Nada Gogo no Sakagura ［灘五郷の酒蔵］

Nada Gogo no Sakagura Nada Gogo no Sakagura

Nada Gogo is one of the regions in Japan famous for Sake (Japanese rice wine) brewing. Along the coast line that extends approximately 12 kilometers from Nada Ward of Kobe City to Nishinomiya City, five brewing areas can be found: Imazu-go, Nishinomiya-go, Uozaki-go, Mikage-go, and Nishi-go. Approximately 40 Sake manufacturers are located in these areas.
Because Nada is blessed with clean water and rice (both are essential in making Sake) along with the right kind of climate, Sake brewing has actively been conducted since the Edo period.
Miya-mizu is the name given to Nada Gogo's water which was discovered in Nishinomiya during the late Edo period. This is a type of hard water with lots of minerals that serve as nutrients for malt and yeasts. It is extremely suitable to be used for Sake brewing since it hardly contains almost no iron which spoils the taste of Sake.
As for the rice, the Yamadanishiki brand is used. Each grain is big and has body with low protein and fat contents, actualizing Sake that is smooth and fragrant.
In terms of climate, the cold, dry gale blowing down from Mt. Rokko called the Rokko Oroshi helps the creation of excellent Sake fermented at a low temperature.

In Nada Gogo, many breweries of Sake manufacturers such as Ozeki, Nihonsakari, Shochikubai, Kikumasamune, and Sawanotsuru can be found as well as a museums introducting the Sake brewing process and various tools used for it.
You will surely be able to enjoy touring the many wooden breweries in an old-style atmosphere where Sake tasting is also offered.