Fukuoka is blessed with good quality water and rice, making it one of the best places to brew sake in the country. The prefecture is home to 70 breweries, which is the 5th highest number in Japan. From the end of January to April every year, breweries throughout Fukuoka Prefecture hold kurabiraki (sake festival) events, giving visitors the chance to sample local sake and learn more about regional customs.
During a kurabiraki event, visitors get the chance to explore areas of a brewery that are not usually open to the public and sample sake carefully selected by onsite staff. It is also a great chance to try some of the area’s newest brews while strolling around a market-style setup!
Tips for enjoying a kurabiraki event!
① Get to the venue early!
Enjoy feeling tipsy under the midday sun, but keep in mind that some of the most popular sake brands might get sold out right away. So make sure to get to the venue nice and early!
② Learn a bit about sake before you go!
Japanese sake is usually divided into eight categories based on ingredients and the ratio of polished rice used in the brewing process.
a. Honjozo-shu
b. Ginjo-shu
c. Daiginjo-shu
d. Junmai-shu
e. Junmai Ginjo-shu
f. Junmai Daiginjo-shu
g. Tokubetsu Junmai-shu
h. Tokubetsu Honjozo-shu
Classifications are also made according to the taste and aroma. There is a lot to choose from, so it’s worth knowing your preferences. Make sure to check out Fukuoka Now’s sake guide (English) and enjoy discussing sake!
③ There are also good non-alcoholic beverages available!
Some breweries also produce amazake (sweet sake). Made using koji (malted rice), this non-alcoholic option contains natural ingredients and has a nutritional composition that is said to be good for your health. It’s filled with so much nutrition that some people even call it a drinkable IV (intravenous therapy) drip!
④ Bring a bag!
Visitors will get the chance to purchase freshly brewed sake and limited edition beverages that are not easy to find in stores. Bring a bag just in case you end up buying more souvenirs than you had originally planned!
⑤ Use public transportation!
Drinking and driving is illegal and dangerous! Take a train, bus, or shuttle and enjoy the day without having to worry about driving!
Sakagura Biraki Schedule for 2019
Suginoya: 1/26 (Sat.) ~ 3/3 (Sun.) *only on weekends and national holidays
Isonosawa: 2/11 (Mon., hol.)
Kamenoo: 2/15 (Fri.) ~ 2/17 (Sun.)
Jojima Sake Festival & Brewery Hopping: 2/16 (Sat.), 2/17 (Sun.)
Josui: 2/15 (Fri.) ~ 2/17 (Sun.)
Shiraito: 2/23 (Sat.) ~ 2/24 (Sun.), 4/13 (Sat.), 4/14 (Sun.)
Naranotsuyu： 2/23 (Sat.), 2/24 (Sun.)
Kikubijin: 2/23 (Sat.), 2/24 (Sun.)
Kitaya: 3/2 (Sat.), 3/3 (Sun.)
Kyushugiku: 3/3 (Sun.)
Chitosenomatsu: 3/9 (Sat.), 3/10 (Sun.)
Tamamizu: 3/10 (Sun.)
Ayasugi: 3/16 (Sat.)
Tamadeizumi: 3/16 (Sat.), 3/17 (Sun.)
Tenshin: 3/16 (Sat.), 3/17 (Sun.)
Yamenokotobuki: 3/16 (Sat.), 3/17 (Sun.)
Muhomatsu: 3/23 (Sat.)
Hakata Nerizake: 3/23 (Sat.), 3/24 (Sun.)
Beniotome: 3/23 (Sat.), 3/24 (Sun.)
Asahikiku: 3/24 (Sun.)
Mannengame: 4/7 (Sun.)
Mizuhogiku: 4/7 (Sun.)
Kinran Fujimusume：Mid-Apr. ~ Golden Week
Tsukushi: May (to be announced)
Wakanami: May ~ Sep. *as occasion demands (one group per day only, by appointment)
Hiyokutsuru: As occasion demands *excluding Sundays, national holidays, and company holidays
Bandai: As occasion demands *brewery tour only
Suginoya
• 1/26 (Sat.) ~ 3/3 (Sun.) *only on weekends and national holidays
• 10:00~16:00
• Hamachi Shuzo
• 1442 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka
• 092-806-1186
• http://www.suginoya.co.jp/
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment
Isonosawa
• 2/11 (Mon., hol.)
• 1-2 Nishikumanoue, Ukiha, Ukiha City, Fukuoka
• 0943-77-3103
• https://www.facebook.com/isonosawa/
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment
Kamenoo
• 2/15 (Fri.) ~ 2/17 (Sun.)
• 9:00~16:00
• Izu Honten
• 1060 Takemaru, Munakata City, Fukuoka
• 0940-32-3001
• http://www.kamenoo.com/index2.html
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment
Jojima Sake Festival & Brewery Hopping
• 2/16 (Sat.), 2/17 (Sun.)
• 9:30~16:00 *Shuttle bus running between the participating breweries will be running from 9:00
• Participating breweries: Asahikiku, Ikekame, Chikushinohomare, Hananotsuyu, Hiyokutsuru, Mannengame, Mizuhonishiki, Morinokura
• 764 Jojima-machi Naratsu, Kurume
• 0942-64-3649
• http://www.nanbu-shoko.jp/sakagura/
Josui
• 2/15 (Fri.) ~ 2/17 (Sun.)
• 11:00~16:00
• Ishikura Shuzo
• 1-30-1 Katakasu, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka
• 092-651-1986
• https://www.ishikura-shuzou.co.jp/news/911/
• Note: visits are only possible during the sakagura event
Shiraito
• 2/23 (Sat.), 2/24 (Sun.)
• 11:00~16:00
• Shiraito Shuzo
• 1986 Hon, Itoshima City, Fukuoka
• 092-322-2901
• http://www.shiraito.com/
• Note: visits are only possible during the sakagura event, tasting and purchase of products available, also open on 4/13 and 4/14
Naranotsuyu
• 2/23 (Sat.), 2/24 (Sun.)
• 10:00~16:00
• Katsuya Shuzo
• 4-1-10 Akama, Munakata City, Fukuoka
• 0940-32-3010
• http://www.katsuyashuzo.com/
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment
Kikubijin
• 2/23 (Sat.), 2/24 (Sun.)
• 10:00~16:00
• Kikubijin Shuzo
• 183 Setaka-machi Kaminosho, Miyama City, Fukuoka
• 0944-62-3001
• http://kikubijin.co.jp/
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment *except weekends and national holidays
Kitaya
• 3/2 (Sat.), 3/3 (Sun.)
• 10:00~16:00
• Kitaya
• 374 Moto-machi, Yame City, Fukuoka
• 0943-23-2154
• http://www.kitaya.co.jp/
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment *until 15:40
Kyushugiku
• 3/3 (Sun.)
• 10:00~15:00
• Hayashi Shuzojo
• 992-2 Saigawasakiyama, Miyako-machi, Kyoto-gun, Fukuoka
• 0930-42-0015
• http://www.kusugiku.jp/kusugiku.html
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment
Chitosenomatsu
• 3/9 (Sat.), 3/10 (Sun.)
• 9:30~17:00
• Chitosenomatsu Shuzo
• 370-1 Kitano-machi Imayama, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• 0942-78-3003
• http://www.chitosenomatu.jp/
• Note: visits are only possible during the sakagura event
Tamamizu
• 3/10 (Sun.)
• 10:00~16:00
• Tamamizu Shuzo
• 214-1 Takata-machi Maizuru, Miyama City, Fukuoka
• 0944-67-2001
• http://www.fukuoka-sake.org/map/detail.php?ID=37
• Note: visits are only possible during the sakagura event
Ayasugi
• 3/16 (Sat.)
• 10:00~16:00
• Ayasugi Shuzojo
• 1-12-37 Shiobaru, Minami-ku, Fukuoka
• 092-541-3908
• http://www.ayasugi.co.jp/
• Note: visits are only possible during the sakagura event
Tamadeizumi
• 3/16 (Sat.), 3/17 (Sun.)
• 10:00~16:00
• Oga Shuzo
• 4-9-1 Futsukaichi-chuo, Chikushino City, Fukuoka
• 092-922-2633
• http://www.ogashuzo.com/
• Note: visits are only possible during the sakagura event
Tenshin
• 3/16 (Sat.), 3/17 (Sun.)
• 9:30~16:00
• Mizokami Shuzo
• 1-10 Keisho-machi, Yahatahigashi-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• 093-652-0289
• http://www.sake-tenshin.co.jp/
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment
Yamenokotobuki
• 3/16 (Sat.), 3/17 (Sun.)
• 10:00~17:00 (3/17: ~16:00)
• Yamenokotobuki Shuzo
• 1 Kitano-machi Otomaru, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• 0942-78-3025
• http://yamanokotobuki.com/
• Note: visits are only possible during the sakagura event
Muhomatsu
• 3/23 (Sat.)
• 10:00~15:00
• Muhomatsu Shuzo
• 310 Shindoji, Kokuraminami-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka
• 093-451-0002
• http://muhomatsu.ntf.ne.jp/
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment
Hakata Nerizake
• 3/23 (Sat.), 3/24 (Sun.)
• 10:00~16:00
• Wakatakeya Shuzojo
• 706 Tanushimaru-machi Tanushimaru, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• 0943-72-2175
• http://www.fukuoka-sake.org/encyclopedia/detail.php?ID=209
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment *only the brewery shop (established in 1700) is open to the public
Beniotome
• 3/23 (Sat.), 3/24 (Sun.)
• 10:00~16:00
• Beniotome Shuzo
• 214-2 Tanushimaru-machi Masuoda, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• 0943-72-3939
• http://www.beniotome.co.jp/
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment
Asahikiku
• 3/24 (Sun.)
• 10:00~16:00
• Asahigiku Shuzo
• 403 Mizuma-machi Itchobaru, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• 0942-64-2003
• http://www.asahikiku.jp/
• Note: visits are only possible during the sakagura event *participating in the Jojima Sake Festival (2/16 ~ 2/17)
Mannengame
• 4/7 (Sun.)
• 10:00~16:30
• Mannengame Shuzo
• 68-4 Mizuma-machi Kusaba, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• 0942-64-2025
• http://www.mannengame.info/
• Note: visits are only possible during the sakagura event *participating in the Jojima Sake Festival (2/17 Sat.) ~ 2/18 Sun.)
Mizuhogiku
• 4/7 (Sun.)
• 13:00~15:30
• Mizuhogiku Shuzo
• 375 Tento, Iizuka City, Fukuoka
• 0948-22-1050
• http://mizuhogiku.com/
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment
Kinran Fujimusume
• Mid-Apr. ~ Golden Week
• 9:00~17:00
• Goto Shuzojo
• 26 Kurogi-machi Kurogi, Yame City, Fukuoka
• 0943-42-0011
• http://www.fukuoka-sake.org/encyclopedia/detail.php?ID=68
• Note: visits are only possible during the sakagura event
Tsukushi
• May (to be announced)
• 10:00~16:00
• Nishiyoshida Shuzo
• 612 Izumi, Chikugo City, Fukuoka
• 0942-53-2229
• http://nishiyoshida.jp/
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment
Wakanami
• May ~ Sep. *as occasion demands (one group per day only, by appointment)
• 9:00~17:00
• Wakanami Shuzo
• 752 Kanegae, Okawa City, Fukuoka
• 0944-88-1225
• https://wakanami.jimdo.com
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment
Hiyokutsuru
• As occasion demands *excluding Sundays, national holidays, and company holidays
• 10:00~16:00
• Hiyokutsuru Shuzo
• 466-1 Jojima-machi Uchino, Kurume City, Fukuoka
• 0942-62-2171
• http://www.asahikiku.jp/
• Participating in the Jojima Sake Festival (2/16 ~ 2/17)
Bandai
• As occasion demands *brewery tour only
• 10:30~16:00
• Kobayashi Shuzo Honten
• 2-11-1 Umi, Umi-machi, Kasuya-gun, Fukuoka
• 092-932-0001
• http://sakebandai.com/
• Note: visits outside of the sakagura event are possible by appointment *appointments can be made through the Kobayashi Shuzo website
Originally written in Mar. 2018, updated Feb. 2019.
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NOTE: The information presented here was gathered and summarized by the Fukuoka Now staff. While we have done our best to check for accuracy, there might be errors and details may have changed. If you notice any errors or changes, please contact us. This report was originally written in Mar. 2018.