How many sake breweries are there?
Currently, it is said that the number of sake breweries is about 1,500. Because there are many places that do not operate just having a manufacturing license,There are about 1,200 sake breweries that actually make sake..
Some people may feel that there are few people listening to this number, but in fact, the number of sake breweries continues to decline year by year. The number of sake breweries after World War II was around 1960 (Showa 35)約 4,000Is continuing to decrease to the peak. By the way, in 1881 (Meiji 14) year, how27,000There seems to be a manufacturer. There may have been many places of small scale,Current 18 timesIs a surprising number.
The fact that the number of sake breweries has been greatly reduced, of course, will reduce the amount that is produced. The amount of sake produced isAfter peaking at about 1973 million kiloliters in 48 (Showa 176), it is on a downward trend. By the way, 2015 (Heisei 27) year,About 55 million kiloliters.1 below 3 minutes at peakIt is ... is not it. Possible reasons for this are various factors such as a declining population due to a declining birthrate, an aging population that is accelerating, alcohol consumption by young people, and sluggish consumption due to a decrease in corporate spending.
However, even though the consumption of sake is decreasing, it is the so-called “ordinary sake” that is drastically decreasing.The consumption of high-class sake classified as “specific name liquor” such as Junmai Daiginjo Sake is steadily increasing..
Although sake breweries are decreasing, young brewers who have changed generations have created innovative products one after another, and sake events held all over the country are also booming. In addition, the popularity of sake in foreign countries is increasing, and so-called sake brewery tourism, where visitors can visit a sake brewery during their visit to Japan, is growing year by year. Along with dramatic improvements in brewing technology,The most delicious time in the history of sakeYou can say.
Top 5 rankings by number of sake breweries
Speaking of prefectures that make a lot of sake, what areas do you imagine? Here are the top 5 prefectures with many breweries. Data are from the National Tax Agency's “Sake Sake Industry Overview”
"(Based on the survey in FY Heisei 28).
The 1 place Niigata [88 storehouse]
There may be many people who are convinced of this after all.Spicy sakeThere are many people with the image of Niigata Prefecture. Since 2004, it has been held in Niigata City every 3 monthNiigata Sake no Jin, the largest sake event in Niigata Prefecture, will be exhibited by most sake breweries in Niigata Prefecture.. In 2018 year, over 2 million sake fans participated from around the country in 14 days.
However, “Niigata Sake no Jin in Nihonbashi” has been held at the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store for the past few years for the sake of Jinbei who cannot easily go to Niigata. With a tasting ticket (with a mouthpiece) that allows you to taste about 1ml with 30, you can easily enjoy the sake of Niigata on your way home from work. There is a corner that serves snacks perfect for sake, an Eat-in corner where you can taste Niigata's specialty “Hegiso”, and a brewery's talk show is also held daily, which is one of my favorite events.
The 2 place Nagano [76 storehouse]
Nagano Prefecture has the Japanese Alps and is endowed with beautiful and rich nature.Japanese sake brewed with delicious water that springs from the abundant water veins essential for sake brewingAre gaining high popularity.
The 3 place Hyogo Prefecture [68 storehouse]
Hyogo Prefecture, one of Japan's leading sake breweries with the largest number of major sake breweries, ranked in the 3 rank.Origin of sake rice champion YamanishikiIs also famous. Rich in minerals and suitable for sake brewingThe sake of the Sakai region brewed with “Miyamizu” is crisp and dry.. It is known as the “Men's Sake”.
No. 4 Fukushima Prefecture [61 storehouse]
Fukushima Prefecture has continued to be the best in Japan for 2013 years since the number of gold prizes received at the National New Sake Review.The individuality of each area shines brightlyNo. is a characteristic of sake in Fukushima Prefecture. Sake made in Hamadori, Nakadori, and Aizu areas is a famous place where you can enjoy a variety of flavors depending on the area you wouldn't expect in the same prefecture.
No. 5 Fukuoka Prefecture [57 storehouse]
You may be surprised that Fukuoka Prefecture in the Kyushu region is ranked 5. Kyushu has a strong image of shochu,In fact, Fukuoka is a prefecture where sake brewing is very popular in Kyushu.. In Hakata's folk song, it begins with the phrase “If you can drink alcohol and drink it!”Kuroda Setsubun”, But it ’s not sake that is being drunk, but sake.
This is the top 5 introduction. If you are interested in how many breweries there are in the prefecture where you live, you may find it fun.
TOP20 sales by brewery
We will also introduce sales rankings by brewery. I tried to summarize from the 1st place to the 20 place. The data is based on “2016 top sake producer sales by 20” in the “Sake Maker's Management Survey” conducted by Teikoku Databank.
No. 1 Hakutsuru Sake Brewery (Hyogo) Representative brand `` Hakutsuru ''
No. 2 Laurel Wreath (Kyoto) Representative brand `` Laurel Wreath ''
No. 3 Takara Holdings (Kyoto Prefecture)
No. 4 Ozeki (Hyogo) Representative brand `` Ozeki ''
No. 5 Nihonmori (Hyogo) Representative brand `` Nihonmori ''
No. 6 Oyama Honke Sake Brewery (Saitama Prefecture)
No. 7 Kikumasamune Sake Brewery (Hyogo) Representative brand `` Kikumasamune ''
No. 8 Asahi Sake Brewery (Yamaguchi Prefecture)
No.9 Yellow cherry tree (Kyoto Prefecture)
No. 10 Oenon Holdings (Tokyo) Representative brands `` Daiyukinokura '' `` Fukutokucho ''
No. 11 Asahi Shuzo (Niigata) Representative brand `` Kubota ''
No. 12 Hakkai Brewery (Niigata Prefecture) Representative brand `` Hakkaisan ''
No. 13 Kuramamoto Family Brewery (Hyogo Prefecture)
No. 14 Kikusui Brewery (Niigata) Representative brand `` Kikusui ''
No. 15 Kato Yoshihira store (Fukui Prefecture)
No. 16 Kenryo Sake Brewery (Hyogo) Representative brand `` Kenryo ''
No. 17 Konishi Brewery (Hyogo) Representative brand `` Shirayuki ''
No. 18 Sawa no Tsuru (Hyogo) Representative brand "Sawa no Tsuru"
No. 19 Nakajo Sake Brewery (Aichi Prefecture) Representative brand `` Kunimori ''
No. 20 Kiyosu Souzo (Aichi Prefecture)
There are still a lot of breweries in Hyogo prefecture that rank 1 in production.From Niigata Prefecture, the number of sake breweries in Japan, there are sake breweries with famous brands such as “Hakkaisan”, “Kubota” and “Kikusui”.. Also,Asahi Sake Brewery, familiar at “Sakai Matsuri”However, it is impressive that the 2007 survey, which was out of the top 20 range, has made a major breakthrough this time at the 8 position.
Are there any breweries in Tokyo and Okinawa?
By the way, when it comes to sake breweries, there are many people who imagine the region and the suburbs. But surprisingly, do you know that there is a sake brewery in Tokyo 23 Ward that also brews sake? What's more, it's a stylish and high-class location in Tokyo, near Shiba in the big city and Keio University.
The name of the sake brewery“Tokyo Minato Brewing”. Tokyo Port BrewingOriginally called “Wakamatsuya”, a sake brewery that lasted for 200 years from 1812 (cultural 9 years) about 100 years agowas. At that time, Wakamatsuya had a back floor and a waterway leading directly to Tokyo Bay. For this reason, it is a great location for secret talks, and there are still legends that many historical greats such as Katsu Kaifune and Takamori Saigo, who are the leaders of Edo Castle Bloodless Kai, have been visited.
However, due to the successor issue and the revision of the liquor tax law,Closed in 1911 (Meiji 42). thenAcquired a manufacturing license to revive the brewing industry in 100 years after 2011Then, after 100 years, it revived in the 21 century.
The representative brand of Tokyo Port Brewery is"Edo Kaijo". That ’s the perfect name for the remaining legend. Also,As the “Tokyo Series” that changes the taste and aroma in the image of individual cities in Tokyo, there are 4 types of “Shiba no Sake”, “Azabu Sake”, “Roppongi Sake”, and “Ginza Sake”. Sending out. It's a pretty exciting naming. At Tokyo Port Brewery, tasting car cornering is open from 18 to 21 on weekday evenings, so it's attractive to stop by and get a glass. By the way, please be careful as it is canceled when it rains.
The Tokyo Port Brewery building is a four-storey compact building with no large storehouses or chimneys, just like a regular sake brewery, in the city center. It is designed so that the process flows from the fourth floor to the first floor. The By the way, the water used by Tokyo Port Brewery is"Tap water in Tokyo"! I was very surprised when I first learned about it, but when I heard it, the tap water in Tokyo was subjected to advanced water treatment.Medium-soft water with hardness close to that of Kyoto / Fushimi and Hiroshima / Saijo, which are famous brewing areas, so you can filter easily, but there is no problem with the amount used for sake brewing.It seems to.
By the way, here is the question. "Is there any prefecture that doesn't make sake now?"
The answer is,"No".
You might be surprised to hear that “Is there a brewery in Okinawa?” Speaking of sake, Okinawa Prefecture is overwhelmingly famous for Awamori and Orion Beer, but in fact there are sake breweries that only make 1 eaves. Its name is "Uruma City"Taisoku Sake Brewery" This is the southernmost sake brewery in Japan that produces sake named “Reimei”.
By the way, the northernmost sake brewery in Japan is called “Mashikecho” in Hokkaido.Kuni rare brewing"is. The representative brand is “Kuni rare”. Due to the abandonment of the JR Hokkaido Rumoi Main Line, the nearest Mashige station was abandoned in 2016 (Heisei 28), so transportation is never good. However, there are plenty of facilities such as a tasting corner and a stone warehouse, and we are actively accepting visitors to the sake brewery, so it is very fun to visit. I also had trouble getting on a local bus.
The former Mashige Station is also attractive for railway enthusiasts because the station building was restored to the same size as when it was opened and reopened.
The oldest sake brewery is more than founded 800 years!
Many sake breweries have a long history,An industry with many long-established companies that have continued for more than 200 yearsis. Meanwhile, the existing sake brewery has been making sake for the longest time.“Sudo Honke” (Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture).
How old is it"Heian period'! It's an extraordinary history because it's 1141. Therefore, the current master, Mr. Genemon Sudo, is the 55 generation. The Sudo family was originally a samurai, but started making sake to make up for the lack of tribute.All Sudo Honke sakes are pure rice Daiginjo sake that does not use carbon for filtration.That is a big feature. In addition, the rice to be used is sticking to new rice within 5 months after harvesting, and most of the products are very rare sake brewers.
And the 2 oldest is"Hiraizumi Honpo"(Nikaho City, Akita Prefecture). Founded1487 in the Muromachi period. Speaking of 1487, it is almost the same age as Ginkakuji was erected in Kyoto, after 1467, when the Onin Rebellion (1477 to 10) ended.Since then, it has continued to produce wonderful sake for the 26 generation. The Tohoku popularity seems to be solid, and the creed is "I want to make liquor like plum blossoms that are plain but swell rather than flashy cherry blossoms" The sake brewery is stubbornly sticking to the traditional mountain abandonment and protecting the fine handmadeness of small breweries.
By the way, Masaaki Saito, managing director of the next term, has a unique background of studying management at a university in Tokyo and then working for advertising on a TV CS channel. I can't stop feeling the excitement of what kind of liquor will be created by the managing director with the idea that “Sake is entertainment and has a place to communicate with TV”.
Next, 3 is the production volume of the longest-established store in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan,"Kenbishi Sake Brewery".1505 yearWe continue to make sake from It is also known that the sake of the strawberry was very popular in Edo. It was Kenbishi that 47 people swallowed a cup when Ryoko Aho went into the residence of Yoshio Takaya, who is the nephew of the late lord, Nagano Asano. On the Kenbishi label,A distinctive logo that imitates the shape of a sword blade and a spear of a demon held in the right hand of Fudo MyooA bold design. Most people have seen it once somewhere.
4 rank isEstablished in 1532 Of"Yamaji Sake Brewery" (Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture). Nagahama is a city on the Hokukoku Highway that connects Hokuriku and the capital of Kyoto. Yamaji Sake Brewery has started sake brewing in this area where people have come and go as a major road since ancient times, and where cultures and products are active.We are committed to reducing pesticide farming and organic fertilizer, and have been making serious sake for over 480 years.. The main stocks were named after this road"Hokkaido Highway".A refined and dry sake that you can enjoy the deliciousness and richness of riceis. Also popular is the liqueur called “Kuwazake” loved by poet Shimazaki Fujimura. Omi's glutinous rice, koji, and mulberry leaves are soaked in shochu using a unique method, and are made using traditional miso manufacturing methods.
And 5 ranks in Niigata Prefecture, which boasts the largest number of sake breweries in Japan, in Nagaoka City, which has the main brand “Yoshinogawa”“Yoshinogawa Brewery”. Even in the era when many sake breweries stopped using ginjo brewing, which needed to use a lot of rice in the post-war rice shortage,A sake brewery shining with sincerity that has earnestly continued its technical study with “Ginjo as the basis for sake brewing”is. Founded1548 year. Sengoku warlord Nobunaga Oda, who was one step closer to the unification of the world, was married to the daughter of Mino's lord, Saito Michizo Saito. Both names are familiar to Sengoku era lovers.
In addition, it was 1549 (the astronomical 18) year after the founding that Francisco Xavier who founded the Jesuit society first introduced Christianity to Japan. By the way,There is still a legend that Xavier is the first foreigner to drink sake.. What kind of liquor did you drink?
How was that? Compared with events in Japanese history, you can see the length of history that the brewery has been spinning.
Where is Japan's newest brewery?
By the way, the newest sake brewery in Japan is “Kamikawa Taisetsu Brewery. "2017 (Heisei 29) year, the newness of having just been born in Kamikawa-cho, Kamikawa-gun, HokkaidoIt is. Kamikawa is also known as the hometown of Sara Takanashi, a female ski jumper. The fact that ski competitions are thriving means cold and snowy. The average annual temperature is about 5.5 ℃,A place suitable for sake brewing because of the location of the cold spring water of the Daisetsuzan system that bears snow all year longIt can be said.
Kamikawa Daisetsu Brewery is a brewery that was born in a way that changed the common sense of the industry, while it is said that it is quite difficult to issue a new sake brewery license. Established using an extremely rare method of transferring a manufacturing license from Nakamura Co., Ltd., a dormant brewery in Mie Prefecture.
What Kamikawa Daisetsu Brewery is aiming for"Drinks to drink"It seems to be. “Drink” means “Hokkaido dialect” which means “drinks”.Create the ultimate food drink that can snuggle up to any dishWe are making efforts toward this goal. Kamikawa Daisetsu Brewery sake isn't very popular outside Hokkaido, so if you're lucky, please don't hesitate to drink it.