Chikugo-Jojima, known for its sake breweries blessed with the abundant waters of the Chikugo River and Chikugo rice, hosts Kyushu’s largest sake brewery opening event every February. During this event, eight breweries in the Jojima area simultaneously open their doors to the public.
Participants can tour the scattered sake breweries throughout the area, enjoying brewery tours, tastings, and comparisons, as well as purchasing charcoal-grilled foods, sake lees soup, and limited new sake releases exclusive to the brewery openings.
Moreover, at the main venue set up in the heart of the region, numerous stalls open, offering sake tasting from Jojima, stand-and-drink corners, local cuisine, and local specialties. Many attend specifically for the tasting opportunities here. Traditional performances, such as the “Chikugo Sake Brewing Song” and “Jojima Ryuujin Daiko,” are also showcased, embodying the area’s long-standing heritage.
Free shuttle buses between breweries allow visitors to immerse themselves in Jojima’s rich pastoral landscapes and its distinctively delightful sake.
• Event Dates: February 17th (Sat.) and 18th (Sun.), 2024
• Time: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
• Main Venue: Chomin no Mori (764 Naratsu, Jojima-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka)
• Event Information: http://nanbu-shoko.jp/sakagura/
• https://www.instagram.com/sakezoh
Participating Breweries
Asahikiku Sake Brewery (403 Icchobaru, Mizuma-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka)
• Founded: 1900
• Feature: Dedicated to brewing sake that complements food, following the motto of crafting sake suitable for meals.
• https://asahikiku.jp/
Ikekame Sake Brewery (545 Kusaba, Mizuma-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka)
• Founded: 1875
• Feature: Creates distinctive products through a blend of traditional techniques and unique technologies.
• https://ikekame.com/
Chikushi no Homare Sake Brewery (181 Aokishima, Jojima-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka)
• Founded: 1897
• Feature: Continues to preserve the flavor and richness of handmade sake, starting with rice steamed in wooden “koshiki” (steaming baskets).
• https://c-homare.com/
Hana no Tsuyu (223-1 Jojima, Jojima-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka)
• Founded: 1745
• Feature: Known for its delicate sake quality, born from soft water brewing.
• http://www.fukuoka-sake.org/map/detail.php?ID=46
Hiyokutsuru Sake Brewery (466-1 Uchino, Jojima-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka)
• Founded: 1895
• Feature: Known for its robust flavor. The special junmai sake “Yamakanbai” is the most popular.
• https://www.hiyokutsuru.co.jp/
Mannengame Sake Brewery (68-4 Kusaba, Mizuma-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka)
• Founded: 1892
• Feature: Gathers support from enthusiasts as “sake for health purposes.”
• https://www.mannengame.info/
Mizuhonishiki Sake Brewery (940 Fujiyoshi, Daizenji-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka)
• Founded: 1854
• Feature: Produces freshly pressed sake using local rice and water from their own sources.
• http://www.fukuoka-sake.org/map/detail.php?ID=58
Mori no Kura (2773 Tamamitsu, Mizuma-machi, Kurume City, Fukuoka)
• Founded: 1898
• Feature: Exclusively brews junmai sake using sake rice grown in Fukuoka Prefecture.
• https://www.morinokura.co.jp/
Jojima Sake Tasting Comparison
Jojima sake is characterized by its rich flavors, each with its own unique personality. This time, participants can compare 40 brands of Japanese sake. Here’s the lineup:
Payment methods: cash, PayPay, d-payment
• A (1 ticket per cup): Table sake to Honjozo sake class
• B (2 tickets per cup): Junmai sake class
• C (3 tickets per cup): Junmai Ginjo to Junmai Daiginjo sake class
Unlimited Jojima Sake Enjoyment
To commemorate the 30th event, an all-you-can-drink plan for Jojima Sake Tasting Comparison is introduced! An unlimited tasting of all 40 brands.
• Per person: ¥3,500 (limited to 1,000 people per day)
• Payment methods: cash, PayPay, d-payment
• Venue: Main venue (Chomin no Mori)
Stand-and-Drink Corner (¥300~)
At the stand-and-drink corner, you can enjoy a casual drink in a standing format.
• Payment methods: cash, PayPay, d-payment
• Venue: Main venue (Chomin no Mori)
Chikugo Sake Brewing Song
The sake brewing song has been passed down through generations at Chikugo’s sake breweries. Members of the Sake Brewing Preservation Society will proudly perform it.
• Times: 9:30 AM, 12:30 PM
• Venue: Main venue (Chomin no Mori), visiting each brewery
Jojima Ryuujin Daiko Performance
A traditional Japanese drum from Chikugo, with a history spanning many areas.
• Times: 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM
• Venue: Main venue (Chomin no Mori)
On-Site! Kurume Yakitori No.1 Festa
To celebrate the 30th “Jojima Sake Brewery Opening,” a collaboration with Kurume’s major gourmet event “Kurume Yakitori No.1 Festa” will bring popular vendors.
Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Jojima Sake Brewery Opening with a Special Collaboration! This year, we’re teaming up with Kurume’s premier gourmet event, the ‘Kurume Yakitori Japan No.1 Festa.’ Four renowned yakitori restaurants from Kurume will be featured at the Jojima Sake Brewery Opening, bringing their delectable offerings to our event.
• Participating Restaurants: Tsukasa / Arima / Gekkoyoku / Shinkichi
• Venue: Main venue (Chomin no Mori)
Kaki x Sake Bar
A limited bar where you can enjoy Fukuoka’s specialty, “Buzen Sea Single Oyster,” with Jojima sake. Sake developed by each brewery to complement oysters and “Buzen Sea Single Oyster” will be sold. Enjoy the collaboration of seasonal oysters and sake that enhances their flavor!
• Venue: In front of the main entrance of Jojima Comprehensive Cultural Center (Ingot Hall)
• Steamed oyster ¥500, Kaki Sake ¥300
Amaou Bar
A booth where you can enjoy freshly harvested ripe “Amaou” strawberries with Jojima sake.
• Venue: In front of the main entrance of Jojima Comprehensive Cultural Center (Ingot Hall)
• Amaou parfait ¥700, Amaou tiramisu ¥500, and more.
Access Information
Nearest Stations to the Venue: Nishitetsu Mizuma Station, JR Kurume Station
• On the event days, February 17th and 18th, a limited express train will stop at Nishitetsu Mizuma Station. (Refer to the timetable)
Free Shuttle Bus
During the event, a free shuttle bus service will connect Nishitetsu Mizuma Station, JR Kurume Station, and the venue. This year introduces a new “JR Kurume Route,” making a total of three routes available.
• Operating Hours: Each day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Routes:
1. Direct: Nishitetsu Mizuma Station ⇔ Main Venue
2. Sake Brewery Tour: Mizuma General Branch Office ↔ Asahikiku ↔ Ikekame ↔ Sakenotakeya ↔ Hananotsuyu ↔ Main Venue
3. JR Kurume Route (Departing from JR Kurume Station West Exit): JR Kurume Station ↔ Mizuhonishiki ↔ Eel Cuisine ↔ Ikekame ↔ Sakenotakeya ↔ Main Venue ↔ Chikushinohomare ↔ First Parking Lot
