I feel that the fine sake made by toji (master brewers) using Bitchu’s water and rice has great potential, yet remains relatively unknown.
I want more people to discover it, taste it, and enjoy it.
I went to “The 3rd Enjoy Bitchu Local Sake Festival SAKE Be!!,” an event that sake lovers couldn’t resist, held out of the passionate love for Bitchu local sake shared by a small izakaya.
The information presented here is current as of when this article was published in July 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Overview of “The 3rd Enjoy Bitchu Local Sake Festival SAKE Be!!”
“The 3rd Enjoy Bitchu Local Sake Festival SAKE Be!!” (hereafter, the Bitchu Local Sake Festival) was held for two days, June 10 and 11, 2023, at Geibunkan Hall Plaza.
The first festival was held in 2019. This is the third, following the 2022 event, held for the first time in three years.
About 5,100 people attended, far exceeding the 4,000 in 2022. People of all ages, from children to seniors, gathered to taste and enjoy the offerings.
A lively atmosphere, delicious sake and food to savor
There were 20 booths in all, including 15 Bitchu sake breweries, two breweries, and three sweets booths.
At an affordable price of 300–500 yen for a 60 cc cup, visitors could enjoy a variety of Bitchu local sake.
At each booth, a brewery was paired with a local food vendor connected to it, making 17 booths in total.
The clever ways they promoted their local areas were exciting, too.
There were also booths offering sweets for those who don’t drink alcohol.
The event was so popular that by the second day, booths were displaying sold-out notices.
The dining area, with more than 530 seats, was filled with smiling faces.
The savory aromas and lively atmosphere lifted my spirits.
Horetsu Shuzo
First, I stopped by Horetzu Brewery, drawn in by the impact of its name.
They recommended three kinds of unfiltered nama-zake, and I bought one of them: “Ouhoretsu Akihikari Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu.”
The sake rice used to make sake in Okayama is best known for Omachi, which originated in Okayama, and Yamada Nishiki, an improved variety of Omachi. Akihikari rice is unusual.
It was dry, but refreshing, with a lingering finish.
Perhaps the spring water from the upper reaches of the Ukan River brings out its umami.
Mabi Bamboo Forest Beer Brewery
There was local beer as well as sake.
I stopped by Mabi Bamboo Forest Beer Brewery and bought its happoshu, “Sasa.”
I was pleased with its fruity, refreshing taste.
The brewery faced an uncertain future after its parent organization announced it would withdraw from beer brewing, but with support from the community, it reportedly made a fresh start in spring 2023 under new management and at a new location.
Sweets, food and event booths, too
There were sweets vendors, too. On the first day only, the lemonade shop “KURASHIKI LEMONADE STAND Moka Lemon” took part to support children with cancer.
Every year in the United States, Lemonade Stand Day is held on June 12 to raise awareness of childhood cancer.
In Japan, the 2023 event was held on June 10 and 11, the same dates as this festival.
And on both days, it was held at 27 locations across 17 prefectures in Japan.
▼ Of course, plenty of delicious food was there, too.
Local vendors from near the breweries set up booths alongside them.
There was yakitori and there were hamburgers—the connections between the vendors and breweries are worth noting, too.
There were coffee and sweets corners as well, so even those who don’t drink alcohol could enjoy themselves.
▼ A mini-concert was also held by the local orchestra, “Kurashiki Citizens’ Wind Orchestra Green Harmony.”
▼ There were also colorful, distinctive guinomi sake cups exhibited by students from Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts.
From the Writer
I was surprised to see so many people of all ages gathered at a sake event.
Those who drink should make an effort to enjoy sake, too. There’s no need to judge or critique it. Let’s enjoy Bitchu local sake!
I think the organizers’ words and initiative resonated with so many people and created a place filled with smiles.
I also had the chance to hear the many stories of the breweries, brewers, and local food vendors who took part.
A cup enjoyed with respect for the makers and an appreciation of their passion tastes exceptional and leaves you feeling enriched.
Let’s all enjoy Bitchu local sake.
The next festival is scheduled for June 8 and 9, 2024.
If it takes place, be sure to go.
3rd En-joy Bitchu Local Sake Festival SAKE Be!! Information
| Name | 3rd En-joy Bitchu Local Sake Festival SAKE Be!! |
|---|---|
| Date | June 10, 2023, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. June 11, 2023, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. |
| Location | 1-18-1 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Geibunkan Hall Plaza |
| Admission (tax included) | Admission is free |
| Website | En-joy Bitchu Local Sake |
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