The representative breweries in Masuda are Somi, Fusozuru, and Kikuyasaka. These are sake that have been drunk locally for a long time. A long time ago, I was surprised to find Fusozuru in an tavern in Osaka. I asked about it for the Fusozuru staffs, and it was convinced that about 70% of the sake is sold in the Kansai and Kanto regions.
Masuda is a small town, but it is surprising that there are two liquor stores with a Sake cooler room. One of them, Kaneyoshiya liquor shop, has a variety of sakes from standard to rare, and another is Liquor & Asian Sundries Sonoma, which has a variety of wines and a large wine cooler room.
Liquor events
1. New Sake Toast Event at “Rekishi-na”(April)
I participated in a toast with new sake to celebrate the first anniversary of Rekishi-Na(all-you-can-drink of designated sake). For three hours, I enjoyed sake from the brewery in Masuda and sake from all over Japan, including Shimane and Yamaguchi Prefectures. To go with the sake, I had ayu dishes (Ayu zouni soup), which is certified as a 100-year Japanese foods, and duck with Umeboshi, which is a reproduction of medieval food. Also, the barnacle that I missed this time is a delicacy. You will be lucky if you can eat it somewhere.
There will be an event next year as well, but it has not been decided whether there will be an sake event. I enjoyed the arrival of spring with just one day of drinking.
(100-year Japanese foods)
(reproduction of medieval foods)
2. Sake taisting tour event in Masuda
In October 2023, a sake tasting tour event was held in Masuda. First, you pay a participation fee and receive a 90 ml ochoko (Sake’s small cup) for the event. At several shops in Masuda, a famous sake brewer from Shimane Prefecture and Hiroshima Prefecture served their special sake. At each shop, you can order 500 yen worth of food and taste it (you can drink as many as you like in a 90 ml ochoko within 20 minutes). This is an event where you can compare sake throughout the day. Some people came from places like Hiroshima Prefecture. If there is another event this year, please come to Masuda.