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- Fukuoka
Kurume, One of Japan’s Three Top Sake-Producing Regions
Kurume is famous for its Japanese sake! Wine and other alcoholic beverages are also produced in Kurume, one of Japan’s three major sake-producing regions.
The city of Kurume in Fukuoka Prefecture is described as one of Japan’s three major sake-producing regions. Kurume is famous not only for its Japanese sake, but also for Kyoho Winery, which has been called the Provence of Kyushu.
The Annual Opening of the Jojima Sake Breweries is Kyushu’s largest Japanese sake event. At this event, which takes place in February every year, visitors can taste the Japanese sake produced by the sake breweries of Kurume. Choice sake, created from quality rice and clear water, is a specialty product of Kurume. Kurume also has many famous wines, including those produced at the Kyoho Winery in Tanushimaru-machi.
Savor the delights of fine sake at one of Japan’s three major sake-producing regions
With its abundance of water sources and good-quality rice, the Chikugo region has long had a flourishing sake industry. Even today, it boasts some of Japan’s most well-known sake breweries, and, along with Nada in Kobe and Fushimi in Kyoto, it is described as one of Japan’s three major sake-producing regions. As well as Japanese sake, Kurume also produces shochu, liqueurs, wine, and other alcoholic beverages. Come and enjoy a cup of local sake paired with delicious local cuisine.
Kyushu’s largest Japanese sake event, the Annual Opening of the Jojima Sake Breweries.
Sake that has been brewed with meticulous care over the winter months starts to release rich aromas as the weather grows warmer. In February to March, the season of the new brews, the sake breweries open up to the public. The Opening of the "Jojima Breweries", which takes place in February every year, is Kyushu’s largest Japanese sake event, attracting some 100,000 visitors. As well as the chance to taste the breweries’ newly brewed sakes, visitors can enjoy food and sake stalls, “power hot pot,” local specialty products, and the breweries’ own original kasuzuke (fish and vegetables pickled in sake lees). Free shuttle buses operate on the day, allowing visitors to enjoy the sake to their heart’s content.
Kyoho Winery, “the Provence of Kyushu”
Situated on the side of the Mino Mountain Range, Kyoho Winery has the perfect location overlooking the vast expanses of the Chikugo Plain. As well as producing the first wine made from Kyoho grapes here in Kurume, the winery also produces a range of unique wines made from other fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, and persimmon. The cellar door offers tastings and sales. At "Heurige", the restaurant where visitors can enjoy food and wine, you can try Heurige wine, a rare young wine that is not usually available to the public, gazing out at the views below.
Location
| Name | Kurume City |
|---|---|
| Web Sites | http://www.kurume-hotomeki.jp/ |
| Address | Various locations in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 45 minutes by highway bus from Fukuoka Airport Approx. 17 min. by Shinkansen from JR Hakata Station Approx. 40 min. by limousine taxi from Saga Airport |
| Inquiries | Kurume Bureau of Tourism and International Exchangehogehoge |