Welcome to the World of Japanese Sake

Sake is one of the most famous products in Snow Country which produces some of the best in the whole of Japan. Japanese visitors invariably pick up a bottle or two to take back with them as souvenirs of their trip and visitors from other countries often find themselves becoming fans once they have tried real sake.

Sake is a vast subject similar to fine wine in its complexity but no need to feel out of depth with this handy guide from the Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association. They provide an easy to understand explanation of everything you need to know and explanation on how to get the most out of it.

Armed with your new-found knowledge you might be ready to tackle the Wall of Sake in Echigo Yuzawa Station where you can taste sakes from all over the region of all different types. There are normally some sheets in the back right hand corner in English that offer a guide to the labels and varieties.

Or if your interest is really piqued you can go on a tour of the Shirataki Sake Brewery.

Happy My Birthday in Yuzawa

If you are lucky enough to have a birthday between 10th December and 30th April you are in line for some free stuff in Yuzawa this winter. It's the Happy My Birthday Campaign.

Head to the Tourist Information Office on the West Side of Echigo Yuzawa Station on your actual birthday to register and you will get your birthday card (and lanyard if you are one of the first 500.) You are now set to pick up a whole bunch of free stuff from resorts, restaurants, shops and hotels in the area.

There are 8 resorts offering free lift passes (Nakazato, Yuzawa Park, Iwappara, Kandatsu, NASPA, Ipponsugi, Yuzawa Kogen and GALA) and a whole host of accommodations and shops offering free drinks, cakes, discounts, etc. Some pretty good bargains to be had among the 40 odd establishments taking part so well worth trying to get the day off and head up to Yuzawa on your birthday.

Happy My Birthday Campaign flyer - you are going to need to produce some official photo ID with your birthday on to get the goodies.

Ponshukan - Sake Tasting

Snow Country produces some of the best rice in Japan and also some of the best sake. Throughout the prefecture there are almost one hundred sake producers making many different kinds of sake. Sake is a vast subject comparable to fine wine in its complexity and different tastes. The Ponshukan or Japanese Sake Hall in Echigo Yuzawa Station can help guide you through the sake maze.

They have gathered together the 96 different brands from the region and offer them up for your delectation. 500 yen buys you 5 tokens, and armed with a tasting cup you can try the offerings from the different makers lined up on the wall of vending machines. It is fascinating to try the different styles and tastes, and you are sure to find some that suit your palette better than others.

If you find some you like there is a shop close by selling all the favorite brands. There is also a onsen topped up with sake in the same building if you fancy a hot spring bath with a difference. Or you can wander around the shopping area tasting the free samples of the local produce on offer.