Alcoholic Beverages in Japan
When traveling in Japan, many foreign visitors have a drink when eating at restaurants or going out. The Japanese themselves also like drinking very much, so Japan has a lot of alcoholic beverages in Japan for you to choose from. In terms of classification, there are far more alcoholic beverages than in western countries. The Japanese wine culture originated about 2,000 years ago as they had the technology for making wine. Japanese wine has more than 700 kinds of aromas and more than 100 kinds of wine. In each district in Japan, they have their own unique local wine. The unique brewing technology of each region is combined with the innovative methods of young modern winemakers. There is a diversified choice of Japanese sake now.
Japanese Sake (Nihonshu)
Japanese sake has almost become the name of Japanese wine, also known as Japan's national sake. People generally refer Japanese sake as sake. In fact, in Japan, the only wine made from rice is called sake. Sake has a low alcohol content, usually around 15 to 16 percent. Because high-quality rice and clean water are the main ingredients of sake, the sake brewed with Koji also has a clear and transparent, overflowing, refreshing fragrant. According to high demands from people, adding a variety of sweet and spicy taste, the multi-flavor sake has become a must-have drink in Japanese daily life.
Whenever there is a formal banquet, the Japanese family is usually served with sake to show their grandeur. At the same time, sake is an essential, must-have drink in Japanese cuisine. Japan's famous sake production areas are concentrated in the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions, as well as in Fukuoka and Kumamoto.
Shochu in Japan
The delicious Japanese shochu is produced in the same way as whiskey, brandy, vodka, rum, and other alcoholic beverages. It uses the principle that water and alcohol have different boiling points and is brewed and then distillation, which is commonly known as distilled liquor. The more common raw ingredients are Japanese rice, wheat, sweet potatoes, etc, where the alcohol concentration can reach to about 25 percent.
The awamori, which originates in Okinawa, Japan, is a traditional shochu. It is special because the ingredients used are not Japanese rice, but Thai rice or indica rice. The alcohol concentration is as high as 50 percent to even 60 percent. Okinawa locals are accustomed to drinking awamori with ice, water, or cocktails together. There are many ways to drink Japanese shochu, including mixing it with water, ice, tea, fruit juice, and more. It is said that if you put an empty glass in the refrigerator beforehand, the flavor and taste of shochu will be even better with the cold glass.
Japanese Beer
When it comes to the origin of beer in Japan, it has to be said that in 1870, the first brewery that settled in Yokohama was the predecessor of Kirin beer. Unlike other countries, many Japanese coffee shops and tea shops also sell beer. There are four major brands of beer: Kirin, Asahi, Suntory, and Sapporo. In the supermarket, most often you will see these four beer brands, as each brand tastes somewhat different.
In addition to these four major brands of today's beer, there are also local specialties such as Karuizawa beer, or Okinawa's famous Orion, as well as craft beer. It is not hard to see how much the Japanese love their beer. In Japan, you must be over 20 years old to purchase and drink beer. Japan is very strict about age, if you are not 20 years old, do not buy beer in a Japanese supermarket or retailer.
Japanese Whiskey
The history of Japanese whiskey is not long. The two main brands, Suntory and Yijia were established in the 1920s and 1930s. In the 1950s, Japan, the economy was prosperous where they experienced rapid in the whiskey industry. It reached its peak in the mid-1980s and a large number of new factories emerged. There are not many old whisky distilleries in operation located in Japan today, except for Suntory's Yamazaki and Hakushu, Yoichi and Miyagikyo, Fuji Gotemba of Kirin Group (Fuji-Gotemba), Mars Shinshu by Honbo Shuzu, and White Oak Akashi.
In recent years, the supply of whiskey has fueled a revival in the market and new are being established. Some establishments include Chichibu, established by the Fetu family of Hanyu's founders, Honsho's newly established Mars Tsusunuki in Kagoshima, Akkeshi in Hokkaido, as well as Kanosuke, Sakurao, and Yuza distillery, which have just completed this year. Japanese whisky comes from Europe and is still too hard to follow for the traditional whiskey brewing process. But the Japanese have blended the subtlety and restraint of the East into the taste of Japanese whisky. As a foreign visitor, you may be visiting Japan to taste its unique special Japanese whiskey.
Japanese Wine
Many wine lovers have heard of Japanese wine, but may not be familiar with it. Today, the average annual wine consumption in Japan is 3.3 liters, which is the highest in Asia. There are about 140 wine regions, large and smell located throughout Japan. There are about 250 wineries in Japan. In Japan, wines are made entirely from domestic grapes named Japanese wine, and in recent years, they have become more and more popular with domestic consumers. In the 1990s, many ordinary wines between 400 and 1,600 yen could be found in Japanese supermarkets. These low-quality Japanese wines, produced in large quantities are purchased to drink as if they were alcoholic juices.
However, in recent years, Japanese wine has made great progress. The Japanese wine industry has everything from sparkling wine, white wine, red wine, pink wine, to sweet white wine. Good Japanese wine is around 2,000 to 4,000 yen (about 120 to 250 yuan). The price of high-end Japanese wine is around 7,000 to 16,000 yen.
Below are some of the Japanese wine brands we recommend:
Coco Farm, Yoichi Pinot Gris 2014 Hokkaido
Grace Wine, Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu 2015 Yamanashi
Grace Wine, Hishiyama Vineyard Private Reserve Koshu 2015 Katsunuma
Haramo, Vintage Koshu 2014 Yamanashi
Katsunuma Jyozo, Aruga Branca Brilhante 2012 Yamanashi
Kurambon, Sol Lucet Koshu 2015 Yamanashi
Ch Mercian Koshu 2011 Yamanashi
Rubaiyat Koshu 2012 Yamanashi
SoRyu Koshu 2014 Yamanashi
Suntory, Tomi No Oka Koshu 2014 Yamanashi
Suntory, Japan Premium Muscat Bailey A 2013 Nagano
Takahiko Soga, Nana-Tsu-Mori Pinot Noir 2014 Hokkaido
As a reliable Japan travel agency, we are happy to provide you budget Japan group tours, and private car/limousine service, if you need more information on Tokyo tours, and Tokyo limousine service, please feel free to contact our specialists.
When traveling in Japan, many foreign visitors have a drink when eating at restaurants or going out. The Japanese themselves also like drinking very much, so Japan has a lot of alcoholic beverages in Japan for you to choose from. In terms of classification, there are far more alcoholic beverages than in western countries. The Japanese wine culture originated about 2,000 years ago as they had the technology for making wine. Japanese wine has more than 700 kinds of aromas and more than 100 kinds of wine. In each district in Japan, they have their own unique local wine. The unique brewing technology of each region is combined with the innovative methods of young modern winemakers. There is a diversified choice of Japanese sake now.
Must-Try Alcoholic Beverages in Japan
In addition to beer, wine, and whiskey, Japan also has unique sake and shochu in the country. When traveling in Japan, you can easily buy a variety of Japanese alcoholic beverages at the supermarket. You can also purchase it at bars, izakaya, and restaurants, which are also the best places to have a drink. Because the classification of alcoholic beverages in Japan is very detailed, we will briefly introduce the five major types of alcoholic beverages available in Japan.Japanese Sake (Nihonshu)
Japanese sake has almost become the name of Japanese wine, also known as Japan's national sake. People generally refer Japanese sake as sake. In fact, in Japan, the only wine made from rice is called sake. Sake has a low alcohol content, usually around 15 to 16 percent. Because high-quality rice and clean water are the main ingredients of sake, the sake brewed with Koji also has a clear and transparent, overflowing, refreshing fragrant. According to high demands from people, adding a variety of sweet and spicy taste, the multi-flavor sake has become a must-have drink in Japanese daily life.
Whenever there is a formal banquet, the Japanese family is usually served with sake to show their grandeur. At the same time, sake is an essential, must-have drink in Japanese cuisine. Japan's famous sake production areas are concentrated in the Tohoku and Hokuriku regions, as well as in Fukuoka and Kumamoto.
Shochu in Japan
The delicious Japanese shochu is produced in the same way as whiskey, brandy, vodka, rum, and other alcoholic beverages. It uses the principle that water and alcohol have different boiling points and is brewed and then distillation, which is commonly known as distilled liquor. The more common raw ingredients are Japanese rice, wheat, sweet potatoes, etc, where the alcohol concentration can reach to about 25 percent.
The awamori, which originates in Okinawa, Japan, is a traditional shochu. It is special because the ingredients used are not Japanese rice, but Thai rice or indica rice. The alcohol concentration is as high as 50 percent to even 60 percent. Okinawa locals are accustomed to drinking awamori with ice, water, or cocktails together. There are many ways to drink Japanese shochu, including mixing it with water, ice, tea, fruit juice, and more. It is said that if you put an empty glass in the refrigerator beforehand, the flavor and taste of shochu will be even better with the cold glass.
Japanese Beer
When it comes to the origin of beer in Japan, it has to be said that in 1870, the first brewery that settled in Yokohama was the predecessor of Kirin beer. Unlike other countries, many Japanese coffee shops and tea shops also sell beer. There are four major brands of beer: Kirin, Asahi, Suntory, and Sapporo. In the supermarket, most often you will see these four beer brands, as each brand tastes somewhat different.
In addition to these four major brands of today's beer, there are also local specialties such as Karuizawa beer, or Okinawa's famous Orion, as well as craft beer. It is not hard to see how much the Japanese love their beer. In Japan, you must be over 20 years old to purchase and drink beer. Japan is very strict about age, if you are not 20 years old, do not buy beer in a Japanese supermarket or retailer.
Japanese Whiskey
The history of Japanese whiskey is not long. The two main brands, Suntory and Yijia were established in the 1920s and 1930s. In the 1950s, Japan, the economy was prosperous where they experienced rapid in the whiskey industry. It reached its peak in the mid-1980s and a large number of new factories emerged. There are not many old whisky distilleries in operation located in Japan today, except for Suntory's Yamazaki and Hakushu, Yoichi and Miyagikyo, Fuji Gotemba of Kirin Group (Fuji-Gotemba), Mars Shinshu by Honbo Shuzu, and White Oak Akashi.
In recent years, the supply of whiskey has fueled a revival in the market and new are being established. Some establishments include Chichibu, established by the Fetu family of Hanyu's founders, Honsho's newly established Mars Tsusunuki in Kagoshima, Akkeshi in Hokkaido, as well as Kanosuke, Sakurao, and Yuza distillery, which have just completed this year. Japanese whisky comes from Europe and is still too hard to follow for the traditional whiskey brewing process. But the Japanese have blended the subtlety and restraint of the East into the taste of Japanese whisky. As a foreign visitor, you may be visiting Japan to taste its unique special Japanese whiskey.
Japanese Wine
Many wine lovers have heard of Japanese wine, but may not be familiar with it. Today, the average annual wine consumption in Japan is 3.3 liters, which is the highest in Asia. There are about 140 wine regions, large and smell located throughout Japan. There are about 250 wineries in Japan. In Japan, wines are made entirely from domestic grapes named Japanese wine, and in recent years, they have become more and more popular with domestic consumers. In the 1990s, many ordinary wines between 400 and 1,600 yen could be found in Japanese supermarkets. These low-quality Japanese wines, produced in large quantities are purchased to drink as if they were alcoholic juices.
However, in recent years, Japanese wine has made great progress. The Japanese wine industry has everything from sparkling wine, white wine, red wine, pink wine, to sweet white wine. Good Japanese wine is around 2,000 to 4,000 yen (about 120 to 250 yuan). The price of high-end Japanese wine is around 7,000 to 16,000 yen.
Below are some of the Japanese wine brands we recommend:
Coco Farm, Yoichi Pinot Gris 2014 Hokkaido
Grace Wine, Cuvée Misawa Akeno Koshu 2015 Yamanashi
Grace Wine, Hishiyama Vineyard Private Reserve Koshu 2015 Katsunuma
Haramo, Vintage Koshu 2014 Yamanashi
Katsunuma Jyozo, Aruga Branca Brilhante 2012 Yamanashi
Kurambon, Sol Lucet Koshu 2015 Yamanashi
Ch Mercian Koshu 2011 Yamanashi
Rubaiyat Koshu 2012 Yamanashi
SoRyu Koshu 2014 Yamanashi
Suntory, Tomi No Oka Koshu 2014 Yamanashi
Suntory, Japan Premium Muscat Bailey A 2013 Nagano
Takahiko Soga, Nana-Tsu-Mori Pinot Noir 2014 Hokkaido
As a reliable Japan travel agency, we are happy to provide you budget Japan group tours, and private car/limousine service, if you need more information on Tokyo tours, and Tokyo limousine service, please feel free to contact our specialists.
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Most Frequently Asked Questions
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Can you recommend a Japanese beer brand?Personally, the Kirin beer is at the top of the list, which has a bitter taste, but the aftertaste is sweet and rich in foam. Bulk Kirin beer in many Japanese restaurants tastes better.
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What is Japan's national wine?Sake can be regarded as the national wine of Japan, with a long history and the most alcoholic drink in Japan. The alcohol percentage is usually around 15 to 16 percent. Because of the high-quality rice and clean water used as the ingredients, the taste is refreshing. It is recommended that you taste it if you are visiting Japan.
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Where is the most famous wine-producing area near Tokyo?There are about two hundred wineries in Japan, almost half of which are located in the Yamanashi Prefecture at the foot of Mount Fuji. It is home to more than 30 of Japan's oldest vineyards and wineries and the wine town of Katsunuma-cho, Koshu is known as Japan's wine country. Among the best-known elites include Central Wine (Grace), Château Mercian, Marubeni wine (Rubaiyat), etc.
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Can your company arrange a visit to a winery in Japan?We can arrange for a visit to Japan's winery for you, where you can visit the oldest wine-making company in Yamanashi Prefecture. Japan's main wine-producing regions are Hokkaido, Yamagata, Niigata, Yamanashi, Nagano, Shiga, Tochigi, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, and Miyazaki. Just let us know the time and your preferences.
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What is the most famous Japanese whiskey?Japanese whiskey is now one of the best whiskeys in the world. Japanese people have learned the craft of whiskey manufacturing from the West. After continuous progress and incorporating Japanese cultural genes, the taste of their whiskey is full and tender.
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Can I buy vodka in Japan?Yes, you can buy vodka in Japan. Larger supermarkets and bars sell vodka, usually from Russia, Finland, and Poland.
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What are the most famous beer brands in Japan?Japan's top beer brands are Kirin, Asahi, Sapporo, Orion, and Suntory.
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Can you arrange a visit to a sake brewery?For foreign visitors, we usually arrange a sake brewery tour in Osaka and Kyoto, but reservations are required in advance to visit the sake brewery. There will be sake tasting during the visit and you can also purchase some sake to take home if you would like.
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What is the legal age from which you can drink?You have to be at least 20 years of age to drink in Japan.
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