Sake Industry News. Issue #135.

Welcome to Issue #135 of SIN.

Just about everyday for the past few weeks the news in Japan has been covering the World Expo being held in Osaka. So far, the Expo has received a rather lukewarm reception from the locals - many of whom recognize the government’s endgame of turning the newly built Yumeshima (Dream Island), the Expo’s location, into Japan’s first casino. However, interest from overseas visitors has been steady and while the concept of a World Expo might seem a little dated in this day and age of a “small world” created by social media, YouTube, Zoom and the Internet in general, it has still been a source of interest for many to see and experience different countries and their cultures.

Of course, as part of promoting the World Expo to foreign visitors, Japan is also pushing its own culture as a major drawcard. Given the rates of tourism in Japan over the past year it could be argued that there’s hardly anything needed to be done on that front, but it is still a valid opportunity to put Japan’s national drink to the forefront of the attention lavished on the country. At the World Expo Italy is actually the country leading by example; offering Shichiken Sparkling from Yamanashi Prefecture to VIP guests and dignitaries visiting the Italian pavilion.

Here’s hoping more people return to their country with a greater appreciation for sake.

And now for the news…

Hakutsuru Gets A Green Thumb

Hyogo- Hakutsuru has created a small vegetable farm on its brewing site. Hakutsuru, Japan’s second largest brewery, has collaborated with SPICE CUBE, an Osaka-based indoor cultivation equipment manufacturer for the project. The process involves using CO2 produced during the sake brewing process to grow as many as 40 different herbs such as shiso, basil and mint which will be used in the production of Hakutsuru gin.

Hakutsuru is looking to achieve sustainable brewing practices through adopting new recycling initiatives. The project will run until the end of June at Hakutsuru Sake Craft, the brewery’s new microbrewery operation which opened in September last year inside the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum.