I spoke with Kazuo Nakahara, the owner of "Bitchu no Jizake Bar Suisuihi," which offers local sake made in Bitchu at a sake brewery in the Bikan Historical Area.
Bitchu offers a variety of local sake reflecting seasonal land conditions
As the name suggests, Suisuihi only deals with "Bitchu no Jizake." Can you tell us why?
Nakahara
I am the second-generation owner, and this shop was started by the first-generation owner with the concept of "dealing with Bitchu sake."
Okayama Prefecture is one of the leading sake-producing regions in Japan, and nearly half of the sake breweries in Okayama Prefecture are concentrated in this Bitchu area, including Kurashiki. Bitchu has mountains, the sea, and rural areas, and of course, it has four seasons. Various local sake from different lands and seasons can be fully covered by Bitchu sake.
I heard that before becoming the owner of Suisuihi, you were a chef. Can you tell us what sparked your interest in Bitchu sake?
Nakahara
I am from Tamashima in Kurashiki. I started my training as a chef at an inn in the Bikan Historical Area when I was 17 and studied in Kyoto for several years.
After returning to Okayama, I worked as a chef at inns and kaiseki restaurants in Okayama, including Kurashiki.
My interest in sake began when I was running my own shop in Okayama City.
As someone who provides alcohol to customers, I studied sake so that I could properly answer any questions they had. Sake is made from just water and rice. That is already fascinating. As I thought, "I want to know more!" and helped out at sake breweries, I ended up here as the owner of Bitchu no Jizake Bar Suisuihi through a fortunate connection.
The person from the brewery who taught me about managing sake back then still comes to Suisuihi today. I am very grateful.
Since then, I have wanted to spread the deliciousness of Bitchu sake, which encapsulates all the characteristics of Japan's land, including mountains, the sea, and rural areas, and stretches long from north to south.
I want everyone to drink delicious sake, laugh, and be happy
Are there any tips for choosing and drinking sake?
Nakahara
When drinking sake, you shouldn't furrow your brow. If you drink with a smile and find it delicious, that's enough.
Sake is generally delicious.
That sense of "deliciousness" is not something that can be dictated by others, and there is no such thing as bad sake. Certainly, everyone has their own "preferences," but what is delicious for someone is still delicious.
So, while there may be things that "don't suit" you, you should not deny someone else's feeling of "deliciousness."
Of course, I study sake. When a customer says, "This is delicious!" I need to choose a sake that the customer might like for their second glass or answer if they ask how it is made. As a professional, I do not neglect that study.
It is natural to want to know more about the sake you think is delicious. I think it is good to learn about that sake at such times, but I don't think you need to study to drink sake.
At Suisuihi, I want customers to drink delicious sake, laugh, and be happy.
Not only the sake but also your cooking is one of the highlights. What do you prioritize when providing your dishes?
Nakahara
I provide flavors that cannot be eaten at home. I charge for it, and I am a chef. I take great care in preparing each dish.
So, I am very happy when customers ask me, "How do you make this?" It means they found it delicious enough to want to know how it was made.
When customers ask me how to make it, I certainly share the information. However, it seems that even if they make it at home as I taught them, it doesn't taste exactly the same.
When a customer returns saying, "I want to eat this again," I can't help but smile. I am truly grateful that repeat customers come even from outside the prefecture.
Is there anything you keep in mind while running Suisuihi?
Nakahara
This is a fun place where everyone can laugh together.
As long as customers leave having had fun and laughing, that is enough for me, so I enjoy communicating with the customers myself. I am happy when first-time customers enjoy interacting with other customers by the time they leave.
To provide dishes that make customers happy, I carefully prepare them.
To ensure customers enjoy themselves, I have knowledge about sake.
To make customers smile, I pay attention to each group's situation while serving them.
All of these are things I do naturally without needing to remind myself.
I believe that the accumulation of these small efforts is what leads to customers returning.
I want people in Okayama Prefecture to know the charm of Bitchu sake
What kind of people do you want to convey the charm of Bitchu sake to?
Nakahara
First of all, I want the people of Okayama Prefecture to drink Bitchu sake. There are really good sakes in Bitchu, and I want the locals to take pride in their local sake.
The goal of Suisuihi is also to have local people drink Bitchu sake. For that reason, we hold an event every year called "Enjoy Bitchu Jizake Festival SAKEbe!!"
I hold this event every year because I want the people of Okayama Prefecture to casually enjoy Bitchu sake, so please come and visit.
Can you tell us how to enjoy Suisuihi?
Nakahara
You don't need to hold back during your time at Suisuihi.
I want to provide things that make everyone laugh and happy. The customers who come here want to enjoy delicious food and have a good time while laughing. That is why they come.
So, I prepare a place where everyone can laugh and have fun.
Finally, please give a message to the readers.
Nakahara
This Bitchu area in Okayama Prefecture is one of the leading sake-producing regions in the country. There is rice, and beautiful rivers flow through, making all the sake delicious, but it is a shame that the people of Okayama Prefecture do not realize its charm.
Therefore, I want not only tourists but also the locals to drink the sake from the Bitchu area and support the breweries.
Thank you very much!
Conclusion
I have a hearing impairment, so I sometimes go out for drinks with friends who also have hearing impairments.
With a hearing impairment, it can often be difficult to hear what others are saying or for the person with the impairment to convey what they want to say, so even if I go to a counter seat at an izakaya, it is challenging to communicate like other customers.
However, at Suisuihi, even if I bring someone with a hearing impairment, they always think of ways to communicate directly so that the message gets across, allowing us to leave with smiles. That is why Suisuihi is one of the places where I can confidently bring friends with hearing impairments.
Whether you are not very familiar with sake or a sake lover, you are very welcome. Why not spend a fun and laughter-filled night at Bitchu no Jizake Bar Suisuihi, where a variety of delicious sake and dishes are prepared daily?
Data on Bitchu no Jizake Bar Suisuihi
| Name | Bitchu no Jizake Bar Suisuihi |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-13-3 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Ikeda Building 1st Floor |
| Contact | 086-434-3142 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 6 PM - 11 PM |
| Regular Holiday | Monday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservation | Available |
| Seats | 14 seats |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | Bitchu no Jizake Bar Suisuihi Facebook |
