Wandering a small Sake Village

Nishinomiya, a hidden gem in the Kansai region, is a bit off the beaten path for Japan travel. In fact, many travelers may not think to go at all, but if you find yourself exploring Kansai attractions, I'd recommend it for several reasons. The first and most important is quality. Second, because at least when I went, there were exactly zero tourists. I managed to dodge the crowds and found something that transcends the ordinary Japanese travel experience. I call that a win, especially when lines sometimes stretch around the block in more popular destinations, leaving you additional time on your daily roasting schedule in this heat.

Now, you might be wondering, "Why choose Nishinomiya for your Japan itinerary?" Well, let me tell you, it's not just about escaping the tourist traps. This place has a charm that sneaks up on you, like a ninja wielding a sake bottle instead of a sword. It's the kind of town where you can actually hear yourself think, unlike the constant buzz of bigger Japanese cities. And trust me, your thoughts will be pretty darn happy once you've experienced what this off-the-beaten-path destination has to offer.

So, let me get into this location. The reason it was chosen is because it's right next door to a Nihonshu museum, and this trip was a journey to not only try some good nihonshu but to get into Japanese sake tasting for a day. Now, when I say "get into it," I mean really dive deep. We're talking sake immersion here, folks. It's like when you decide to binge-watch a new series, but instead of Netflix, it's rice wine. And let me tell you, it's a binge worth having. From time to time mind you, I'm not Captain Jack Sparrowing my way through the streets of Japan.

Starting around lunchtime (called in reservations, info at the bottom), there were plenty of open seats. Pro tip for dining in Japan: always call ahead. It's like making a reservation for your taste buds to have a party. The atmosphere was open and the place had a modern slightly western vibe with just the right balance of Japanese aesthetic. Picture a zen garden, but with comfy chairs and maybe a hint of jazz in the background. It's the kind of place where you feel instantly cooler just by walking in.

Now, let's talk Japanese cuisine. I got the Soba set with the hot pot made of Sake Lees with fresh local vegetables and thin sliced pork. That, my friend, was one of the best yet, and the special blend of black shichimi that was at the table elevated the dish to a whole other level. It was like my taste buds hit the jackpot and decided to throw a parade. Fun factoid about traditional sake production - Sake lees, known as "sake kasu" (酒粕) in Japanese, are the leftover solids that remain after the liquid sake is pressed from the fermented rice mash during sake production. These lees have a rich, slightly sweet, and umami flavor, and they contain residual alcohol and nutrients from the sake-making process. It was I believe my first time trying them and I gotta say guys my only disappointment was that they had to be kept cool when purchased at the gift shop to take home and as I previously mentioned the temperature outside was set to "surface of the sun." So, needless to say, couldn't take any with me. But wait till winter arrives, I'll be back.

You may have noticed that I almost always order Soba, especially in summer. There's just something about a cold noodle that elevates the Japanese food experience for me. It's simple, straightforward, no-nonsense good flavor, and healthy to boot, so it really feels like a no-brainer to me. It's like the superhero of meals – saves the day without showing off.

So, as usual, when I get the soba, I get tempura because I am a creature of habit. No surprises here. It's my culinary security blanket if you will. The crispy tempura and the cool, slippery soba – it's a match made in food heaven.

What I actually probably should have led with (sorry, got carried away with the noodle talk) is that this is a kaiseki meal, which is, to my understanding, a course set. You get some small appetizers, a variety of dishes, and they are all served one by one. It's like a parade of flavors, each one trying to outdo the last. Now again, this is not a foodie blog, though I do realize that I talk about a lot of restaurants. Travel and food seem to go hand in hand, and my traveling is generally for the purpose of eating. Let's face it, I'm basically a stomach with legs and a camera.

Now, onto the star of the show – the Sake. I had the three-piece sake tasting set here and another glass of the Silk (label name). The silk was so good a bottle made it back home with me. In fact, I believe we ended up with two bottles. It was like liquid velvet, smooth and luxurious. Maybe I'll drag my lights out and snap a couple of shots to throw in here because I'd highly recommend them both, though the name of the other one escapes me. I'll come back and add it...promise. (Spoiler alert: I probably won't remember, but the intention is there!)

As a photographer, I know I'm supposed to be careful about my images since I've been told some of my images don't add appeal lol. But you know what? I'm not here to advertise the food. I have one simple purpose with this blog, and that is to share cool places, not advertise food. That said, I have tried to make an additional effort. So bear with me, folks. I go to enjoy the food and atmosphere; these images only go here to hopefully give you an idea of what to expect. It's like a visual appetizer for your eventual trip to Japan.

Now, let's talk about the Sake Museum! The Hakushika Memorial Museum of Sake is the full name and this is THE BEST sake brewery tour I have been to yet, with the Geikeikan sake tour coming in second. This one was way, way better in the sense that you could really tell they cared and put a massive effort into the display and the preservation of the traditional method of Sake brewing. They even had these wooden sculptures showing how the brewers once would have worked over the barrels. The displays, there was a liberal smattering of English, a video that you could watch, and interactive displays to see what it was like to carry or step into one of the barrels. It was like a Mini-Disney for sake lovers, minus the long lines and overpriced mouse ears.

Just, honestly, it was a really good little museum that is perfect for any food nerd. I felt like I had a decent grip on how the process of making Sake worked, and that's really cool. It's the kind of place where you walk in knowing nothing about sake and walk out feeling like you could maybe, possibly, with a lot of practice and some magic, make your own. (probably not, but it's nice to dream.)

Now, walking around the town, it was like 36 degrees outside with no cloud cover, so I was dying. I would love to say I took a casual stroll, but I hoofed it over to the next sake shop I could find, which was called (Name?). This place was so cool, it was built in what I believe to be an old warehouse from the Meiji era. They had a beautiful outer garden that I peered at through the window and breezed by when going to the restroom. It was just hot as hell, and I wasn't having it. I mean, I appreciate nature and all, but not when it feels like I'm walking on the surface of the sun.

I did, however, sample the Nihonshu, and that is worth writing home about. They had 2 different 3-piece sake sets where you could sample 3 different sakes at the counter. It wasn't as cool inside as I would have liked it, but for a building that appeared to be as old as the United States, it was cool enough. I mean, it's not every day you get to drink sake in a place that's seen more history than your high school textbook.

They also, of course, had a great little gift shop where you can buy a number of different Nihonshu bottles and shochu of varying prices, along with some great Japanese pickles. It's the kind of place where you walk in thinking you'll just buy one souvenir and walk out with a bag full of stuff and a significantly lighter wallet.

So, there you have it – my Nishinomiya adventure in all its sake-soaked, soba-slurping glory. It's a town that might not be on your Japan travel radar, but trust me, it should be. Whether you're a sake enthusiast, a Japanese cuisine lover, or just someone who enjoys experiencing local culture without the tourist crowds, Nishinomiya has something for you. Just remember if you go now during the summer to bring a hat, some sunscreen, and an empty stomach for all the amazing Japanese food. You're gonna need 'em.

Address: Hakushika Classics, 7-7 Kurakakecho, Nishinomiya, Hyogo 662-0926 - a must-visit spot for any sake brewery tour in Japan (brewery next door so only added restaurant address). Phone number is :+81798350001