So far
- January 19 (Sat) → New Year Sake Tasting at Rokutanjicho Park
- February 2 (Sat) → “Takaramusume” at Osawa Honke Sake Brewery
- February 16 (Sat) → “Hakushika” at Tatsuuma-Honke Brewing
- February 23 (Sat) → “Nihonsakari” at Nihonsakari
- February 24 (Sun) → “Tokuwaka” at Bandai Osawa Brewery
Every Saturday and Sunday, six sake breweries in Nishinomiya have been opening their grounds
for events where visitors can enjoy new sake and freshly pressed unpasteurized genshu!
And this time!
On Saturday, March 2,
freshly pressed unpasteurized genshu, a bazaar, festival stalls, live performances, and more were held at the Ozeki Kotobuki Product Warehouse!
Here’s a report from
Miyatama @ Nishi2!
Ozeki Kotobuki Product Warehouse is here↓
About a 15-minute walk from Hankyu and Hanshin Imazu Station.
As soon as I arrived at Ozeki Kotobuki Product Warehouse at 9:40 in the morning, there was already a huge line!
At the entrance, the line was split into two: “Paid Tasting” and “General Admission.”
For the “Paid Tasting,” you could try this limited-edition sake for just ¥100 (tax included)!
At reception, you simply tell them which one you’d like to drink and pay.
“General Admission” is the entrance for people who aren’t drinking the limited-edition sake.
While waiting in line, I received this map of places in Nishinomiya where you can enjoy Japanese sake.
When you’re in the mood for sake, having a map like this is really handy♪
They were also handing out this flyer with the day’s event schedule and venue map.
After waiting for just under 10 minutes, I entered the venue!
Here are the limited-edition sakes available for tasting▼
Together with a tray to place the sake on.
The One Cup Nama Genshu has a smooth mouthfeel and is easy to drink.
The Morning-Pressed Nama Genshu (Daiginjo) is crisp and dry.
It was so easy to drink and so delicious that I could just keep sipping♪
And inside the venue…
There were so many people!
Inside the venue, there were counter tables and folding tables.
You could enjoy food and drinks at the tables while watching live performances!
On this stage,
- 10:30–11:00 Ozeki Band
- 11:10–11:40 Japanese Taiko Drums: Inoue Sisters
- 11:50–12:20 Shamisen Performance
- 13:00–13:30 Ozeki Band Ossan’s
- 13:40–14:00 Sake Brewing Song Preservation Society
- 14:10–14:40 Ozeki Band
these live performances took place♪
From the very first performance, both the visitors
and everyone from Ozeki were getting really excited!
And!
The woman wearing the white happi coat is…
Believe it or not!!
Ozeki President Noriko Osabe!
President Osabe’s beautiful singing voice echoed through the venue, making the crowd even more excited♪
From left: Koichi Wakuta from public relations, Miyatama, President Noriko Osabe, and an Ozeki staff member♪
I asked Mr. Wakuta from Ozeki’s public relations team
about what makes Ozeki special!
Here it is▼
The main attraction is giving people a chance to try One Cup Nama Genshu, which is different from the regular One Cup sold in stores!
You can’t buy it anywhere, and you can’t drink it anywhere else either. We don’t even serve it at our directly managed shops.
Even within the company, One Cup Nama Genshu has a reputation for being delicious.
As for what makes Ozeki special…
Our One Cup, released on the day of the opening ceremony of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, is symbolic.
Since visitors from overseas would be coming, we developed it with an innovative label using Roman letters,
deciding to create a product that would completely change the style of Japanese sake.
Ozeki was also the very first company to develop sake in cartons.
Our company motto is “Pioneer Spirit,” the idea of taking on any challenge.
Sometimes we’re too early and things don’t work out…
But that DNA has been passed down to today’s employees, and I think that’s what makes Ozeki great.
So One Cup Nama Genshu was a precious sake that can only be enjoyed at the brewery opening event!
I’m so happy I got to try such a rare sake!
I want to drink it again!
Ozeki was founded here in Imazu in 1711.
For 308 years, Ozeki has been delivering Nishinomiya’s sake across Japan.
While watching over the city of Nishinomiya,
they have continued sharing the appeal of Japanese sake nationwide.
It made me feel that this is a company loved by so many people.
From left: an Ozeki staff member, Miyatama, and Genichi Nagaishi♪
With Ozeki staff and Miyatama♪
Could it be thanks to the effects of sake lees, which are also used in beauty care?!
Here’s a quick look at the attractions at the venue!
Freshly harvested morning vegetables
Fresh strawberries
Japanese sweets that go perfectly with tea
