A Comeback for the Ages?! A Perfect Balance of Sake that even Sensei Hattori had to Taste to Believe
This time, Mr. Hattori came to the town of Ino The Niyodo River is still beautiful. Ranked number one in Japan for water quality a total of eight times over the past ten years. The breathtakingly clear Niyodo River is flowing. There is a sake brewery in such a town that has been loved for more than 140 years. In December 2017, the sake brewing industry in Kochi was severely shaken That sake brewery known for its Takiarashi and other offerings Kochi Sake Brewery has gone out of business. But now Carefully sourced local chicken from across the country and Yamagidori: a popular spot to enjoy Japanese sake. This is the Niyodogawa River. A bottle crafted by Kochi Brewery in a bold bid for revival. The Niyodogawa River was overflowing. Delicious and easy to drink This was incredibly tasty! It has a lovely aroma but is very easy to drink. It’s a kind of premium alcohol. I believe this fragrance has a unique quality like nothing else I’ve encountered. We have a lot of foreign guests. Thank you for coming. Customers who enjoy vibrant drinks are After all, I think they will be quite happy Especially for customers in the Asian region Niyodogawa has gained popularity in international markets. Expanded from zero export destinations to six countries around the world in just two years Tokyo Kojimachi is the driving force behind this rapid progress Kochi Shuzo Senior Advisor Keiji Takao Mr. Takao changed the world He/She is known as a key figure behind a certain invention. I invented this 24 years ago. The world’s first mobile phone with a camera Now it’s also available on smartphones. That has evolved into social media. The main source of this is this model That’s amazing! The inventor of the revolutionary camera phone that took the world by storm. How did Mr. Takao revitalize the brewery? Hello I look forward to working with you today. I appreciate your cooperation. Are you a member of the family? I am a member of the company’s staff. I see. Kochi Sake Brewery located in the upper reaches of the Niyodo River Among the 18 sake breweries in Kochi It is known to be the nearest warehouse to Niyodo River The water used for brewing sake is right in front of the brewery. This is groundwater from a tributary of the Niyodo River. It’s very transparent, isn’t it? It’s very transparent Please do try the special preparation water! No, it’s good Thank you! It’s delicious, really. Thank you. It is such a beautiful river. The original warehouse of Kochi Sake Brewery was established in 1883 during the Meiji era. In 1944, there were four municipalities Twenty-eight sake manufacturers have come together in a merger. Kochi Brewery was established. In the 90s, about 300 million yen a year I had a sale. Eventually, it continued to decline. Applied for civil rehabilitation under Japanese law in 2017. under the new management As a member of the team revitalizing the storehouse Two and a half years ago, Mr. Takao was struck by a white feather Do you enjoy drinking? Yes, I like it, I drink it every day I like it, so I want to get into it The initial challenge is how to grow the market. Mr. Takao’s target was the Tokyo metropolitan area Above all, the emphasis was on overseas Why is Japanese sake popular overseas? In short, Japanese food was introduced 11 years ago It has been recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This led to a rapid increase in the number of Japanese restaurants. In particular, including China and Hong Kong, it is basically Southeast Asian. Because there has been a significant increase After all, when you eat Japanese food After all, Japan sake as a marriage Exports of Japan sake are also growing steadily Yes, it is now finished in a fragrant and fruity liquor This is Tosa sake made with CEL-24 yeast from Kochi. The popularity in places like Hong Kong has reached a level where production can’t keep up. However, the popular brewery is already fixed We can’t enter the market without differentiation. CEL-24 features a bright acidity that complements its sweetness. sake that pairs well with food Mr. Takao came up with a trick that was even more there The first encounter has a sweet aroma. I like the fruity vibe. The aroma disappears the moment you finish drinking it After all, with various dishes When I think about marriage. You shouldn’t interfere with the dish. I hope things will be different when I’m drinking. But I hope the scent fades away the moment I start cooking. I was presented with that difficult question. Mr. Higashi, who was appointed to the position four years ago For many years, he has been making famous sake as master brewer at Fumimoto Sake Brewery Artisans who have made their mark on the world Well, it’s a bit difficult Emotionally, I have no choice but to do what I can do I wonder what it tastes like in the end. Junmai Daiginjo Sake from the Niyodogawa River Dr. Hattori, what do you think? The taste of CEL-24 is sweet, isn’t it? As for us, while drinking It’s fragrant. Feel refreshed after you’ve finished your drink. It’s really working well. Thank you so much. You must feel really good. Thank you. The appeal of the new alcoholic beverage How should I communicate with people from abroad? What is the main appeal of this alcohol? The answer provided by Takao is Japanese sake breweries. Most people are paying attention to rice as well. Different types of rice are even featured on the labels. I think I might be water. There are countries where foreigners can just turn on the tap and drink the water safely. There are very few of them Japan’s water is tap water that can be drunk And it’s happened as many as 8 times over the past 10 years in Japan. There’s a river that’s been recognized as the clearest in all of Japan. From their point of view, it’s much better By making an appeal through the names of rivers, I think we can differentiate ourselves. This is how the new sake was named Niyodogawa And in January 2023 Kochi Brewery takes the spirit of the Niyodogawa to Hong Kong. We participated in the largest liquor trade fair in Asia. Amid a gathering of numerous buyers from around the world. Mr. Takao said that the sake was made from the best river in Japan Make a full appeal Then, the aim was brilliantly on target Capturing attention and The comments that come back are quite revealing. The aroma is very fruity. Why are you so upset? The buyers are bringing people with them. It’s delicious here, so everyone should drink it. I ended up being surrounded by a dozen or so people. A really small cup used for sampling. It was so bustling that I couldn’t keep up. I really felt that it was well-received there. After that, one after another Join the event attended by overseas buyers. As a result, Kochi Sake Brewery We have reached the point of exporting to six countries. However, Mr. Takao was not satisfied. I came up with an additional mechanism. It involves six municipalities. International Photography Competition The theme is photos that make you want to visit Niyodogawa. The prize is 1 million yen. It’s comparable to contests organized by leading camera manufacturers. This is an unprecedented figure. In fact, it has become much more well-known I was thinking. During our conversation While engaging with opinions from people abroad I’ve come to understand once more that I really haven’t done anything abroad at all. Mr. Takao’s aim is to raise the profile of the Niyodo River. Attracting new tourists to Kochi At the same time The river’s name is the same as the sake brand. The Niyodogawa River is known for its beauty. Equals that Japan sake Niyodogawa That beautiful image is what I mean. By overlapping or accumulating There’s also a brand called Niyodogawa. Isn’t it going to go up and up? Working together with the community towards a shared dream. Mr. Takao is making steady progress Come on, Takao-san, the best marriage of Niyodogawa Could you please let me know? pickles made with sake lees Ginjo lees, miso, sake, mirin, etc. Pickles made with sake lees from the Niyodogawa. It tastes like CEL-24. This is sweet simmered ayu (sweetfish). CEL-24 sake without using water Let’s enjoy this sake. It’s made with zarame, mirin, and soy sauce It’s a good match, isn’t it? Thank you! It’s easier to eat by using alcohol By pairing the drinking alcohol with the cooking wine, It creates a sense of unity Now, what do you do with the marriage of the Niyodogawa to Mr Hattori-? Mr. Hattori chose Raised over three times the normal duration. Vegetables like tomatoes that are very sweet. What exactly is this dish? Time to dig in! Chinese? It also smells of spices At first glance, it looks like vinegar pork, doesn’t it? Stir-fried summer vegetables with a kick of black pepper. A perfect summer dish The overall picture is First of all, summer vegetables are sweetened and umami. To fully bring out the flavors through deep frying. The fried chicken is made with fragrant Niyodogawa, soy sauce, and egg yolk. We rub in the seasoning and then deep-fry it. If you do it without frying, it tastes very mediocre As soon as it is fried, the whole thing tightens up It’s going to be like wow And give it a scent with ginger, garlic and green onions I will serve karaage with lightly fried summer vegetables. The seasoning is made with chicken stock from the Niyodogawa. A sauce made with black pepper and other ingredients. By incorporating the Niyodogawa. Creates a harmonious experience when paired with alcohol. Finally, add the tomatoes and drizzle with sesame oil. Tomatoes should pair well with Niyodogawa. The aroma of tomatoes enhances the overall experience. What do you guys think? tasty Taste of the vegetables themselves is effective. The chicken has a strong alcohol aroma. I can’t help but want to drink. The taste of pepper remains after It makes me want to drink again The Niyodogawa flows like a blend of the flavors of food and drink down my throat. Now, Mr. Hattori, which brewery will we meet next?
[Turn on subtitles (CC) for English!]
Let’s Meet at the Brewery with Yukio Hattori
In “Let’s Meet at the Brewery,” we tour sake breweries across Kochi Prefecture.
This episode takes us to Kochi Shuzo in Ino Town, situated right beside the pristine Niyodo River.
After overcoming bankruptcy in 2017, Kochi Shuzo developed the Junmai Daiginjo “Niyodogawa,” utilizing Kochi’s unique yeast CEL24. “Niyodogawa” achieves a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, offering a vibrant aroma that remarkably fades just before eating, thus complementing rather than overpowering dishes. It is now exported to six countries worldwide.
Additionally, the brewery hosts an international photography contest themed around the Niyodo River, promoting the region’s charm alongside their sake.
Professor Yukio Hattori pairs “Niyodogawa” with a Chinese-inspired dish featuring tomatoes with sweetness levels exceeding a Brix rating of 9, deep-fried vegetables, and soy-marinated fried chicken. The refreshing essence reminiscent of the clear river creates an outstanding harmony between sake and cuisine.
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This academic-style program delves deeply into Kochi’s culinary traditions, scientifically analyzing the origin, development, cooking methods, and enjoyment of regional ingredients through visually stunning presentations.
Broadcast every Saturday in relay format on:
• RKC Kochi Broadcasting
• KUTV TV Kochi
• KSS Kochi Sun Sun TV
Nature World Kochi – “Miracle Gastronomy” Official Website:
URL: https://www.bisyokugaku.jp/
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