Regional sake guide: Tohoku & Hokkaido

Alice Hama

Table of Contents

    Tohoku and Hokkaido on the map

    Tohoku region is known for its excellent rice production with a profound food culture. I mentioned how Edo (modern-day Tokyo) became the epicenter for sake culture during the Edo Period (1603–1868) in the last article. In the early 1600s, around the same time when Edo was fast-growing as a metropolitan city, Tohoku region attracted large population inflows from the Kanto region due to the new development of silver and gold mines. A lot of restaurants and hotels popped up to accommodate visiting workers. Since then, the area gradually created a unique food culture that now allures visitors from around the world.

    In addition to the environmental conditions suitable for rice making, its climatic characteristic of extremely cold and dry winters enables sake to mature slowly, which makes high-quality sake with smooth texture and elegant finish.

    If you’re thinking of international travel, consider Northern Tohoku and Hokkaido as a paradise for those who enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. You can find some of the best winter resorts as well. If you ever visit the region, it’s definitely worth checking out local breweries!

    Fukushima

    Fukushima has many breweries in the city of Aizu, Koriyama and Iwaki. The prefecture is known for some pioneers in the production of rustic style sake such as yamahai and kimotozukuri, however there are many up-and-coming new generation sake makers producing modern sake as well.

    Kitakata ramen

    Each ramen restaurant has its unique Kitakata ramen style. It would be a fun idea to plan a Kitakata ramen tour once it’s safe to travel to Japan!

    Local dish: Kitakata ramen

    Kitakata ramen is the signature ramen from this region with soy sauce (shoyu-based) dashi soup. Ramen is the popular choice as a post bar-hopping food/hangover cure.

    Tippsy’s recommended sake from Fukushima:
    Okunomatsu Brewing Company: Okunomatsu “Ginjo”
    Homare Brewing Company: Homare “Yuzu”

    Miyagi

    Miyagi produces high-quality edible rice like Sasanishiki. Usually table rice is not used for premium sake production but the prefecture has been successful at making Junmai sake using this rice. Sake from the region are very versatile, from crisp and dry to full body aromatic style.

    Beef tongue

    It is said that a local restaurant in Miyagi was the first to serve grilled beef tongue in Japan.

    Local dish: Beef tongue

    Grilled beef tongue (gyutan) is a popular dish in the region, and pairs well with rustic and robust style sake.

    Harako meshi

    The best season to enjoy harako meshi is fall.

    Local dish: Harako meshi

    Salmon and roe (or ikura) rice bowl (harako meshi) is a traditional dish packed with umami that calls for a complex and full-bodied sake.

    Tippsy’s recommended sake from Miyagi:
    Ichinokura: Ichinokura “Himezen Ume”
    Uchigasaki Brewing Company: Michinoku Onikoroshi “Honjozo”

    Yamagata

    Yamagata is blessed with access to numerous mountains with high-quality water reserves. The prefecture developed their original sake yeast as well as sake rice, and among them, Dewasansan and Dewanosato are famous. Sake from the region tend to be smooth and aromatic.

    Sansai tempura

    Sansai tempura is known for having a fresh scent which is very appetizing.

    Local dish: Sansai tempura

    Yamagata is often referred to as the “kingdom of sansai (edible mountain plants),” and you can find a variety of sansai cuisines.

    Kasujiru

    A bowl of kasujiru will warm you up from deep inside your body.

    Local dish: Kasujiru

    Kasujiru is a hearty winter soup made with sake kasu (lees or the by-product of the sake-making process). It is a popular dish in the sake region.

    Tippsy’s recommended sake from Yamagata:
    Fuji Brewing Company: Eiko Fuji “Junmai Ginjo”
    Tatenokawa Brewing Company: Tatenokawa “Phoenix”

    Akita

    Akita has a nickname as “The land of beautiful sake.” Aside from abundant water and high-quality rice, the development of sake yeast AK-1 (Akita-ryu Hana Kobo) enabled sake brewers to produce ginjo sake with a strong aroma and complexity.

    Kiritampo nabe

    Kiritampo nabe would be a perfect family meal for a cold snowy day.

    Local dish: Kiritampo nabe

    Kiritampo nabe is a regional Akita hot-pot dish with dumplings made with smashed rice. The nabe uses chicken broth base, very rich in flavor. It pairs well with local junmai sake.

    Tippsy’s recommended sake from Akita:
    Asamai Brewing Company: Amanoto “Heaven’s Door”
    Saiya Brewing Company: Yuri Masamune “Honjozo”

    Iwate

    Iwate is home to numerous brands that have earned international recognition such as Nanbu Bijin. The prefecture is the hub for Nanbu Toji (Iwate master brewers) which is considered to be one of the three largest and influential regional groups of brewers in Japan. Sake from the region tend to be elegant with soft finish.

    Reimen (Cold noodle)

    The perfect balance of sourness and umami of Morioka reimen is often enjoyed during summer.

    Local dish: Reimen (Cold noodle)

    Reimen is often served as the last dish of a yakiniku course. The city of Morioka is known for its Morioka reimen using white noodle and complex dashi soup.

    Mochi in the soup

    Although mochi dishes are typically enjoyed in winter, especially the new year season, it is enjoyed throughout the year in Iwate.

    Local dish: Mochi

    Iwate has many kinds of mochi dishes from casual, homestyle to official, ceremonial style.

    Tippsy’s recommended sake from Iwate:
    Nanbu Bijin: Nanbu Bijin “Daiginjo”
    Asabiraki: Asabiraki “Yumeakari”

    Aomori

    Aomori enjoys high-quality natural water flowing from the surrounding mountains which include the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Shirakami Sanchi. The prefecture has its own sake rice varieties such as Hanafubuki, Hohai and Hanaomoi. Sake from the region varies from the full body and round classic style to modern aromatic ginjo style.

    Oden with miso

    There are so many ingredients to choose from an oden pot.. Which would be your favorite?

    Local dish: Oden with miso

    Oden is the traditional one-pot dish, and it is a quintessential Japanese comfort food. Aomori version combines dashi-simmered ingredients with a fragrant ginger and miso sauce, and they are great sake pairing friends.

    Hokkaido

    Hokkaido is the northern island surrounded by three different bodies of water: the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk and the Pacific Ocean. The region is renowned for its high-quality, fresh seafood, and sake from the area tends to be light and crisp, pairing well with local foods.

    Uni-ikura don

    When you visit Hokkaido, you cannot pass on seafood!

    Local dish: Uni-ikura don

    You can visit a fish market to get a rice bowl topped with the top-grade sea urchin (uni) and salmon caviar (ikura).

    Tippsy’s recommended sake from Hokkaido:
    Otokoyama: Otokoyama “Tokubetsu Junmai”

    Alice Hama

    Alice Hama

    Certified Sommelier in wine and sake with more than 15 beverage and food-related certifications around the world, including Court of Master and WSET Sommeliers. Alice’s passion for wine and sake has taken her on many gastronomic adventures! She currently consults and writes for several importers, restaurants, and media outlets.

    https://www.alicehama.com/

    Learn about Tippsy’s Editorial process

    Recent posts

    Sign up to receive special offers and sake inspiration!