Historic Breweries that House the World’s Best Sake
Hamashuku was developed as a post station on the Nagasaki Kaido road during the Edo period, and later it developed in the brewing industry such as Japanese sake and soy sauce, fishery, and the marine product processing industry.
Walking down a side street within the quaint Hizen Hamashuku quarters of Kashima city you will come across an inconspicuous brown building with a large blue cloth sign that is the home of Fukuchiyo Shuzo. Within the wooden sliding doors is the world’s best sake – at least according to the International Wine Challenge, where Fukushiyo Shuzo’s refreshing and fragrant Nabeshima Daiginjo sake was named champion in 2011. Winning the honor as best sake in the world has drawn international interest to Hizen Hamashuku and the three sake breweries operating in the area that for hundreds of years has also been referred to as Sakagura-dori (Sake Brewery Street) are drawing tourists from all over the world.
Currently, three sake breweries, Fukuchiyo Shuzo, Mitsutake Shuzo, Minematsu Shuzo here and sake shops line on the road which is called Sakagura-dori (Sakagura Street). It is popular to drink and purchase sake, and many tourists visit not only from Japan but also from overseas. Visitors can enjoy sake in the same atmosphere as travelers from 200 and 300 years ago, as the area has been well-preserved and maintains its Edo Era charm. In the spring, the event “Sake Brewery Tourism” is held, and more than 80,000 visitors come from all over the country.
In addition, traditional white-walled buildings are beautiful, Sakagura-dori is also known as a spot for photography. It is selected as the Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, historical area recognized as highly valuable in the country.
Walking down a side street within the quaint Hizen Hamashuku quarters of Kashima city you will come across an inconspicuous brown building with a large blue cloth sign that is the home of Fukuchiyo Shuzo. Within the wooden sliding doors is the world’s best sake – at least according to the International Wine Challenge, where Fukushiyo Shuzo’s refreshing and fragrant Nabeshima Daiginjo sake was named champion in 2011. Winning the honor as best sake in the world has drawn international interest to Hizen Hamashuku and the three sake breweries operating in the area that for hundreds of years has also been referred to as Sakagura-dori (Sake Brewery Street) are drawing tourists from all over the world.
Currently, three sake breweries, Fukuchiyo Shuzo, Mitsutake Shuzo, Minematsu Shuzo here and sake shops line on the road which is called Sakagura-dori (Sakagura Street). It is popular to drink and purchase sake, and many tourists visit not only from Japan but also from overseas. Visitors can enjoy sake in the same atmosphere as travelers from 200 and 300 years ago, as the area has been well-preserved and maintains its Edo Era charm. In the spring, the event “Sake Brewery Tourism” is held, and more than 80,000 visitors come from all over the country.
In addition, traditional white-walled buildings are beautiful, Sakagura-dori is also known as a spot for photography. It is selected as the Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings, historical area recognized as highly valuable in the country.
