Sake
Tottori Prefecture
blessed with a rich natural environment
suitable for sake brewing
The mild taste of Tottori's sake
enhances the flavors of seafood dishes
Located in the Chugoku region, Tottori Prefecture is home to Mount Daisen, the highest peak in the region. Clean air and quality water provided by its mountain range create an excellent environment for growing excellent sake rice. Brewed under such favorable conditions, Tottori's sake is mild on the palate. It's not only enjoyable on its own but also pairs well with a variety of delicious seafood unique to a region that faces the Sea of Japan.
A long history and “jizake” culture nurtured by the rich environment and people's dedication
As represented by Inata Honten, a sake brewery founded in 1673 that continues to this day, Tottori's “jizake” local sake culture boasts a long history of about 350 years and is still favored by local people. Such a time-honored jizake culture is the result of the abundant nature and efforts of the people dedicated to local sake production who have cherished the tradition while respecting and appreciating nature.
Most of the sake beverages produced in Tottori are “junmai-shu,” which is a kind of sake made using only rice, “kome-koji” rice malt and water. As the “Goriki” sake rice grown only in the prefecture also indicates, Tottori's commitment to sake brewing can be seen in all aspects from growing its own rice. Made using soft water, its sake has a smooth and delicate taste. However, that alone is not enough to produce good sake. The dedication of the local people who strive for an even better result without resting on the favorable conditions of the prefecture is what makes Tottori's sake so delightful.
Owing to its natural blessings of the Sea of Japan, Tottori is a treasure trove of seafood. It is a perfect destination where you can savor authentic Japanese cuisine, which uses “dashi” broth made from seafood to bring out the original flavors of the ingredients in addition to salt and soy sauce. Sake refined carefully with great attention to details by the sake brewers from different areas of Tottori enhances the taste of Japanese food.
Tottori's sake complements
local cuisine
Sake breweries are scattered throughout the eastern and western parts of the prefecture, with each producing its own unique flavor. Brewery tours are also available at some locations, so why not try the different tastes of sake along with enjoying the local cuisine?
Select Area
Western/Central/Eastern
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Sake
EAST Suwa Shuzo
Located in the historical Chizu district that once flourished as a post town, Suwa Shuzo is known for its sake with a mellow flavor, made using water sourced from the nearby Sendai River. Tastings of its sake including the signature “Suwaizumi” brand are available at the adjacent store.
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Sake
EAST Nakagawa Shuzo
Located in central Tottori City, Nakagawa Shuzo has the longest history in eastern Tottori Prefecture. Its representative brand is “Fukujukai,” which has been produced since its establishment in 1828. The brewery also has a store.
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Tour
CENTRAL Otani Shuzo
With more than 100 years dedicated to sake production in Kotoura town at the foot of Mount Daisen, Otani Shuzo is famous for the “Takaisami” brand known for its refreshingly dry taste. Brewery tours are available upon making a reservation.
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Tour
WEST Chiyomusubi Sake Brewery
Founded in 1865, Chiyomusubi Sake Brewery can be found on the famous Mizuki Shigeru Road. It offers a wide variety of sake including its representative “Chiyomusubi” series as well as sparkling sake. Brewery tours are available upon making a reservation.
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Tour
WEST Inata Honten
Since its establishment in 1673, the historic brewery has been dedicated to keeping the jizake culture alive. It's also known for such brands as “Inatahime” and “Top Suirai.” A tour of the brewery (reservation only) and tasting (fee-based) service are also available.
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Sake
WEST Kumezakura Daisen Brewery
Founded in 1856, the brewery has been making sake at the foot of Mount Daisen, the highest peak in the Chugoku region. Its high-quality sake made using subsoil water rich in minerals from Mount Daisen and branded rice grown on nourished soil has been well received.
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Sake
CENTRAL Fukura Sake Brewery
Named after the bright stars shining in the sky of Tottori, its representative “Hoshitori” brand has a distinctive star-shaped label. Fukura Sake Brewery strives to ever be better while staying true to its traditions inherited since 1889. (No brewery tours are available.)
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Sake
CENTRAL Nakai Sake Brewery
There is a Japanese saying that “Where there is good water, there is good sake.” True to these words, Nakai Sake Brewery uses subsoil water rich in minerals from Mount Daisen. Its signature “Yashio” brand was developed in pursuit of the optimal balance between sweetness and acidity.
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Sake
CENTRAL Gensui Sake Brewing
The brewery is committed to making sake based on the motto “enriching life.” Its “Gensui Junmaidaiginjo Genshu” has a refreshing aroma and is easy to drink.
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Beer & Whiskey
WEST Bier Hof Gambarius (Daisen-Oki National Park)
Located at the hillside of the Daisen-Oki National Park, the restaurant offers the local beer “Daisen G Beer,” which is brewed with subsoil water at an altitude of 300 m above sea level and offered in four different flavors. Fresh beer delivered from the brewery on site pairs perfectly with sausages and spare ribs.
Select Area
Western/Central/Eastern
-
Sake
EAST Suwa Shuzo
Located in the historical Chizu district that once flourished as a post town, Suwa Shuzo is known for its sake with a mellow flavor, made using water sourced from the nearby Sendai River. Tastings of its sake including the signature “Suwaizumi” brand are available at the adjacent store.
-
Sake
EAST Nakagawa Shuzo
Located in central Tottori City, Nakagawa Shuzo has the longest history in eastern Tottori Prefecture. Its representative brand is “Fukujukai,” which has been produced since its establishment in 1828. The brewery also has a store.
-
Sake
WEST Kumezakura Daisen Brewery
Founded in 1856, the brewery has been making sake at the foot of Mount Daisen, the highest peak in the Chugoku region. Its high-quality sake made using subsoil water rich in minerals from Mount Daisen and branded rice grown on nourished soil has been well received.
-
Sake
Central Fukura Sake Brewery
Named after the bright stars shining in the sky of Tottori, its representative “Hoshitori” brand has a distinctive star-shaped label. Fukura Sake Brewery strives to ever be better while staying true to its traditions inherited since 1889. (No brewery tours are available.)
-
Sake
Central Nakai Sake Brewery
There is a Japanese saying that “Where there is good water, there is good sake.” True to these words, Nakai Sake Brewery uses subsoil water rich in minerals from Mount Daisen. Its signature “Yashio” brand was developed in pursuit of the optimal balance between sweetness and acidity.
-
Sake
Central Gensui Sake Brewing
The brewery is committed to making sake based on the motto “enriching life.” Its “Gensui Junmaidaiginjo Genshu” has a refreshing aroma and is easy to drink.
Select Area
Western/Central/Eastern
-
Beer & Whiskey
WEST Bier Hof Gambarius (Daisen-Oki National Park)
Located at the hillside of the Daisen-Oki National Park, the restaurant offers the local beer “Daisen G Beer,” which is brewed with subsoil water at an altitude of 300 m above sea level and offered in four different flavors. Fresh beer delivered from the brewery on site pairs perfectly with sausages and spare ribs.
Select Area
Western/Central/Eastern
-
Tour
Central Otani Shuzo
With more than 100 years dedicated to sake production in Kotoura town at the foot of Mount Daisen, Otani Shuzo is famous for the “Takaisami” brand known for its refreshingly dry taste. Brewery tours are available upon making a reservation.
-
Tour
WEST Chiyomusubi Sake Brewery
Founded in 1865, Chiyomusubi Sake Brewery can be found on the famous Mizuki Shigeru Road. It offers a wide variety of sake including its representative “Chiyomusubi” series as well as sparkling sake. Brewery tours are available upon making a reservation.
-
Tour
WEST Inata Honten
Since its establishment in 1673, the historic brewery has been dedicated to keeping the jizake culture alive. It's also known for such brands as “Inatahime” and “Top Suirai.” A tour of the brewery (reservation only) and tasting (fee-based) service are also available.
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How to Get There
Tottori Prefecture can be reached via Tottori Airport and Yonago Airport, which can be respectively accessed from Tokyo in about 1 hour and 20 minutes. In addition, the area is easily accessible from Osaka and Hiroshima by land using highways and JR trains, which lets you enjoy great views of rural Japan. Why not spend your trip to Japan in Tottori and discover an entirely enchanting side of Japan?
Accommodations can be booked through the ANA WORLD HOTEL website.
By Air
- From Haneda Airport to Tottori Airport: Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes
- From Haneda Airport to Yonago Airport: Approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes
By Land
From Osaka:
- Approximately 3 hours by bus
- Approximately 3 hours by train
From Hiroshima:
- Approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes to
5 hours and 30 minutes by bus - Approximately 3 hours by train