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Okayama > Kurashiki > Junmai Omachi Hekiten Sake

Junmai Omachi Hekiten Sake

Discover Kibi’s Sake-Brewing Heritage, Celebrated Since the Age of the Manyoshu

Yoikigen is one of Okayama Prefecture’s long-established sake breweries. Its history dates back to 1907, when its founder, Watanabe Sutekichi, began brewing sake in Shimotsumichi Hoida Village, now part of Kurashiki City. Among the brewery’s offerings, its most popular product is Junmai Omachi Hekiten, a sake that showcases the distinctive character of Omachi rice.

The brewery uses groundwater filtered naturally through the riverbed of the Takahashi River. For Hekiten, it selects Omachi rice, a prized sake-rice variety known for its large central starch core, called the *shinpaku*, and its soft texture. The rice is polished in-house before being fermented slowly at low temperatures, allowing the sake to develop depth and complexity.

A Rich Aroma and Full-Bodied Flavor

Junmai Omachi Hekiten offers an inviting aroma that combines citrus notes reminiscent of grapefruit with the mellow fragrances that develop during maturation. Its scent is rich, rounded, and composed, while the flavor delivers substantial umami and a pronounced alcoholic character.

This sake pairs particularly well with flavorful Japanese dishes such as grilled chicken skewers (*yakitori*) and grilled eel glazed with a sweet-savory sauce (*unagi kabayaki*). Its versatility also makes it enjoyable at different serving temperatures. Try it lightly chilled to appreciate its fresh aromas, gently warmed to bring out its rounded character, or served hot for a more pronounced, warming experience.

For travelers exploring Kurashiki and the wider Okayama region, Junmai Omachi Hekiten offers a chance to experience the area’s traditional sake culture and the distinctive qualities of Omachi rice, a variety deeply associated with Okayama’s brewing heritage.

Information

Name
Junmai Omachi Hekiten Sake
Link
Official Site

Kurashiki

Okayama