When you hear "jizake," doesn't it sound delicious?
Jizake refers to "sake produced in a specific region and rooted in that region."
In other words, it is sake that can only be tasted in that particular area.
Therefore, tasting jizake in a place you visit for tourism or business is a pleasure for sake lovers, isn't it?
Okayama Prefecture is actually a hidden sake-producing area.
That's why there are many types of jizake!
"What kinds of jizake are there?" "Which jizake suits me?"
If possible, I want to compare various jizake.
Searching for something that matches your taste is also a fun experience.
A recommended place for such occasions is "Jizakeya," located in the center of Kurashiki.
At Jizakeya, within a 30-minute time limit, you can drink as much of the recommended jizake selected by the staff as you like, and if you find one that suits you, you can buy it on the spot.
Of course, you can also drink the specific brands you request.
Not only can you drink, but the staff also shares stories about the characteristics of each brand and the sake breweries, which is a highlight.
Moreover, the jizake is stored with careful attention to its condition.
That's why you can enjoy delicious jizake.
I would like to introduce "Jizakeya," a recommended place for sake lovers.
Jizakeya is a store that offers a wide variety of jizake from Okayama Prefecture
As the name suggests, Jizakeya sells sake from breweries in Okayama Prefecture.
It is operated by TRY Co., Ltd., the same company that runs "Tomiya Honpo" and "Tomiya Honpo Annex."
Jizakeya is located in Achi, Kurashiki City, at the Nagaya gate of Ohashi House.
According to the Okayama Prefectural Sake Brewers Association's website, there were 44 sake breweries in the prefecture as of 2020.
Jizakeya handles sake from over 30 of those breweries.
Inside the store, there is a wide selection of carefully chosen jizake.
The sake for sale is mainly in four-go bottles.
The reason for focusing on four-go bottles is to prioritize condition.
That's why you can enjoy jizake in a delicious state.
The interior of Jizakeya utilizes the Nagaya gate of Ohashi House, creating a charming atmosphere.
The basic way to enjoy the sake is by standing.
Tasting course where you can compare your favorite jizake within a time limit
Jizakeya does not just sell jizake.
There is a tasting course called "Five Senses Tasting Course" where you can actually compare jizake on the spot!
Within a 30-minute time limit, you can drink as much of the recommended jizake as you like.
You can also specify any jizake you are interested in to drink.
The fee is 2,000 yen (excluding tax).
A daily changing snack is included.
You can't really understand the goodness of sake without experiencing its taste and aroma.
So being able to actually drink and find your favorite jizake is a very pleasant service.
However, there are some jizake that cannot be tasted.
Once the sand in the hourglass starts to fall, the tasting begins.
The tasting ends when all the sand in the hourglass has fallen.
If you pay an additional 2,000 yen, you can start a second tasting.
If you feel, "I still want to drink more!" or "I want to try various kinds to find my favorite jizake," please consider adding it.
▼ "Kokage no Sakana" from Kamikokoro in Yorishima
It has a sweet and sour flavor that is reminiscent of white wine, which is hard to believe is sake.
▼ I liked "Daizen Shirakiku Okayama Asahi Rice 55" from Shirakiku Sake Brewery in Takahashi City, so I bought it to take home.
At Jizakeya, you can also drink individual jizake.
The price starts from 500 yen (excluding tax) per cup.
In addition to jizake, you can also enjoy craft beer produced in Okayama Prefecture.
If you think, "I can't drink that much," or "I want to savor one type," the individual option is recommended.
Furthermore, you can change the sake vessels to enjoy jizake in a different atmosphere.
The price starts from 1,200 yen (excluding tax) for three 40-milliliter sake vessels.
You might wonder, "I don't know what kind of jizake is good," or "I'm not familiar with sake."
But don't worry, even in such cases.
The staff at the store will select recommended jizake for you and explain the highlights in an easy-to-understand manner.
Information as of July 2020. Prices exclude consumption tax.
Snacks that go well with sake!
Even though you can do a tasting, you might want something to snack on.
Of course, Jizakeya also offers recommended snacks that pair perfectly with jizake.
Among the snacks you can enjoy at Jizakeya, two standout items that you should definitely try are:
- Chiyagyu Beef Roast Beef
- Sake Treasure Akahira
▼ The Chiyagyu Beef Roast Beef is homemade.
The affiliated "Tomiya Honpo" offers Chiyagyu beef, and "Tomiya Honpo Annex" is a specialty store for Chiyagyu dishes.
This is a luxurious snack that only a store well-versed in Chiyagyu can provide.
Another recommendation is "Sake Treasure Akahira."
This is a delicacy made by soaking mullet roe in sake lees and drying it.
It has a unique soft texture that is fluffy, with a deep flavor that is both sweet and salty, and also has a hint of bitterness.
It can truly be said to be a perfect accompaniment for sake.
By the way, there is also a set menu of local sake and daily changing side dishes.
A fun place for sake lovers, the local sake shop.
We interviewed the representative director of TRY Co., Ltd., Kusudo Tomio.
Local Sake Shop Data
| Name | Local Sake Shop |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-21-32 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-441-7877 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 2:30 PM - 8:00 PM |
| Regular Holidays | Monday, Sunday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Website | Local Sake Shop |
