From some of the best and most artistically presented Kaiseki cuisine and the highest quality sake Japan has to offer, to immersive experiences that connect you with the local produce and flavours, Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture offers visitors a range of unique gastronomic experiences to remember. Taking you on a journey through Japan’s sake country and rural settings brimming with fresh produce, here are some of the top highlights of a gastronomic trip to Hyogo.
Visit the heart of sake country
In the Harima area of Hyogo and established in 1819, Miyake Sake Brewery has long been renowned for its high-quality sake. The brewery offers guided tours to visitors showcasing how traditional and modern brewing techniques work in harmony while also inviting guests to experience its variety of sakes during tasting sessions offered as part of its tours.
The brewery uses Yamadanishiki rice to craft its sake, including the “QA” (pronounced “kue”) variety. As part of your visit, you’ll learn about the brewery’s meticulous ‘bag-pressing’ method that has been developed to avoid the bitterness often associated with other sakes. Producing sake that embodies the unique characteristics of the local region and supporting sustainable production practices, Miyake Sake Brewery sources rice from local farmers and uses high quality water from the nearby Manganji River.
Taste Michelin star cuisine in a country town at Izumi
Located on a country road in the town of Kasai, Izumi specialises in serving seasonal kaiseki cuisine which showcases the local area’s fresh, local ingredients through beautifully presented dishes. The flavours and artistic appearance of the restaurant’s dishes change along with the seasons while guests enjoy the restaurant’s serene dining atmosphere with private dining options also available for special occasions.
In 2016, Izumi was awarded one Michelin star and is known for pairing its dishes with not only sake from the Miyake Sake Brewery, but also several sake brands from Hyogo. Offering a real treat for diners, the restaurant’s high-quality dishes owe themselves to the dedication of its experienced head chef who visits the local markets early each morning to select the best seafood and local produce for the day’s menu.
Experience sake brewing ‘hands-on’ at Nishiyama Sake Brewery
Housed in an impressive space, this expansive sake brewery is steeped in history and tradition. The brewery walls are covered in art from influential Japanese artists who have stayed at the brewery in the past, while the majority of works have been gifted to the distillery.
While at the brewery, you can visit the small shop and tasting area where you can enjoy a flight of three of their sakes. As well as the brewery’s tour experience, another highlight for visitors is the recently opened “Koden: Sake, Fermentation and Art Complex”, set in the 129-year-old brewery building. In the entrance, you’ll discover a selection of local pottery for sale, as well as sweets such as the famed sweet potato koji pudding. Upstairs, you can see many pieces of art that have been donated to the brewery over the years, from haiku and calligraphy to old print advertisements and paintings, which also look down the dining space through the stairwell.
Nishiyama Sake Brewery also features bedrooms for guests to stay overnight, boasting views of the surrounding mountains and presenting a rare and immersive brewery experience for sake enthusiasts in Japan. The brewery also features a fermentation restaurant where each meal course is matched with a complementary sake for a sophisticated dining and sake experience.
Enjoy a farm-to-table experience on Awaji Island
Thanks to an ideal climate and fertile soils, Awaji Island is known for its selection of fresh produce which has been carefully cultivated by experienced local producers. Haru San San farm-to-table restaurant is a great place to go to try the very best of Awaji Island’s produce where all dishes are made with fresh vegetables grown in the lush and scenic fields surrounding the restaurant.
The restaurant’s dishes are specially created to bring out the unique qualities of each vegetable with over 10 varieties featuring in its selection of delicious appetisers, main courses, soups, and desserts. The surrounding landscape and restaurant’s architecture is also part of the experience of dining at Haru San San with the building structure capturing the essence of traditional Japanese architecture in a rural setting.
Regular “field work” events are also held at the restaurant to coincide with the changing seasons. These events give visitors the opportunity to personally harvest their own vegetables and enjoy a unique sense of connection to the dishes they later enjoy.
