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Discovering Ishikawa's Sake Culture

On August 31, 2023, at 9:00 PM, a new series titled 'THE CRAFT SAKE - Exploring Local Brews: Ishikawa Edition' will premiere on the satonoka channel. This show, developed through a partnership between Japan Digital Distribution (JDS) and Kanazawa Cable Company, is the second installment of a series that honors Japan's traditional sake brewing culture while promoting local charm.

The series will delve into the unique stories of five sake breweries scattered across Ishikawa, namely in the regions of Kaga and Noto. Each episode aims to capture the essence of the breweries that tirelessly merge tradition with innovation, crafting exquisite sakes in unique ways.

Episode Highlights

Episode 1: Kusuma Brewery

Location: Noto Town
Kusuma Brewery, which was heavily affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake in January 2024, represents resilience in the face of adversity. The episode will showcase the dedicated efforts of Kusuma’s team as they embark on the journey to revive their sake production after the earthquake. Furthermore, the episode will provide insight into their new sake creations inspired by the charm of Noto, reflecting their deep respect for both the land and its traditions.

Episode 2: Fukumitsuya and Tsuruno Brewery

Location: Kanazawa City
With over 400 years of history, Fukumitsuya Brewery is dedicated to pure rice sake, utilizing contract-farmed rice and the pristine waters of Hyakuan from the White Mountains. This episode also highlights how they supported Tsuruno Brewery after its devastation from the earthquake, taking on the challenge of collaborative brewing by combining two types of yeast to create a brand new sake.

Episode 3: Kurada and Sakurada Brewery

Location: Hakusan City
Renowned for its Yamahai-style brewing, Kurada Brewery demonstrates a commitment to craftsmanship by collaborating with Sakurada Brewery, which also faced disaster during the Noto earthquake. This partnership serves as a remarkable symbol of hope and unity in the local sake community as they blend their skills to develop a distinctive new sake.

Community Rebuilding through Sake

The 'THE CRAFT SAKE' series serves not just to celebrate these breweries but also aims to shine a light on community revitalization efforts following natural disasters. This is crucial, especially as the participating sake breweries work hard to rebuild and innovate amidst their recovery journeys.

Additional Features

As part of the satonoka project, ongoing regional revitalization initiatives will be unveiled, aiming to further elevate local products onto national stages. More details will be announced as plans develop.

Watch and Engage

The first episode focusing on Kusuma Brewery will be available for free viewing on the official satonoka YouTube channel from 9:45 PM on August 31 to 5:00 PM on September 12. The link for streaming is here. Each episode is intricately crafted in 4K, narrated by renowned musician Kiroro, ensuring a high-quality viewing experience.

In addition to the series, the schedule will feature full episodes that highlight Ishikawa’s traditional culture, travel, local cuisine, and more, celebrating the prefecture's rich heritage.

In conclusion, the 'satonoka' project is committed to using its platform to enhance local engagement across Japan. By collaborating with cable television operators and other partners, they aim to showcase the unique charms of regions and support the revitalization of communities through enriching content.