Guest Author - Taisha Turner

Sake is one of the most popular drinks in Japan. The rice wine plays an important part in the country’s culture and history. It is considered the “drink of the Gods.”

Sake is now gaining in popularity outside of Japan. Interested tourists flock to the country to view and learn the steps in the production process.

Sake breweries are now offering tours in English. If there is no English speaking tour guide, English-language brochures are supplied. Later this year, some will start giving lectures in English on the production process.

Brewery tourists witness the sake production. The “kura,” a traditional storehouse, is open for viewing. This is the oak casks’ storage area. After the tour, sake is available for tasting. The cups of sake range from JPY200-JPY500. The cups are kept as souvenirs.

Sake comes in various flavors. It depends on the local rice, water, culture and cuisine.

There are many breweries in the Tokyo area. A visit makes a great day trip out of the city. Go learn and sample fragrant, mature, light and smooth, and rich sakes with the brewers.

A link to the article 'Japan's Omisoka-New Year's Eve' is added. In the article, sake's part in the holiday celebration is told. Feel free to read the article.

Overindulged in a bit of sake, a bowl of cold or hot soba noodles is a quick filling meal. Read the article on cold soba noodles. An article on hot soba noodles is forthcoming.

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