Origin Sake Tours Blog

Stretching from Kobe in the west to Nishinomiya in the east lies the Nada-Gogo (the "Five Villages of Nada"), undisputed as Japan's premier sake-brewing district. Producing roughly a quarter of all sake in Japan, this mighty region is not just an industrial powerhouse—it is a living museum of brewing heritage, natural abundance, and timeless craft. Nada’s rise to prominence began during the Edo period, a golden era for the sake industry. Fuelled by a seemingly insatiable dem

During the Edo period (1603–1868), three iconic sake brands dominated the market: Otokoyama, Kenbishi, and Nanatsu Ume. Their widespread popularity was immortalized by the renowned ukiyo-e artist Kitagawa Utamaro in his famous series Natorizake Rokkasen ("Selected Aristocrats of Sake Compared to Courtesans of Six Houses"). These prints paired celebrated courtesans of the day with the nation's premier sake brands, giving rise to the popular saying: "Sake means Kenbishi, Otokoy

Few sake breweries are as iconic as Nada’s Sakura-Masamune. This is for good reason. Since their establishment in 1625, they have consistently been in the spotlight. Their extensive list of accolades includes discovering Nada’s legendary brewing water (miyamizu), pioneering water-powered rice polishing techniques that revolutionized the industry, serving as the origin for Association Yeast No. 1, and creating the now-ubiquitous "Masamune" brand name. Here is a closer look a