One of the pleasures of travel is local sake. Here are some delicious recommendations for local sake made in the blessed nature of Awaji Island, as well as stores where you can drink sake from long-established sake breweries that continued to make sake despite the severe damage caused by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.
Table of Contents
Sennenichi Sake Brewery
Sennenichi Sake Brewery has been making local sake in Higashiura, Kita-awaji for over 140 years. It is a historical sake brewery that makes sake only by hand. The sake is carefully made with local Awaji Island rice and water.
Super Special “Sennennichi”
| Alcohol degree | 16-17% |
| Sake degree* | +2 |
| Rice polishing ratio** | 70％ |
| Taste | rich, umami |
*A sake degree indicates a level of dryness. A plus mark and higher the number is, the dryer a sake is. A negative mark and the higher the number is, the sweeter a sake is.
** A rice polishing ratio indicates how much brown unpolished rice is polished to get a white rice. By polishing, unfavorable taste can be removed, but at the same time, if too much is removed, it loses umami as well. Therefore, a percentage influences a taste of sake.
The Original “Awaji”
| Alcohol degree | 19-20% |
| Sake degree | +2 |
| Rice | “Nihonbare” |
| Taste | Mild sweet aroma, well matured and mellow taste |
Miyako Bijin Brewery
Miyako Bijin Brewery is located in Minami-Awaji City. Since its establishment the brewery has continued to produce sake using the Yamahai method, which takes more time and work than other methods. By using both Yamahai and Sokujo methods, the brewery has been able to create a thicker sake with a deep and refreshing flavor that can be enhanced by being warmed up.
Junmai Ginjo “Akatsuki no Miyako Bijin”
| Alcohol degree | 15.5% |
| Sake degree | ＋4.5 |
| Rice polishing ratio | 55％ |
| Rice | “Gohyakumangoku” |
| Taste | crisp, clear and dry |
Yamahai Junmai “Kumo no Miyako Bijin”
| Alcohol | 15.5% |
| Sake degree | ＋3.7 |
| Rice polishing ratio | 65％ |
| Rice | “Gohyakumangoku” |
| Taste | Deep aroma characteristic of Yamahai brewing. Thick and dry sake. |
Yamahai Junmai “Super Dry”
| Alcohol | 15.5% |
| Sake degree | ＋14 |
| Rice polishing ratio | 65％ |
| Rice | “Gohyakumangoku” |
| Taste | It goes well with strong flavored dishes and can be enjoyed at room temperature or hot. |
Awaji Shichifukujin (Seven Lucky Gods) Beer
This craft beer was born in the gourmet food complex, Tango Okoku, in the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture. This craft beer has an original Awaji Island label with a vivid illustration of the seven gods of good fortune that originated on Awaji Island. It comes in a variety of flavors, allowing you to enjoy pairing it with your meal.
| Alcohol | 5% |
| Ingredients | [LONDON ALE] Malted barley (made in England), hops [MEISTER] Malted barley (made in Germany), hops, rice, cornstarch [WEIZEN] Wheat malt (made in Germany), barley malt, hops [SMOKED/AMBER ALE/PILSNER/MARZEN] Malt (made in Germany), hops |
Restaurants Where You Can Drink Local Sake
Hajimari no Shima: Aman no Shokutaku
Available brands of sake are: Sennenichi (cold sake), Sennenichi Super Special (room temperature or hot sake), Miyako Bijin Junmai Ginjo (room temperature or hot sake), Awaji Seven Lucky Gods Beer
Click here for reservations Utage Click here for reservations Sajiki
| Name | Aman no Shokutaku １F Utage ２F Sajiki |
|---|---|
| Address | 1042 Nojima-Tokiwa, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1726 |
| Tel | "Utage” 0799-70-9089 “Sajiki” 0799-70-9090 |
| Operation Hours | “Utage”: Weekdays 11:00~21:00 (L.O. 20:00) / Sat., Sun. & Holidays 10:30~21:00 (L.O. 20:00) “Sajiki” 11:00~15:00 / 17:00~21:00 (L.O.19:30) Closed: Tuesdays |
| Website | https://amannoshokutaku.jp/ |
| Reservations: Utage | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/aman-utage/reserve |
| Reservations: Sajiki | https://www.tablecheck.com/en/shops/aman-sajiki/reserve |
Click here for details of Aman no Shokutaku
SEIKAIHA “Aonoya”
Available brands of sake are: Special Junmai Sennenichi (cold), Super Special Sennenichi, Junmai Ginjo Akatsuki no Miyako Bijin, Awaji Seven Lucky Gods Beer
| Name | SEIKAIHA - Aonoya |
|---|---|
| Address | 70 Nojima-okawa, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1723 |
| Tel | 0799-70-9020 |
| Website | https://awaji-seikaiha.com/aonoya/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1022838-d21197787-Reviews-Seikaiha_Aonoya-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
| Operating Hours | 11:00~15:00 (Last In 14:00, L.O. 14:00) 17:00~21:00 (Last In 19:30, L.O. 20:00) Closed: Thursdays |
Click here for details of SEIKAIHA - Aonoya
Ocean Terrace
Available brands of sake are: Sennenichi Original “Awaji”, Miyako Bijin Yamahai Junmai (Kumono Miyako Bijin), Miyako Bijin Yamahai Junmai (Super Dry), Awaji Seven Lucky Gods Beer
We have introduced delicious local sake made by sake breweries. When you visit Awaji Island, be sure to enjoy a glass of local sake to accompany your meal. Awaji Shichifukujin Beer is also available at our online store and is a popular souvenir.
| Name | Ocean Terrace |
|---|---|
| Address | 816 Nojimahikinoura, Awaji City, Hyogo Pref. 656-1721 |
| Tel | 0799-82-1907 |
| Website | https://ocean-terrace-awaji.jp/ |
| Reservations | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g1022838-d17354212-Reviews-Ocean_Terrace-Awaji_Awaji_shima_Hyogo_Prefecture_Kinki.html |
| Operation Hours | Lunch 11:30~15:00 (L.O.14:00) / Dinner 17:00~21:00 (L.O.20:00) |
