Series: Japanese Sake and Joy | Part 29: "Sudo Shoten" - Proposing a Richer Life with Alcohol
Proposing a Richer Life with Sake
A Curated Selection of Local Sake: Sudou Shoten
This installment features Sudou Shoten, located in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Here, we introduce this renowned shop, celebrated for its unique local selection, and share topics related to the store.
Text and Photos by Wajo Waraku
Local Sake to Enrich Tsukuba's Lifestyle
Sudou Shoten is located in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Tsukuba City is known nationwide as a "Science City," a hub of cutting-edge science. It is also rich in greenery, with Mount Tsukuba to the north, and thriving agriculture yielding abundant specialty products like high-quality Koshihikari rice and blueberries. Furthermore, since the opening of the Tsukuba Express, it's possible to reach Akihabara in just 45 minutes. In this city, we have been fortunate to have customers seeking high-quality sake, and we have specialized in local sake from early on. We aim to support the enriched lifestyles of Tsukuba's residents.
“A city offering robust urban amenities, abundant nature, and an intellectual environment unique to a science hub”—Tsukuba City is a place where one can enjoy these charms while living. The magazine "Tsukuba Style," which promotes this lifestyle as a unique appeal of Tsukuba, has published 10 volumes and is available in bookstores. If you are interested in "Tsukuba Style," please pick up a copy. Now, we will introduce the topics for October: the "Sake Day Walk" and the "79th Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition."
October 2010: Praying for the Further Development of Sake in Tokyo and Tsuchiura
“Sake Day Walk”
This event is an awareness campaign to widely promote sake, a traditional Japanese culture, and to change its image. With the support of brewers, sake retailers, related parties, restaurants, and general sake fans involved in sake production across Japan, approximately 100 people participated. We walked through the streets of Ginza, calling out, "October 1st is Sake Day," "Let's toast with sake," and "Let's enjoy sake responsibly."
"Provided by Jun Suzuki, Sake Photographer"
“October 1st: Visit to Meiji Jingu Shrine”
On Sake Day, October 1st, members of Wajo Waraku visited Meiji Jingu Shrine to offer sake from our partner brewers and pay our respects. We prayed for the further development of sake.
“79th Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition”
The 79th Tsuchiura All Japan Fireworks Competition was held on the evening of October 2nd along the riverbank in neighboring Tsuchiura City. Approximately 20,000 fireworks were launched, attracting an estimated 800,000 spectators (according to organizers). As it is a competition, we witnessed the skills of fireworks artists vying for the top spot in Japan across three categories of creative fireworks. It is a prestigious event where the most outstanding company receives the Prime Minister's Award. Sipping sake in the autumn breeze while watching the fireworks was truly sublime.
We hope to help more people understand the appeal of sake and support enriched lives with sake.
Sudou Shoten
2985-2 Yatabe, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture
Tel. 029-836-0079
FAX. 029-836-0026
http://www.zizake.e-tsukuba.jp/index.htm