Sake and shochu from Shizuoka

How do water, climate and rice shape Shizuoka sake?

Shizuoka stretches about 155 km east to west. Water stored in Mt. Fuji, the Akaishi range and the Amagi mountains feeds rivers such as the Fuji, Oi, Abe, Tenryu and Kano. The groundwater and Fuji spring water are mostly soft, and they underpin the light, rounded style. The prefecture's own sake rice is Homare Fuji, developed in 2006 from a mutation of Yamada Nishiki.

What does Shizuoka sake taste like?

The National Tax Agency's GI standard describes Shizuoka sake as low in acidity, light with a gentle savoury depth, and built on a soft banana-like aroma. Junmai ginjo and ginjo can show fruit notes such as melon. It combines a soft mouthfeel with a clean, quick finish, and suits local seafood such as bonito, tuna and raw shirasu whitebait.

A short history of Shizuoka sake

Sake became a common drink in the Edo era, when 22 post towns on the Tokaido road served travellers with local sake. The "Shida toji", who came from the Shida plain at the mouth of the Oi River, supported brewing, and later breweries also hired toji from other regions, which raised skills through competition. In the 1970s and 80s the prefectural laboratory and breweries worked together to develop Shizuoka yeast. At the 1986 national new sake competition, 21 breweries from the prefecture entered and 10 won gold, drawing wide attention.

What is the GI "Shizuoka"?

It was designated for sake on 30 November 2023. Sake must use only Japanese rice (grade 3 or better) and water taken in the prefecture. It must be fermented with Shizuoka yeast (other yeasts designated by the association may be used only together with it). It must meet the requirements of a special-designation sake, and be brewed, stored and bottled in Shizuoka. The Shizuoka Sake Brewers Cooperative checks it.

Where are the breweries?

The association introduces its breweries in three areas: east, central and west. According to the GI document, most breweries lie along the old Tokaido road in the coastal south of the prefecture.

Visiting and what to eat with it

The prefectural brewers' association holds events such as the Shizuoka Local Sake Festival. Tours often need a reservation, so check official sites. The association says sake made with Homare Fuji goes well with Japanese food and also with cheese and ham.