Your trip to Japan won’t be complete without drinking a sake, right? But, it’s more interesting if you’ll go inside a sake factory and learn how the country’s most well-known, traditional social lubricant is made.
Sake, I’ve learned, is a Japanese term for liquor. It is made from rice, thus, it is literally a rice wine. It is brewed, like that of a beer. And yes, it is Japan’s national beverage. I was offered sake in three Japanese homes I’ve visited. Well, that and a cup of tea!
JAPAN IS THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN
We went to a small sake factory. There’s not fancy machines in there because the small business is family-run.
In fact, the size of the factory could be just a normal house in Japan.
The owner met us at the door and he welcomed us with his head bowing, instead of a handshake.
A fellow couchsurfer did all the translation for us.
What we did see are medium-sized barrels where it was brewing rice wine.
Of course, at the end of the tour, there was sake wine tasting which the owner generously provided us. They have a small shop, too, where buying is optional.
Related: A Bucket List Experience—Stay in a Capsule Hotel in Japan
JAPAN IS THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN