Enjoying Miyagi's Sake to the Fullest - Part 1: Recommendations for Sake that Miyagi, a Rice-producing Prefecture, is Proud of - [Northern Course

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Sake of Miyagi's northern region
There are many places throughout Japan that produce delicious sake, but did you know that Miyagi Prefecture also has many delicious and unique sake products?
Sake from Miyagi has a deep connection to the famous warlords of the Warring States period, and the sake brewed by each sake brewery in this land of rich nature is exquisite!
In this issue, we will introduce a total of 9 tours of Miyagi's sake.
We are also planning tours for limited departure dates, so please visit us and enjoy the environment where Miyagi-style sake is brewed, the marriage of Miyagi-style sake with local products, and meet the people who make it their profession. You will be captivated by Miyagi sake. (Please see the bottom of the page for tour details.)

Sake Brewing in Miyagi

The roots of Miyagi's sake brewing

Miyagi sake is said to have been first brewed in 1604 by Takeda Genzaemon in Watari, an area in southern Miyagi Prefecture, who started brewing sake as a merchant.
A few years later, in 1608, the Sendai clan's official sake brewery was established by Date Masamune, the founder of the Sendai clan, who was a gourmand and a great lover of sake.
Through the mediation of Yagyu Tajima no Kami Munenori, Masamune granted Mataemon, a resident of Kayanomori in Yamato (Nara), the family name "Kayanomori Mataemon", a ten-man support grant, and ten ryo of cut rice, and gave him a brewery and residence south of the San no Maru of Aoba Castle to start his own sake brewery. The sake brewery was built by Lord Masamune. The brewery is said to have been built by Lord Masamune himself.
Along with the development of the domain's sake breweries, town sake breweries also appeared in the Sendai castle area, and as they competed with each other in brewing techniques, Miyagi's sake brewing was refined.

About 90% of the sake is high quality sake

Miyagi sake is one of the highest quality sake in Japan. Since the "Declaration of Miyagi as a Prefecture of Junmai Sake" in November 1986, we have increased the percentage of high-quality "Tokutei Meishu" sake produced, which meets the requirements for rice polishing ratio and ingredients. Currently, approximately 90% of Miyagi's sake is tokutei meishu, which is higher than the national average of approximately 40% and the average of approximately 70% in the Tohoku region.

The first installment of the Miyagi Sake Enjoyment Series [Miyagi Prefecture North Course

The first installment of the Miyagi Sake Enjoyment Series introduces "Kanmei Shuzo" and "Hagino Shuzo" from the nature-rich northern area of Miyagi Prefecture!
The northern area of Miyagi Prefecture is the birthplace of "Kuranohana," rice suitable for sake brewing. The area is blessed with abundant water resources and fertile arable soil, making it an ideal environment for sake brewing.
In such an environment suitable for sake brewing, the local breweries have thoroughly pursued the sake they wanted to make. They are devoted to the brewing of sake through daily study, relentless pursuit, and dialogue with the raw materials (water and rice). The sake brewery gives the impression of having something in common with the magnificent nature in the northern part of the prefecture.
The brewery may be small in comparison to other breweries in Japan, but its passion and attitude toward sake brewing are second to none.

Kanmei Sake Brewery - Sake brewing is rice cultivation, and the taste of sake is a gift of rice.

The brewery is located in the middle of the Osaki Plain. The brewery stands quietly in the middle of the Osaki Plain, beyond the endless countryside. If it were not for the "Miyakanbai" written on the wall, the brewery would look like an ordinary farmhouse, but it is the only brewery in the prefecture that handles everything from rice cultivation to brewing on its own. The brewery's own rice fields in front of the brewery produce "Miyamanishiki," "Hiyori," and the fantastic "Aikoku" rice, and the brewery adheres to the simple concept that "sake brewing starts with rice production.
Kanmei Sake Brewery

Sake that brings spring to your heart. After much discussion, we arrived at the goal of "one cup of sake that is delicious.

The representative brand "Miyakanbai," which used to have a heavy and robust flavor, underwent a major shift 16 years ago. After many discussions over the question of "what is the best sake for Miyakanbai," we came up with the answer: "a sake that tastes good in one glass. The brewery's goal of conveying the original deliciousness of sake was clarified by emphasizing the flavor of the rice, which has a gorgeous aroma and a history of sake rice cultivation that has been passed down from generation to generation.
The brewery's goal of conveying the true taste of sake is clear: "Because we are in charge of rice cultivation, we want to focus on sake brewing that allows the brewer's face and thoughts to be seen.
The brewery's starting point is that "good local sake is only as good as the rice used to make it.
Miyakanbai" has been passed down from parent to child for about 100 years, and each time it is passed down, its flavor has gradually deepened. This delightful cup of sake is like sharing a precious heirloom for the brewer, and it will gradually spread joy in your mouth.
Kanmei Sake Brewery HP

Kanmei Sake Brewery x Italian

Sake from the Kanmei Sake Brewery, which fully brings out the flavor and umami of the rice, is paired with Italian food.
This miraculous marriage is offered by "Vin Yajute Asigaru," a restaurant in Osaki City, the same city where the Kanmei Sake Brewery is located. The chef, who is a certified sommelier and has traveled to France to study cuisine, creates a unique pasta and desserts that are both delicious and perfect with the sake from the Kanme Sake Brewery.
The tour will offer a menu specially designed by the chef. You won't want to miss this!

Hagino Sake Brewery - In pursuit of sake that can be enjoyed casually and without hesitation, just like wearing everyday clothes.

Kannari Arikabe, Kurihara City, still retains the atmosphere of its days as a prosperous post town on the Oshu Highway during the Edo period. Hagino Sake Brewery is located across the street from the former Arikabe main inn, which was founded by the Sato family.
The concept of "sake that brings to mind the scenery of a green satoyama" is probably a reflection of the natural blessings of the area surrounded by mountains and rice paddies, and the sense of brewing the entire climate. The brewing water is soft water from Reidosawa, drawn from the brewery's own mountains. The main rice used is "Miyamanishiki" and "Kura-no-Hana," which is also procured from local contract farmers.
Hagino Sake Brewery

Hagino Sake Brewery's goal of sake brewing

While it is generally believed that the ideal sake is one that suits the tastes of 100 people and tastes good to 100 people, Hagino Sake Brewery pursues sake that is truly delicious when drunk by the brewer himself. Taking advantage of this natural blessing of good rice and good water, we are constantly evolving our sake brewing process, preserving the unique traditions and history of Japanese sake while also incorporating new techniques.
The main brand "Haginotsuru" is a smart sake with a mild aroma and clean taste. The other brand, "Hiwada," has a strong individual taste that brings out the flavor of the rice. Both have the charm of sake that goes well with food and can be enjoyed without being overbearing, just like everyday wear.
Haginotsuru Junmai Daiginjo Miyamanishiki
Haginotsuru Evening Cat
Hagino Sake Brewery HP

Hagino Sake Brewery x Date's Pure Red Pork

We recommend pairing Hagino Shuzo's "sake that evokes the scenery of a green satoyama" with Date's pure red pork raised in the same village and served with shabu-shabu.
The red pig, produced by Izunuma Agricultural Products, is a purebred "Shimofuri Red," a purebred Duroc breed pig, and is handled under a regionally integrated system from production to processing and sales. Red pig meat is light pink, extremely soft, and juicy, with a fine texture and suppleness in the lean part, and a rich flavor in the fat part.
Please take your time to enjoy both the red pork and fresh local vegetables by pairing them with sake.
Izunuma Farms Red Pork Shabu Shabu

Naruko Onsen Hot Spring Village: Healing the fatigue of travelers in a hot spring village with a history of 1,000 years

Naruko Onsen-kyo has a history of over 1,000 years, and the hot spring was discovered in 837.
Naruko Onsen-kyo, which represents the northern area of Miyagi Prefecture, is also known that Minamoto no Yoshitsune visited Naruko on his way to Hiraizumi, pursued by his brother Yoritomo, and that Matsuo Basho chose the Dewa Kaido Nakayama Passage from Naruko to Urumae in his "Okunohosomichi. There are also many historic sites and old roads associated with Yoshitsune and Basho.
Naruko Onsen-kyo is one of the "Three Famous Hot Springs of Oshu" and has an abundance of hot spring water, and many of the baths have free-flowing hot-spring water. Many inns have their own hot springs.
Of the 11 types of hot springs in Japan, a whopping 8 are concentrated in Naruko Onsen-kyo, which has long been known as a therapeutic hot spring in the Tohoku region, and is renowned for the efficacy and quality of its hot springs.
Naruko Kanko Hotel Large Bath

For lodging, go to Naruko Kanko Hotel, which is located in the middle of a gentle slope. Amidst the beauty of the four seasons, you will find a gentle time that has not changed over time.
The private hot spring, which has been preserved since the establishment of the hotel, changes the color of the water from milky white to emerald green depending on the day. Please spend a rich time playing with the smooth and beautiful skin of the hot spring water.
Moreover, Naruko Kanko Hotel offers "Genzo's Sake Miyakanbai," a sake named after the former name of the hotel, "Genzo. Yes, this is a special brand created by Kanbai Sake Brewery for Naruko Kanko Hotel.
On the tour, this sake will be served at dinner.

Dinner at Naruko Kanko Hotel (example)

First in a series of tours to enjoy Miyagi's sake to the fullest - Limited departure date tour

The tour will include a visit and tasting of the sake brewery introduced here, a marriage of local ingredients, and a relaxing time in the hot spring.
This is a valuable opportunity to learn and discover, and to hear the real voices of sake breweries!
Departures from Tokyo and Sendai are available.
Please enjoy Miyagi's proud northern area with sightseeing.
Click here to register!
The contents and services in this article are subject to change.
Tour availability is subject to change.
All images are for illustrative purposes only.
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