🕓 2025/5/3
#Japanese sake
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A trip to Ise to soothe your soul with nature and enjoy local sake
table of contents
- What is sake made in Ise?
- Around Ise Shrine“Recommended sake brewery”
- Around Ise Shrine“Recommended Sake Selection”
- Touring Ise Jingu and sake breweriesRu“Model course”
Introduction
Ise Jingu, the spiritual hometown of Japan. When you step into this sacred forest, you will feel the clean air cleansing your soul. Since ancient times, sake has been considered a special entity that connects people with the gods. Here in Ise, the pure water of the Isuzu River, which flows through the sacred precincts of the shrine, and the rich fruit of the earth have cultivated delicious sake that expresses gratitude to the gods.
In this article, while touching on the deep relationship between Ise Jingu and alcohol, we will introduce you to the special sake experience you can enjoy in the temple town of Oharaimachi Okage Yokocho, the many famous sakes that Mie Prefecture is proud of that were featured at the Ise-Shima Summit, and a model itinerary for enjoying a visit to Ise Jingu and a tour of sake breweries. .
- 1. What is sake made in Ise?
- [Ise Jingu area overview information]
- 2. “Recommended Sake Breweries” around Ise Grand Shrine
- 1. Iseman Naiku-mae Sake Brewery | Okage Yokocho’s only “Okage-sama” brewery
- 2. Shirataka Miyake Shoten | The genealogy of “Jingu Imperial Sake” found in Oharaimachi
- 3. “Recommended Sake Selection” around Ise Shrine
- 1. Thanks to you, special pure rice sake | Iseman Naiku-mae Sake Brewery
- 2. Hakutaka Special Limited Liquor Ise Label | Shirataka Miyake Shoten
- 3. Made by Honotomo Junmai Sake | Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten (Suzuka City)
- 4. Rumiko Sake Special Junmai Unfiltered Raw Sake | Moriki Sake Brewery (Iga City)
- 5. Hanzo Junmai Daiginjo｜Ota Sake Brewery (Iga City)
- 4. “Model course” visiting Ise Jingu and sake breweries
- ①｜Enjoy the Geku, Naiku, and Monzen town! Standard walk & sake tasting course
- ②｜Deeply explore the charms of Ise-Shima! Jingu + Sake Brewery + Futamiura Enjoyment Course
- ③｜Have a drink at Okage Yokocho! Easy-to-enjoy sake-tasting light plan
- Finally
1. What is sake made in Ise?
Ise Grand Shrine, the center of Japanese spiritual culture
Ise Grand Shrine, which has deep ties to the imperial family and is revered as Japan’s guardian deity, has attracted people’s faith since ancient times. Surrounded by towering trees, this vast sacred area is filled with a pure spirit and leaves visitors in awe of nature. In the Shinto faith, sake brewed from rice and pure water is considered the best offering to convey gratitude and prayers to the gods, and drinking sake offered in front of the gods (gomizake) is considered a sacred act that allows one to absorb the blessings of the gods into one’s body and deepen one’s connection with the gods.
・Prayers to sacred places and blessings of pure water
At Ise Grand Shrine, a ritual called “Higoto Asayuu Omikesai” is held every day, and sake is offered as part of the meal to the gods. Among the many sake breweries across the country, Shirataka in Nada (Hyogo Prefecture) is the only one to have the honor of being selected as a “Jingu Goryoshu.” The fact that it is not local Mie sake suggests a special historical relationship with Ise Grand Shrine and the existence of strict quality standards (such as traditional Kimoto-zukuri) required for imperial sake.
On the other hand, Isuzu River flows through the sacred area of Ise Grand Shrine and is known as Japan’s representative clear stream. The clear underground water is truly a blessing from God, supporting sake brewing in Monzen Town. Iseman Naiku-mae Sake Brewery, located in Okage Yokocho, brews sake unique to Ise using underground water from the Isuzu River and carefully selected sake rice (such as Yamada Nishiki).
・Scenery where the bustling temple town and the breath of brewing resonate together
Oharaimachi leads to Naiku, and Okage Yokocho is in the middle. Walk through the cobblestone streets crowded with worshipers, enjoy the quaint streetscape, and pass through the noren curtains of Iseman Naiku-mae Sake Brewery, the only sake brewery in Ise. What is especially noteworthy is that there is a sake brewery right behind the store, and you can see the brewing process through the glass and feel the spirit of sake brewing up close.
At the brewery, you can enjoy paid tastings of sake and liqueurs limited to the brewery, including the representative brand “Okage-sama”. Additionally, in Oharaimachi, there is Shirataka Miyake Shoten, a store directly managed by the brewery of the Jingu Imperial Sake Shirataka, where you can purchase and sample special limited edition sake that is only available here. It is a valuable place where you can experience a part of sacred tradition.
・Local sake from Kamito, brewed with gratitude
Iseman’s Okage-sama, brewed with underground water from the Isuzu River, is, as the name suggests, a representative local sake of Ise that expresses gratitude towards the gods and nature. It is characterized by a mellow and gentle taste that harmonizes with the flavor of rice and pure water, and has received high praise both domestically and internationally, including winning a gold medal at the National Sake Awards and a gold medal at the IWC.
In addition, the Jingu Imperial Sake “Shirataka” is produced using traditional brewing methods, and has a dignified dignity and deep flavor, and continues to maintain the quality worthy of being offered before the shrine every day.
Not only in Ise City, but also in Mie Prefecture as a whole, high-quality sake brewing that takes advantage of the unique characteristics of each region is thriving. In 2020, it was certified as a Geographical Indication (GI) “Mie”, and there are many unique and attractive sakes, such as “Zaku”, which was served at the G7 Ise-Shima Summit, and “Rumiko’s Sake”, which was created from the manga “Natsuko’s Sake”.
[Ise Jingu area overview information]
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| location | Ise City, Mie Prefecture |
| access | From Kintetsu/JR “Ise City Station” or Kintetsu “Ujiyamada Station” take a bus or taxi to Naiku/Geku |
| Main tourist destinations | Ise Jingu (Inner Shrine and Outer Shrine), Oharaimachi/Okage Yokocho, Futami Okitama Shrine (Meotoiwa), Sarutahiko Shrine, Tsukiyomi Shrine, etc. |
| Japanese sake spot | Iseman Naiku-mae Sake Brewery (Okage Yokocho), Shirataka Miyake Shoten (Oharaimachi), Ajishokan Morishita Saketen (around Oharaimachi), and other liquor stores in the city |
| Event information | Iseman’s seasonal sake “Rokugatsu Sakubi Shibori” (around June), other local sake events (confirmation required) |
2. “Recommended Sake Breweries” around Ise Grand Shrine
Enjoy the blessings of the sacred area and the bustle in front of the gate all at once
The area around Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho, the temple town of Ise Jingu (Inner Shrine), is dotted with attractive Japanese sake spots that you can easily stop by while visiting the shrine. Why not experience the sake culture unique to Ise in this place where the pure flow of the Isuzu River and the spirit of gratitude to the gods are alive and well? Here, we will carefully select and introduce two particularly recommended hotels.
1. Iseman Naiku-mae Sake Brewery | Okage Yokocho’s only “Okage-sama” brewery
Source: https://www.iseman.co.jp/profile/sakagura/
“Iseman Naiku-mae Sake Brewery”, with its noren curtain hanging in the center of Okage Yokocho, is known as “Ise’s only small sake brewery”. We use the clean underground water of the Isuzu River, which flows through the sacred grounds, and carefully selected rice, such as Yamada Nishiki, to brew our representative brand, “Okakusama”.
There is a sake brewery right behind the store, and you can get a glimpse of the brewing process through the glass, and it’s appealing that you can feel the spirit of sake brewing up close. Its quality has been highly praised, and it has won consecutive gold medals at the National New Sake Awards and gold medals at the IWC (International Wine Challenge).
At the store counter, you can sample a wide variety of products for a fee, including the signature product “Okage-sama” (special Junmai sake, Ginjo sake, etc.), brewery-only raw unprocessed sake (delivery required), nigori plum wine, non-alcoholic amazake, and even original pure malt whisky. The great thing about it is that you can casually enjoy it with local snacks such as Ise takunan. It is located in a location that is easy to stop by after visiting the Naiku shrine.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Official name | Limited partnership company Iseman Naiku-mae Sake Brewery |
| Founding year | – (No information) |
| Main brands | Okusama (Special Junmai, Ginjo, etc.), Brewery Limited Sake, Oimidori, Pure Malt Whiskey Kamiji |
| visit | × (Some parts can be viewed from the store through the glass) |
| Tasting | 〇 (charged) |
| Direct sales office | Available (Limited liquor, liqueur, whiskey, amazake, food, etc.) |
| access | From Kintetsu “Ujiyamada Station” or JR/Kintetsu “Iseshi Station”, take the Mie Kotsu bus and get off at “Naikumae”, then walk for about 5 minutes (within Okage Yokocho) |
2. Shirataka Miyake Shoten | The genealogy of “Jingu Imperial Sake” found in Oharaimachi
Exhibit: https://www.hakutakamiyake.jp/
At Ise Grand Shrine, the “Hibetsu Morning and Evening Oomisensai” continues, where food and drink are offered every morning and evening as the daily meals of the gods. Shirataka, a famous sake from Nada in Hyogo Prefecture, is the only sake in Japan that has been selected as the “Jingu Imperial Sake” that is offered at this ritual.
Shirataka Miyake Shoten, located in Oharai-cho, is the only store in Japan that is allowed to sell the special limited edition sake brewed by the Shirataka brewery to commemorate the honor of being designated as Imperial Sake.
Inside the store, there are Shirataka bottles (180ml, 500ml, etc.) with a special “Ise label” that can only be obtained here, and you can also sample them for a fee. With the famous “Yaki Tamago” as a snack, you can enjoy a precious cup that is connected to the lineage of sake that is offered before the shrine every day. It is a special place where you can experience the living traditions of the shrine while thinking about the historical background of why Nada’s sake was chosen.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Official name | Shirataka Co., Ltd. Miyake Shoten |
| Founding year | – (The year the store was founded is unknown. Shirataka was founded in 1862 (Bunkyu 2)) |
| Main brands | Shirataka Jingu Imperial Sake Special Limited Sake Ise Label |
| visit | × |
| Tasting | 〇 (Paid, along with the famous “Yaki Tamago”) |
| Direct sales office | Yes (limited liquor) |
| access | From Kintetsu “Ujiyamada Station” or JR/Kintetsu “Iseshi Station”, take the Mie Kotsu bus and get off at “Naikumae”, then walk for about 10 minutes (within Oharai Town) |
3. “Recommended Sake Selection” around Ise Shrine
Sake to enjoy along with your visit to Ise Grand Shrine
The sake that is cultivated in the sacred atmosphere of Ise Grand Shrine and the rich climate of Mie has a diverse appeal that combines gratitude to the gods and the blessings of the land. Local sake brewed in front of the gates of Ise Grand Shrine, special sake offered to the gods, and unique sake from all over the prefecture that has been certified as a Geographical Indication (GI) Mie. We have carefully selected 5 bottles of Mie sake that you should try in conjunction with your visit to Ise Grand Shrine, and we will introduce you to their charms.
1. Thanks to you, special pure rice sake | Iseman Naiku-mae Sake Brewery
The only brewery in Okage Yokocho brews this wine using underground water from the Isuzu River, which flows through the sacred grounds, and rice produced in Mie Prefecture (Yamada Nishiki, etc.), making it a truly representative bottle of Ise. The name expresses the spirit of Oise Mairi (Okage Mairi) and the feeling of gratitude towards the gods and nature. Although you can feel the flavor of rice well, it has a clean and soft texture like the water of the Isuzu River. Whether it’s chilled, room temperature, or hot, it takes on a different look at each temperature.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Special pure rice sake |
| taste | The flavor of the rice is strong, the taste is clean and soft, and the expression changes depending on the temperature range. |
| How to drink | Cold sake ○／Room temperature ◎／Hot sake ◎ |
| Compatible dishes | Ise pickled radish, grilled fish, miso dengaku, general Japanese side dishes |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Tasting and purchase available at Iseman Naiku-mae Sake Brewery (in Okage Yokocho) |
2. Hakutaka Special Limited Liquor Ise Label | Shirataka Miyake Shoten
The genealogy of sake offered to the gods, a drink limited to Monzen-cho
“Shirataka” (Nada, Hyogo Prefecture) is the only refined sake “Jingu Imperial Sake” that is offered to the gods every day at Ise Grand Shrine. It is a limited edition sake that is specially brewed by the brewery and is only allowed to be sold at Shirataka Miyake Shoten in Oharai-cho. You can feel the dignified dignity, deep flavor, and sharpness that are unique to Shirataka, which is known for its traditional Kimoto-zukuri. This is a masterpiece that you should enjoy at room temperature or warm while thinking about its sacred history. It goes perfectly with the famous fried egg.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Sake (presumably honjozo or junmai type) |
| taste | A dignified aroma, deep flavor, firm richness, and a crisp aftertaste. |
| How to drink | Cold sake ○ / Room temperature ◎ / Warm sake ◎ |
| Compatible dishes | Shirataka Miyake Shoten’s baked eggs, dashimaki eggs, salt-grilled white fish, and simple side dishes |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Shirataka Miyake Shoten (Oharaimachi, Ise City) only |
3. Made by Honotomo Junmai Sake | Shimizu Seizaburo Shoten (Suzuka City)
Mie’s famous sake, full of clarity, graced the G7 Summit
“Saku” was presented at the 2016 G7 Ise-Shima Summit and attracted worldwide attention. Among them, the standard Junmai sake “Honochi” is attractive for its clear and beautiful flavor that brings out the uniqueness of the sake rice. It has a gentle and elegant aroma reminiscent of melon and lychee, a light texture, and a well-balanced flavor of rice. It is refreshing when drunk chilled, and is a perfect accompaniment to a wide variety of dishes.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Pure rice sake |
| taste | Fruity aroma (melon, lychee-like), transparent flavor, light aftertaste |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎／Room temperature ○ |
| Compatible dishes | Seafood carpaccio, salt-grilled white fish, seasonal vegetable tempura, chicken dishes |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Special liquor stores and restaurants in Mie Prefecture and nationwide |
4. Rumiko Sake Special Junmai Unfiltered Raw Sake | Moriki Sake Brewery (Iga City)
Iga’s passion junmai sake was born from the manga “Natsuko no Sake”
This is the signature brand of Moriki Sake Brewery, a brewery specializing in Junmai sake in Iga, whose label is known for having been drawn by Akira Oze, the author of the popular manga “Natsuko no Sake.” In particular, the unfiltered unprocessed sake, which is shipped from winter to spring, allows you to directly enjoy the fresh and powerful flavor of freshly squeezed rice, firm acidity, and rich aroma. It has a satisfying taste and goes well with richly flavored dishes and fermented foods. Enjoy the passionate taste with cold sake.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Special Junmai unfiltered unprocessed sake (*Seasonally limited item. Pasteurized standard items are also available) |
| taste | Fresh and gorgeous aroma, strong rice flavor, rich acidity, and heavy drinking experience. |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎ |
| Compatible dishes | Braised pork, sukiyaki, blue cheese, kimchi hotpot, Chinese food |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Moriki Sake Brewery (tours, tastings, and purchases available by reservation), exclusive liquor stores nationwide (many seasonal and limited edition items) |
5. Hanzo Junmai Daiginjo｜Ota Sake Brewery (Iga City)
A gorgeous and sophisticated taste that bears the name of Iga-ryu Ninja.
Hanzo, named after the Iga ninja Hattori Hanzo, is the representative brand of Ota Sake Brewery, also located in Iga. This also has a track record of being provided at the G7 Ise-Shima Summit. Junmai Daiginjo, which is brewed by carefully polishing sake rice, is characterized by a gorgeous ginjo aroma reminiscent of apples and pears, a beautiful and plump rice flavor, and an elegant and crisp aftertaste. This is an elegant bottle that you can enjoy slowly with a cold drink, as a toast to a special occasion or with delicate Japanese food.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai Daiginjo |
| taste | Bright ginjo aroma (apple, pear-like), beautiful and full flavor, and elegant aftertaste. |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎ |
| Compatible dishes | As an aperitif, sashimi (especially white fish), tempura (salt), marinated seafood, tofu dishes |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Special liquor stores and restaurants in Mie Prefecture and nationwide |
4. “Model course” visiting Ise Jingu and sake breweries
Ise Grand Shrine, the spiritual home of the Japanese people
Take a trip to experience the atmosphere of the sacred shrine, the vibrancy of the temple town, and the sake culture of Mie, which has a deep connection with the shrine.Following the ancient custom, we will pray from the Geku to the Inner Shrine, and then enjoy delicious sake and gourmet food unique to Ise at Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho.Here, we propose three model courses that you can choose from to suit your travel style.
①｜Enjoy the Geku, Naiku, and Monzen town! Standard walk & sake tasting course
🕒 Time required: Approximately 4-5 hours｜🧭 Difficulty: ★☆☆｜🍶 Estimated number of tastings: 2 locations
This is a classic course recommended for those who want to first visit Ise Jingu and then visit the representative sake restaurants in front of the gate. After visiting the Geku and Inner Shrine, you can take a stroll through Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho, efficiently visiting Ise’s only sake brewery and a limited-edition store that sells sake from the Shrine.
| time zone | Itinerary details |
|---|---|
| 9:00～10:00 | Arrive at Iseshi Station or Ujiyamada Station → Visit Geku (Toyouke Daijingu) |
| 10:15-10:45 | Take the bus from Geku-mae to Naiku-mae |
| 10:45-12:00 | Visiting Naiku (Imperial Grand Shrine) |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lunch at Okage Yokocho (Ise udon, Tekone sushi, Matsusaka beef, etc.) |
| 13:00-13:45 | At Iseman Naiku-mae Sake Brewery (in Okage Yokocho), you can sample representative brands such as Okage-sama and shop for a fee. |
| 13:45-14:30 | Stroll around Oharai Town → At Shirataka Miyake Shoten (in Oharai Town), try the limited edition sake “Shirataka” for a fee (along with the famous “Yakitama”) |
| 14:30～ | Search for souvenirs in Oharaimachi/Okage Yokocho (Akafuku Main Store, Iwatoya, etc.), then take the bus to the station or return home |
②｜Deeply explore the charms of Ise-Shima! Jingu + Sake Brewery + Futamiura Enjoyment Course
🕒 Time required: Approximately 7-8 hours｜🧭 Difficulty: ★★☆｜🍶 Approximate number of tastings: 2 locations + α
Exhibit: https://www.hakutakamiyake.jp/
This course is perfect for those who want to visit not only Ise Jingu but also the surrounding tourist spots and enjoy the charm of Ise-Shima to the fullest. In addition to visiting the shrine and sampling sake at Okage Yokocho, we will also take a trip to the scenic Futamiura, which has been a place of purification since ancient times.
| time zone | Itinerary details |
|---|---|
| 9:00～10:00 | Arrive at Iseshi Station or Ujiyamada Station → Visit Geku (Toyouke Daijingu) |
| 10:15-10:45 | Take the bus from Geku-mae to Naiku-mae |
| 10:45-12:00 | Visiting Naiku (Imperial Grand Shrine) |
| 12:00-13:15 | Lunch at Okage Yokocho & tasting at Iseman Naikumae Sake Brewery |
| 13:15-14:00 | Stroll around Oharai Town → Tasting at Shirataka Miyake Shoten |
| 14:00-14:30 | From Naiku-mae, take a bus (CAN Bus, etc.) to “Meotoiwa East Exit” |
| 14:30-15:45 | Futami Okitama Shrine worship (Meotoiwa), Ryugu Shrine worship, Futami Plaza (souvenirs/rest) stroll |
| 15:45-16:15 | Take a bus from the “Meotoiwa East Exit” bus stop to Iseshi Station/Ujiyamada Station (or you can walk to JR Futamiura Station and take the train) |
③｜Have a drink at Okage Yokocho! Easy-to-enjoy sake-tasting light plan
🕒 Time required: Approximately 2-3 hours｜🧭 Difficulty: ★☆☆｜🍶 Approximate number of tastings: 2 places + eating while walking
Source: https://www.iseman.co.jp/profile/sakagura/
“Recommended for those who want to casually enjoy delicious food at Okage Yokocho and Oharaimachi after visiting the Naiku Shrine.This is a short-term intensive plan that meets the needs of those who cannot stay for a long time, but want to fully enjoy the sake and gourmet food unique to Ise.
| time zone | Itinerary details |
|---|---|
| (After visiting Naiku) | Move to Okage Yokocho/Oharaimachi |
| 13:00-13:45 | At Iseman Naiku-mae Sake Brewery (Okage Yokocho), you can sample your favorite sake (sake, liqueur, whiskey, etc.) for a fee and purchase products that interest you. |
| 13:45-14:30 | Move to Shirataka Miyake Shoten (Oharaimachi) and sample the limited edition sake “Shirataka” for a fee. Be sure to try the famous “Yaki Tamago” as well. |
| 14:30-15:30 | Enjoy eating while walking around Okage Yokocho and Oharaimachi (e.g. Matsusaka beef skewers, Himonojuku dried fish, Wakamatsuya kamaboko, tofu soft serve ice cream, Akafuku, etc.) and look for souvenirs. |
| 15:30～ | Take the bus to the station or return home |
Finally
Visiting Ise Grand Shrine is a soul-cleansing experience. Then, an encounter with mellow Japanese sake, nurtured by the rich nature and people’s activities surrounding this sacred place. A journey that connects these two will be a unique and special time where you can simultaneously feel the depth of Japan’s spiritual culture and the deliciousness of the land’s blessings.
At Iseman in Okage Yokocho, you can enjoy sake brewed in gratitude for the blessings of the Isuzu River, and at Shirataka Miyake Shoten in Oharaimachi, you can think about the history of the imperial sake that is offered daily to the shrine. If you go further, you will find a variety of famous sake that Mie is proud of, such as “Saku,” “Rumiko no Sake,” and “Hanzo.”
