As the saying goes, "Where there is famous water, there is famous sake," there are many sake breweries in the Takahashi River basin.
It is said that local sake from Bitchu even appears in the ancient poetry collection, the Manyoshu.
An event called "Banjoy Bitchu Jizake Fes SAKEbe!!", where such historically rich Bitchu local sake gathers, was held again in 2024. I will report on the first day's events.
What is the 4th Banjoy Bitchu Jizake Fes SAKEbe!!
The Banjoy Bitchu Jizake Fes SAKEbe!! is a tasting event themed around "drinking and learning" to let local people know the deliciousness and charm of local sake from the Bitchu region in Okayama Prefecture.
In 2024, it was the 4th event, held annually in June. This year, it took place over two days on June 8 (Saturday) and June 9 (Sunday).
![[Held on 6/8 (Sat) and 6/9 (Sun)] 4th Banjoy Bitchu Jizake Fes SAKEbe!! - A gathering of Bitchu sake breweries. A sake event that local people should definitely taste.](https://media.kuratoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/23003743/IMG_2674.jpg)
On the day of the event, a total of 37 booths, including 34 sake breweries, craft beers, and food vendors, as well as 3 dessert vendors, gathered at Geibunkan Hall in Kurashiki City.
Please check the following image for details of the vendors.
June 8 (Saturday) Morning Venue Overview
I visited the venue as soon as the event started on the first day, June 8 (Saturday).
By 11 AM, there were many customers present, and within 30 minutes, nearly 80% of the dining area was filled, indicating the high level of interest in the event.
According to the event staff, not only locals from Kurashiki City but also people involved in sake and sake rice from other regions, including Kanto, came to the event.
On that day, there were also musical performances on stage, creating a space where attendees could enjoy their time with sake and food.
Casually Trying Local Sake
Since it is the "Bitchu Jizake Fes," I definitely wanted to enjoy some sake.
At the Banjoy Bitchu Jizake Fes SAKEbe!!, all the sake breweries offer tastings for about 300 yen per cup, allowing attendees to casually try the sake that catches their eye from the pop-up signs or labels.
When ordering sake at a bar, it is usually served in a small cup or a full measure, which can take time to drink due to the high alcohol content. However, at this event, a small amount of sake is poured into plastic cups.
For those who usually do not drink sake, the amount and price are reasonable enough to think, "I could drink this much," while for those who enjoy sake regularly, it provided an opportunity to taste various kinds of sake they may not have tried before.
KAMIKOKOROSHUZO CO., LTD. Sparkling Sake "Shuwashuwa"
I started my tasting with KAMIKOKOROSHUZO CO., LTD.'s Sparkling Sake "Shuwashuwa".
In recent years, enjoying sake in wine glasses has gained attention. This "Shuwashuwa" seems perfect for such occasions. It is refreshing and easy to drink, with a low alcohol content, making it a great choice for sake beginners.
Houretu Sake Brewing Co.,Ltd. Junmai Ginjo Nama Lily
Next, I tried Junmai Ginjo Nama Lily from Houretu Sake Brewing Co.,Ltd., recommended by Kazuo Nakahara, the owner of Bitchu Jizake Bar Suiyobi, located in the Bikan Historical Area of Kurashiki.
I have liked sake since my student days, but I do not have much specialized knowledge. Therefore, I always ask the owner at izakayas for recommendations.
I have been visiting the Bitchu Jizake Bar Suiyobi since I moved to Kurashiki from Kanto in December 2023, so I asked Nakahara-san to choose a sake that I would like.
Lily is somewhat dry yet refreshing. As I admired the cute label, I was told, "This sake was made as a celebration for the daughter of the brewery when she got married," which made perfect sense.
While many sake labels are cool, a cute label like this makes it easy to give as a gift to women or sake beginners.
Kikuchi Sake Brewing Co.,Ltd. Koji Amazake
Finally, I tried Kikuchi Sake Brewing Co.,Ltd.'s Koji Amazake. This sweet sake made only from rice koji is non-alcoholic, so it can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Additionally, since the weather was sunny and the temperature was high that day, amazake was perfect for preventing heatstroke. The rich sweetness of the rice koji made it a drink I would like to keep stocked in my refrigerator this summer.
Enjoying "Banjoy Bitchu Jizake Fes SAKEbe!!" for All Ages
The "Banjoy Bitchu Jizake Fes SAKEbe!!" is a sake event, but it also features a variety of food that pairs well with sake and desserts that serve as palate cleansers.
Sato Beni Shoten's "Grilled Chicken on Iron Plate" is a menu exclusive to the food stalls. Their product "Fukiya's Beni Daruma" is available for unlimited topping, which seems to pair well not only with sake but also with beer.
36’s Crepe had a line of families waiting. Pregnant women and children who cannot drink alcohol can also enjoy delicious sweets, so there were many families participating.
Selecting Tableware that Pairs with Sake
Next to the main tent, there was also a sale of sake cups that pair well with sake.
The sake cups ranged from those made by students of Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts to those made by artisans.
Just like the food stalls, the makers of the sake vessels are present at their booths, allowing you to see the makers' faces and purchase their works directly.
“The color changes depending on how the light hits it,” “This is the student works corner, but there are also some works by professors mixed in. Please try to find them and feel the differences,” I was also taught about the points to consider when choosing sake vessels and how to enjoy the works.
In particular, the students' works are reasonably priced, so it seems you can enjoy sake at home by purchasing your favorite sake along with a matching sake vessel.
Conclusion
With each passing event, the number of participants is increasing at the Bichu Sake Festival SAKE be!!
In 2024, approximately 5,500 people attended over two days, and the event concluded.
The venue was filled with many customers of all ages. It was clear that both the vendors and the staff, as well as the participants, look forward to this event every year, creating a lively atmosphere.
For sake lovers, as well as those who want to enjoy sake in the future and those who cannot drink alcohol, it seems that it was a two-day event where they could become familiar with Bichu's local sake.
It is said that the “Bichu Sake Festival SAKE be!!” will continue to be held in the coming years, so if you have the opportunity, please consider participating.
Data for the 4th Bichu Sake Festival SAKE be!!
| Name | 4th Bichu Sake Festival SAKE be!! |
|---|---|
| Date | June 8 (Saturday): 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM June 9 (Sunday): 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Location | 1-18 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free admission |
| Homepage | Bichu Sake Festival SAKE be!! Facebook Page |
