Sponsored by\u00a0Saga Prefectural Tourism Federation<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Before I tell you about the old Japanese legend and this mythical mummy, let\u2019s start with a few drinks, shall we? The brewery has all of their spirits out for taste testing, and you are on your own to do so! Pictured, you see all the nihonshu, <\/em>and their tastes are arranged from sharpest to sweetest. Test for yourself to see which ones you like. Check out all the varieties of sak\u00e9 at the brewery here<\/a>, and wait until you\u2019ve finished sampling the nihonshu<\/em> before you move on to the award-winning liquor I was telling you about\u2026<\/p>\n
The brewery\u2019s Plum Nankobai<\/em>, labeled \u201cPrune Liquor\u201d on the bottles, is the 2013 national award winner for the best plum wine in the country. This is a big honor, considering the fact that plum wine itself is a liquor only produced in Japan. For those of you wondering what plum wine is in the first place, it\u2019s a liquor made out of three key ingredients: fresh young plums, white liquor (simple mixing liquor), and sugar. Many people, including myself, make a batch at home when plums are in season around June. But many famous and smaller labels make plum wine for the public, too. Though tastes vary for different brands, I find most umeshu to be rather too sweet, often drinking it with water or soda, and only sometimes on the rocks. The plum wine here are a lot smoother, and easy to drink on its own. The alcohol content of the ones sold here are between 12-14%, but don\u2019t throw it back like delicious candy…your body won\u2019t forgive you the next day for the amount of sugar you\u2019ve taken in! Regardless, plum wine is unique to Japan and delicious. Trying the nation\u2019s best is a must. Check out the plum wine products here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Sadly, I missed a visit to Koimari Shuzo<\/a> (due to holiday closures), which is another famous sak\u00e9 brewery in the region. This brewery is famous for producing the nationally recognized sak\u00e9 called One Cup<\/em>, most often than not found in conbini <\/em>(Japanese convenient stores) and other shops offering cheap alcohol. While a regular blue-labeled One Cup<\/em> can be found anywhere, picking up a cup in Imari brings extra flavor and fun to the mix. Imari is famous for the beautiful Imari-Arita ware. So in places like the brewery or Ookawachiyama\u2019s pottery village, visitors can pick up a One Cup NOMANNE<\/em><\/a> that comes in this pottery ware. Pictured is the one I chose, but people can choose a cup out of four different designs.<\/p>\n
Information:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
Matsuura Ichi Shuzo Sak\u00e9 Brewery<\/a><\/p>\n
Address:<\/strong> 312 Yamashirocho, Kusuku, Imari, Saga Prefecture 849-4251<\/p>\n
Hours:<\/strong> 9:00 – 16:00<\/p>\n
Phone:<\/strong> 0955-28-0123<\/p>\n
Admission: <\/strong>Free<\/p>\n
Koimari Shuzo<\/a> (Japanese),\u00a0 English webpage<\/p>\n
Address:<\/strong> 3288-1 Nakasato-Kou Niri-cho Imari-shi, Saga, Japan<\/p>\n
Hours: <\/strong>call to confirm hours<\/p>\n
Phone: <\/strong>0955-23-2516<\/p>\n
Admission: <\/strong>Free<\/p>\n
24\/7 Assistance available in\u00a0English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese,Russian,Thai, Korean, Chinese (Mandarin & Cantonese), Vietnamese and \u00a0Indonesian!!<\/p>\n