The Fushimi District of Kyoto has prospered as a prominent area of sake brewing since the latter half of the 16th century. It was when the area was a renowned castle town within Japan.
People know the area of Fushimi originally as “伏流水”, or ‘underground water’ in English. The area has good quality ‘underground water’ flows freely and citizens like royals and samurai, as well as the Emperor himself had loved it for over periods.
In such a place, so significant in the history of Japan, Fushimi sake was born.
Any attempt to understand Kyoto’s incredibly rich culture is best accompanied by a taste of Fushimi’s sake – something which will bring history a little closer.
With the longest history in Fushimi, the Tsuki no Katsura brand dates back to 1675. Slightly outside the centre of Fushimi, creating history alongside the Kamogawa River. Another sake that is the representative of Kyoto is Eikun, a brand loved by countless sake fans as the definitive Kyoto sake, with a brewery located along the Takase River, using ‘iwai’ rice, originating in Kyoto. The rice is polished to 45%, creating junmai daiginjo sake. Nowadays, only breweries located in Kyoto can get a permission to use this type of rice.
