To state an obvious fact, the most crucial factor for making good sake is good ingredients – especially water and rice.
Hakkaisan draws water from the sacred Mr. Hakkai. The groundwater from this mountain, known as ‘spring water of the god Raiden’ is used for every aspect of Hakkaisan’s sake brewing. For rice, Yamadanishiki and Gohyakumangoku is grown by carefully selected farmers.
The resulting sake transcends human intention and ego. Nothing is overbearing about the treasure created with ultimate ingredients and techniques. Its light, crisp taste and aroma are perfectly balanced, and it retains the true flavor of sake without interfering with the food paired with it. It is a sake that never bores the palate – a sake that leaves an impression.
Hakkaisan’s Philosophy
‘How can one make good sake’
This questions was answered over a century ago, and the techniques for sake brewing has long been established. It is said that the only way to brew good sake is by carefully following these techniques and procedures. Generally speaking, good sake can only be produced in small amounts. However, brewing only prized, expensive sake will lead to its extinction, as will brewing only cheap, low-quality sake. Faced with such a threat, Hakkaisan felt a duty to improve the quality of everyday sake and raise the standards.
Hakkaisan brews the Futsushu, ‘table sake’ using high quality Ginjo sake techniques. Ginjo is brewed to match Daiginjo quality.
Download Hakkaisan Brewery Philosophy PDF.
wiki // about
Niigata (新潟市 Niigata-shi, Japanese: [niːɡata]) is the capital and the most populous city of Niigata Prefecture located in the Chūbu region of Japan. It faces the Sea of Japan and Sado Island.
As of 1 June 2016, the city had an estimated population of 807,450, and a population density of 1,110 persons per km2. The total area is 726.45 square kilometres (280.48 sq mi). Greater Niigata, Niigata Metropolitan Employment Area, has a GDP of US$43.3 billion as of 2010.[2][3]
With a long history as a port town, Niigata became a free port following the Meiji Restoration. Niigata’s city government was established in 1889. Mergers with nearby municipalities in 2005 allowed the city’s population to jump to 810,000. The annexation of the surrounding area has also given the city the greatest rice paddy field acreage in Japan. On April 1, 2007, it became the first government-designated city on the Japan Sea coast of Honshu.
Niigata is situated on a fertile coastal plain on the Sea of Japan coast, facing Sado Island. The Shinano River and Agano River flow through the city.
Numerous wetlands, such as the Fukushimagata wetlands, can be found within the city limits. The Sakata lagoon is registered as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Niigata City’s low elevation and abundant water have made flood control and land reclamation important issues for the area throughout its history.
The city is sometimes called the “City of Water” (水の都 Mizu-no-miyako) because of the two rivers that flow through it, its position next to the Japan Sea, its many wetlands, and the canals that used to run through the city. It is also sometimes referred to as the “City of Willows” (柳の都 Yanagi-no-miyako) or Ryuto (柳都) because of the willow trees that lined the old canals. In recent years, the city has been promoting itself as a “Designated City of Food and Flowers” (食と花の政令市 Shoku to hana no seireishi), highlighting its agricultural areas outside of the city center.
Climate
Niigata City features a humid subtropical climate, despite receiving more yearly snowfall than cities such as Moscow, Montreal or Oslo. The climate in Niigata City is characterized by its high humidity and strong winds from the Sea of Japan. While many other parts of Niigata Prefecture tend to have heavy snow, Niigata City itself usually receives less due to its low-lying elevation and the shielding effect of Sado Island.
However, Niigata City does receive much precipitation, mostly in the form of rainfall. On average, Niigata City has 269 days of precipitation each year, about 170 days of which see rain or snowfall measuring over 1 mm.[6] The rainy season in July brings large amounts of rain, while the winter months, especially November and December, also have much precipitation.[7]
In summer, the south wind makes the weather rather hot. Typhoons usually bring strong foehn winds to this area, generally causing somewhat higher temperatures than in other parts of Japan. The weather on the west coast of Honshu tends to be better during the summer months than on the Pacific coast.
Alo Japan.