Breweries
In Kurume, sake breweries have been established around the Chikugo River since the Edo period. In addition to sake, there is a Kyoho winery that brews various kinds of fruit wines besides grapes and a very unusual shochu brewery that uses aromatic sesame seeds.
Kyoho Winery
The winery staff will show you the underground wine cellar and vineyard. Kyoho grape wine produced in Kurume is fruity and has a unique refreshing taste, unlike ordinary grape wine. At the restaurant "HEURIGE", visitors can enjoy wines made from strawberries (Amaou), blueberries, kiwi, persimmons, mandarin oranges, plums, peaches, etc., which can also be purchased at the "forest shop MINOU".
Admission is free
Lunch: ¥1,430-¥2,640
【Access】
By Train JR kyu-dai line
Get off Tanushimaru station, 9 minutes by taxi.
【Website】
https://www.kyoho-winery.com/english/index.html
Mori-no-Hanare
Morinokura Sake Brewery
Morinokura Sake Brewery was established in 1898. Sake is brewed using locally grown sake rice and groundwater with a clear, soft flavor.
Visitors can enjoy sake tasting and shop in a very nice atmosphere at "Mori-no-Hanare," which was renovated from the main house.
Flight of two sakes. Two sakes of your choice from a selection of 6 types (60ml each) + Appetizers.
¥500 (Use 'Kurume Kurukuru tickets')
【Access】
By Train Nishitetsu Tenjin-Omuta line
Get off Mizuma station, 3 minutes on foot.
【Website】
http://www.morinokura.co.jp/hanareA/hanarewebA.html (Japanese)
Beniotome Brewery
They brew rare shochu made from sesame seeds and have received the highest gold award in the Monde Selection.
You can enjoy traditional dishes at the restaurant “Minou-saryo" which is an old private house from more than 400 years ago.
Admission is free
Lunch: ¥2,000
【Access】
By Train JR kyu-dai line
Get off Tanushimaru station, 9 minutes by taxi.
【Website】
https://beniotome.co.jp/ (Japanese)
Hiyokutsuru
Sake Brewery
Guidance (tasting is available) while brewery staff explains various places such as milling rice, koji room, and bottling factory. With a souvenir of Masu and strap (or original origami).
¥500 (Use 'Kurume Kurukuru tickets')
【Access】
By Train Nishitetsu Tenjin-Omuta line
Get off Daizenji station, 15 minutes by taxi.
【Website】
https://www.hiyokutsuru.co.jp/ (Japanese)
Wakatakeya Sake Brewery
The Wakatakeya Sake Brewery was founded in the Edo period. The warehouse, built over 300 years ago, is still in use, and you can taste fresh sake under the thick beams carved with history.
In addition to the delicious sake, there are also rare sakes such as "Hakata Nerizake", a celebratory sake for weddings, New Year's, and other occasions. This sake was drunk by the warlords of Japan's Warring States period before battles. It has a low alcohol content and a sour taste like yogurt.
Other recommended drinks are "Hachikoku Amazake (8-grain Sweet Sake)", which is rich in nutrients and is called "drinking intravenous drip", and plum wine.
【Access】
By Train JR kyu-dai line
Get off Tanushimaru station, 12 minutes on foot.
【Website】
https://wakatakeya.com/ (Japanese)
