A Sake Experience for Curious Minds
This is not a typical sake tasting.
Designed for curious travelers, food lovers, and cultural explorers, this experience explores how sake is enjoyed in Japan—shaped by geography, climate, and everyday life.
Rather than judging sake as simply good or bad, you will learn how to taste it in a relaxed, intuitive way.
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Part 1: How to Taste Sake – Chart Game & 4 Selected Tastings
Many people find sake difficult to fully enjoy because they are not sure what to look for when tasting.
In this session, we introduce a simple and intuitive tasting framework based on:
・Sweetness & dryness
・Acidity
・Umami richness (body)
Using a specially designed tasting chart, you will place each sake where you feel it belongs. There are no right or wrong answers—this game-like approach helps you build confidence quickly.
You will taste four carefully selected styles of sake during this session.
Part 2: Temperature Matters – Cold Sake vs. Warm Sake
Next, you will taste the same sake served cold and warm.
This unique experience shows how temperature changes aroma, texture, and umami — a key aspect of Japanese sake culture that cannot be understood through explanation alone.
Rather than analysis, you are invited simply to notice the difference and enjoy the change.
Part 3: Sake Terroir & Local Food Pairing
Kahoku Brewery is located near Fukuroda Falls, in Daigo Town, a mountain basin region in northern Ibaraki.
This area is known for:
・Clear river water from the Kuji River system
・Hot summers and very cold winters
・Natural conditions that deeply influence fermentation
You will explore how sake is traditionally enjoyed with food, not as a luxury item, but as part of everyday life. Enjoy three local food pairings, such as:
・Vanilla ice cream
・Dried sweet potato
・Sashimi-style konjac
Through these pairings, you will experience how sake, food, and place are connected.
Part 4: Sake Kasu – Fermentation as a Cycle
You will discover how sake kasu has long been used as food, drink, and culture in Japan.
・Taste sake kasu liqueur
・Learn about sake before it is born, and what remains after pressing
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Finale: Wear a happi & Photo Session
To conclude the experience:
・Wear a traditional happi coat
・Take commemorative photos to remember (and share) your experience
・Tokkuri and ochoko set as our premium souvenir
(Optional sake-related goods are available for purchase.)
