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Fukuoka Sakagura Biraki Guide 2019

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.
Copyright Fukuoka Now – including all text, photos and illustrations. Permission required to re-use in any form. Meanwhile, feel free to link to to this page.

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.

Category
Seasonal Guide
Fukuoka Prefecture
Published: Feb 6, 2019 / Last Updated: Feb 8, 2019

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