiple golds from the Monde Selection Grand Gold Award and Fukuoka County Liquor Assessment.

Brewery visitors can stroll through its scenic grounds and enjoy the facilities’ guide, including a unique storage house decorated with stained glass windows.

mii no kotobuki: sake that inspires grand slam dunks

Through the standards of sake breweries, MII No Kotobuki may be relatively young, but its reason is as respected as it has produced by Fokuka’s oldest brewing institution. Founded in 1922, the brewery is the only Kyoto brewer to receive 95% of the Japanese awards awards.

Located along the Koishiwara River in southern Fukuka, Mii no Kotobuki uses the “King of Prest” of Yamada Nishiki Rice (Zake of Press of Press) like many other Kyushu breweries. The brewing that distinguishes it from other sake producers is its mixing and fermentation process, which combines modern knowledge, traditional techniques and an incredible sake passion.

Apart from many acclaims, MII No Kotobuki has a special reputation: a connection to Slam Dunk, one of Japan’s most popular comic series. Takehiko Inoue, creator of Slam Dunk, said he named the character Hisashi Mitsui as a brewery, using the kanji character for “MII” but using the alternative “Mitsui” pronunciation. Temptation your taste buds and excite your inner comic fans during a meal at Kojimachi Nadaman Fukuoka Bettei with Mii no Kotobuki +14 Daikarakuchi Kojimachi Nadaman Fukuoka Bettei – an extra dry sake marked with the Jersey number of Hisashi Mitsui Mitsui, 14.

The brewery currently does not offer visits to its facilities.

Wakanami sake brewery: Brewing the future

Wakanami sake brewery longs for “inspiring young waves” (in other words, innovative), a motto inspired by the mighty chikugo river that ripples beside the brewery in southern Fokuka. Even the name of the brewery carries a wish, and it is written for “Young” (Waka) and “Wave” (Nami) like Chinese characters. The sake tastes flow like waves too – a little sweet at close range, then backs back with a crisp, refreshing finish. This sake style has won numerous fans of the brewery, as well as honors, including the first governor’s award for the Fokka County Alcohol Assessment.

Founded in 1922, the brewery is a branch of an older brewery run by a team that includes the eighth generation Master Brewer, who also happen to be the first in Kyushu and the only female Toji in Fokuka. Its award-winning sake displays on handmade wooden shelves in Okawa, as well as Japan’s first Amaou Strawberry Liqueur.

Yamaguchi Shuzojo: The Living Legacy

Yamaguchi Shuzojo previewed that it had arisen for the times when the spirit of the ancestors was in the spirit of the ancestors and had many ancestors. The Shanguchi family was originally a merchant and established a sake brewery in 1832, before this was a family, a Japanese bush warbler drinking from spring in the garden. He believes this is a sign of the excellent brewing potential of water. Yamaguchi Shuzojo (Yamaguchi Shuzojo) (currently led by its 11th generation chief) has been in business for more than 190 years and continues to use Crystalline Water from Chikugo Plain in southern Fukuka for sake palliative.

Niwa No Uguisu, the main brand of the brewery, is named after the Japanese shrub warbler (Uguisu) seen in the Garden (NIWA) many years ago. The brand’s Tokubetsu Junmai’s sake faithfully utilizes carefully spreading brewing technology, passed down from generation to generation, creating a crisp and light flavor while maintaining a rich flavor.

Visitors can browse the products of Yamaguchi Shujo in Uguisubar, a charming retail space located in a building that is now 260 years old.

More information

In addition to the sake breweries offered here, openings and events for various other breweries were held throughout Forkuka County. For more information, please visit Its official travel website.

Kojimachi Nadaman Fukuoka Bettei
1st floor, Sumitomo Fudosan Fukuoka Hanzomon Bldg.
1-12-1, Kojimachi, Chiada City, Tokyo
T: 03-6380-8421