Sake Brewery Tourism in Kansai - The Terroir of Sake: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Journey Through Ten Prefectures

Which area of Japan do you associate with sake production?
Niigata, a famous rice-producing region, or Akita and other Tohoku prefectures may spring to mind.
However, you may be surprised to learn that Kansai is Japan’s top sake production region in terms of volume. Yes, you heard it: Kansai is Japan’s preeminent sake production region, which includes Hyogo Prefecture (nationwide ranking: 1st) and Kyoto Prefecture (nationwide ranking: 2nd). Kansai’s ten prefectures (Shiga Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture, Hyogo Prefecture, Nara Prefecture, Wakayama Prefecture, Tottori Prefecture, Tokushima Prefecture, Fukui Prefecture, and Mie Prefecture), including the renowned Nadagogo and Fushimi sake districts, are home to many sake breweries that are rooted in the community. Here, a variety of distinctive styles of sake are brewed by long-standing breweries with a distinguished history, small-scale breweries, breweries creating stylish sake catering for modern tastes, and more.

People of Kansai

Tourism would not be the same without encounters between people.
People from Kansai are said to be very friendly.
Kyoto is Kyoto, Osaka is Osaka, Kobe is Kobe... Despite regional differences, people in Kansai are often said to be more open than in other parts of Japan.
One of the reasons for this is perhaps because these areas have flourished as cities since ancient times, growing into places visited by many people who have actively interacted with one another. Here, tourists are not treated merely as guests but more like long-term friends or family. It is this “Kansai hospitality” that will make your trip even more memorable.