The first day of spring has passed, and although it is spring according to the calendar, the days are still cold.
In recent years, events called “sake brewery open days,” hosted by breweries, have been increasing across Japan, and we are seeing them more often in the news and elsewhere.
Many breweries in Okayama also hold open days, but Kumaya Sake Brewery’s “Ishichi New Sake Festival” is often the first to be held in Okayama Prefecture, and has become a well-established local event that draws many sake fans every year.
Although it was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic (in 2021 and 2022), this year (2024) it is being held normally for the first time in a while.
Here is a report on the delicious new sake and the must-try gourmet food.
The information presented is current as of the article’s publication in February 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is the “Ishichi New Sake Festival”?
The “Ishichi New Sake Festival” was held at Kumaya Sake Brewery in Hayashi, Kurashiki City, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, 2024.
- Paid sake tasting corner
- Sale of “Kanshibori,” a new sake available only on the day
- Free amazake
- Various food stalls, and more
It is an event where you can enjoy delicious sake and food.
Since this is an alcohol-related event, you cannot drive there, but free shuttle buses ran from Chayamachi Station and JR Kurashiki Station on the day.
I visited the “Ishichi New Sake Festival”
I arrived almost as soon as the gates opened at 9 a.m., but despite it being so early, the venue was already bustling with visitors, and a long line had formed to register for the limited-sale “Kanshibori”.
Free amazake was also being served.
As you would expect from a brewery’s amazake, its rich flavor, with a pronounced koji taste, was delicious. It was very popular with people who cannot drink alcohol and with children, too.
To sample the new sake, purchase a ticket (500 yen) at the reception desk, then enjoy three kinds of sake selected by the brewery at the paid tasting corner in the back.
After finishing, you can choose three more kinds to sample at the refill tasting corner.
If you find a sake you like during the tasting, you can buy it at the sales corner.
Those familiar with the event buy their favorite sake here and enjoy it in the dining area at the back.
It may seem like an event that only sake lovers can enjoy, but the dining area at the back, featuring plenty of local food, is also well stocked, so I think people of all ages and genders can enjoy it.
Brewery-exclusive sake “Kanshibori”
The brewery-exclusive sake “Kanshibori” is sold only at the New Sake Festival each year, and is positioned somewhat like Beaujolais Nouveau.
As you would expect of a new sake, it has a very crisp flavor and is easy to drink, with no strong aftertaste. However, its alcohol content is a little high, making it dangerously easy to drink for someone like me, who has a low tolerance for alcohol.
The “Gonai” shown in the photo is named after the area where Kumaya Sake Brewery is located (the Gonai district of Kurashiki City). It is a heartfelt sake brewed using Asahi rice grown in this district.
Okonomiya
Okonomiya is an okonomiyaki restaurant with a physical location in Kojima. It often sets up stalls at various events and participates in Kumaya Sake Brewery’s New Sake Festival every time.
The proprietress and her daughter were cooking efficiently despite being busy.
When I told them I was writing an article, they said, “Make sure you give us a good plug!” (laughs)
Large, fluffy akashiyaki enjoyed outside in the cold.
The aroma of the broth was incredibly appetizing.
By the way, they also sold takoyaki and octopus tempura, in addition to akashiyaki.
The restaurant offers a variety of menu items, so I’d like to visit its permanent location next time.
Garyu Tatsumi
Garyu Tatsumi is an izakaya in Okayama City that also specializes in game dishes.
This time, they were serving “Wild Boar Bone Soy Sauce Chuka Soba” and “Momotaro Chicken Karaage.”
The chuka soba was offered at the generous limited-time price of 700 yen.
It looks like a typical soy sauce and tonkotsu ramen, but the chashu was also made with wild boar meat, giving it a chewier texture than pork.
The broth was rich yet easy to drink, making it perfect for finishing off a night of drinking.
From the Writer
Around 11:30 a.m., Kurashiki City Mayor Ito Kaori also came to the event.
It has been well over a decade since the “Ishichi New Sake Festival” began.
In the early days, it was an event known only to a select few, and people would often say, “I had no idea there was a sake brewery in a place like this!”
However, sampling and promotional events at AEON MALL Kurashiki and Ario Kurashiki, along with expanding sales channels outside the prefecture through product centers and other efforts, have gradually raised awareness of the “Ishichi” brand.
I think it has now become one of the events that represents the local area.
This is also a sake brewery I have known well since childhood, and I am very happy that, with each passing year, so many people from all over come to the event.
The surrounding area is also known as “Shin-Kumanozan,” centered around Kumano Shrine, and is a historic place surrounded by venerable shrines and temples.
May the sake brewing that has been passed down continuously in such a place continue to flourish.
Thank you, President Iori!
I’m looking forward to next year’s event.
Ishichi New Sake Festival Information
| Name | Ishichi New Sake Festival |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, February 11, 2024 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. |
| Location | 705 Hayashi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Admission (tax included) | Free admission |
| Website | Kumaya Sake Brewery (Okayama Tourism WEB) |
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