When asked, "What local sake do you recommend?" do you have a local sake that you can confidently recommend?
In December 2024, Japan's "traditional sake brewing" was designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Japan's SAKE culture has begun to attract attention from around the world. In this context, I think it would be cool to be able to recommend local sake from my own region.
In fact, there are many sake breweries in the Bichu region, including Kurashiki, but their recognition is not very high.
One reason for this is that sake, including Japanese sake, often comes in large bottles, making it difficult to have the opportunity to "try a sip."
An event perfect for those who want to taste various local sake from local breweries and find their favorite sake will be held on June 7 (Saturday) and 8 (Sunday), 2025, at Geibunkan Hall in Kurashiki City.
What is the 5th Enjoy Bichu Jizake Festival SAKEbe!!?
Enjoy Bichu Jizake Festival SAKEbe!! is a paid tasting event aimed at introducing and enjoying Bichu's local sake among local people.
On June 7 (Saturday) and 8 (Sunday), 2025, 15 sake breweries and distilleries from the Bichu region, along with 15 food vendors, cake and crepe shops, coffee and sake ware stores, will gather at Geibunkan Hall in Kurashiki City.
Note that the opening hours differ: the first day is from 11 AM to 5 PM, and the second day is from 10 AM to 4 PM.
Admission is free on both days.
There will also be a stage program, allowing you to enjoy music while swaying your body with delicious local sake and food.
At the food booths, you can only enjoy sake served in tasting cups. Please take home any purchased bottles of sake.
Overview of the 4th Enjoy Bichu Jizake Festival SAKEbe!!
The Enjoy Bichu Jizake Festival SAKEbe!! is now in its 5th edition.
The 4th Enjoy Bichu Jizake Festival SAKEbe!!, held in 2024, reportedly had about 5,500 participants over two days.
There were also sweets and stage programs, so families participated, and since it was an outdoor event, some visitors brought their dogs in carts.
Interview with Kazuo Nakahara, the event organizer
I spoke with Kazuo Nakahara, the event organizer, about the highlights of this event.
Please tell us the purpose of the Enjoy Bichu Jizake Festival SAKEbe!!
Nakahara (no honorifics)
We hold this event with the desire to introduce the sake breweries of the Bichu region to local people.
Japan's "traditional sake brewing" has been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, but are there people who do not know the sake from their own region?
If so, I think that is a great loss.
The venue is Geibunkan Hall in Kurashiki City, which is easily accessible from JR Kurashiki Station and the Bikan Historical Area, so I want people who feel that attending a brewery-hosted event is a bit of a hurdle to feel free to participate.
If you find a sake brewery you like at this event, please consider purchasing their sake or attending events they host independently.
It is important for local people to take an interest in local sake breweries. This is the main goal.
Since it is "local sake," will there be vendors other than sake?
Nakahara
Of course.
"Local beer" is also a type of local sake. In addition to Japanese sake, shochu and liqueurs are also included as "local sake."
The Seno Sake Brewery, which is participating for the first time, produces barley shochu and mirin.
When you buy mirin at supermarkets, there is an age verification, right?
That is because mirin is considered "alcohol."
Seno Sake Brewery is small, so they do not have their own events, but I hope this will be an opportunity for people to learn about this store that has been cherished by the local community for a long time.
Please tell us how to enjoy the event on the day.
Nakahara
On the day, various local sake from different breweries will be offered at a price starting from 300 yen per cup, with a serving size of about 60cc, which is less than the usual ochoko (sake cup).
Many foods from local vendors will also be available, so please try tasting and find your favorite sake.
If you find a sake you like on the day, I recommend purchasing it to take home.
For those who have participated in previous events, I hope you will invite someone who has never attended this event before.
Please enjoy the goodness of local sake while laughing and having fun together.
Please give a message to the readers.
Nakahara
On the day, sake brewers from the Bichu region will gather.
We hold this event with the desire for local people to support local sake, so please come with your family and friends.
We look forward to your visit.
Conclusion
I also participated in the 4th Enjoy Bichu Jizake Festival SAKEbe!! held last year.
I was surprised to see so many sake breweries in Bichu, and I was also amazed at how all the vendors were smiling and generously serving. It is an event where both vendors and customers can enjoy themselves together with smiles.
At the venue, there were not only sake and food but also many sake ware items from artists, including students from Kurashiki University of Science and the Arts, which made it a fun time to think about how to enjoy the sake I purchased.
I hear there will be a sake ware sales corner in 2025 as well, so I am already excited.
Because June has no holidays, having sake that you can enjoy at home makes it feel like you can do your best.
How about visiting Geibunkan Hall in Kurashiki City on June 7 and 8 to find your favorite local sake?
Data for the 5th Enjoy Bichu Jizake Festival SAKEbe!!
| Name | 5th Enjoy Bichu Jizake Festival SAKEbe!! |
|---|---|
| Date | June 7 (Saturday) 2025, 11 AM - 5 PM June 8 (Sunday) 2025, 10 AM - 4 PM |
| Location | 1-18-1 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (tax included) | Free admission |
| Website | Official Instagram |
