Written by Aarohi Narain
Mochida Sake Brewery is a family-run sake producer located in the historic merchant street in Izumo’s Hirata district.
The brewing complex, along the Momen Kaidō, comprises multiple Meiji-era wooden buildings. These have been officially registered as a set of Tangible Cultural Properties by the Japanese government.
While most breweries hang a traditional sugidama, a ball made from cedar branches, to mark the arrival of freshly brewed sake, Mochida follows its own custom. On the day the first batch of new sake is pressed, the tōji master cuts fresh bamboo from the nearby mountains and, with the help of the brewing team, props it against the eaves of the tiled roof.
What to look out for
Sample three brews in a tasting flight (¥1,000). Look for bottles made with Shimane-grown Gohyakumangoku or Kairyo Omachi rice varieties, prized for their smooth, fragrant profiles.
Tours
It is possible to tour the brewery (¥3,500 per person, includes samples).
