Wajyo Waraku | Vol. 15: In a Rice-Growing Town, the Aspirations of a Small Sake Shop: Saibayashi Honten
A Small Sake Shop's Vision in a Rice-Growing Town
From Sake to Regional Revitalization: Kogota's Local Sake Shop, Sairin Honten
Sairin Honten, Kogota's local sake shop, is located in Misato Town (formerly Kogota Town) in northern Miyagi Prefecture. The Eai River and Naruse River, originating from the Ou Mountains, flow through the town, and agriculture, blessed with abundant water, is the core industry. With 70 percent of the town's area being rice paddies… our pride is, of course, our rice. After all, this is the 'Home of Sasanishiki and Hitomebore.' But people often say it's just a rural town with nothing but rice paddies… that's not true!! If we immerse ourselves in our town, there must be something this sake shop can do to make it shine!
Text and Photos by Wajo Waraku
Sake Shop Initiates Sake Rice Cultivation and Cultivates Sake Fans for Regional Revitalization
Rice Artisan, Takeshi Naedae
However, as a sake shop, I had no experience in rice cultivation. So, it all began with persuading our town's Robert De Niro, rice artisan Takeshi Naedae.
First attempt: Rejected.
Second attempt: He agreed to listen.
Third attempt: Drinking sake – discussing the sake rice of the sake we were drinking.
Fourth attempt: Drinking sake – he seemed to really like the sake. His wife, who never drank sake, made her sake debut.
Fifth attempt: Drinking sake – I brought sake that his wife liked, and with her on my side, I succeeded in persuading him. It was truly the power of 'nomi-nication' (communication through drinking).
Sake rice cultivation began from there. As the years passed, people naturally gathered. What started with one farm has gained the support of neighboring farmers, and before we knew it, we had gathered so many cheerful companions.
Our town's farmers are gaining attention.
Many people are visiting our town.
It was a brief moment, but our town shone. Rice paddies are something familiar. But, everyone! Have you ever stepped into one barefoot? Those who were moved by the warmth of the mud and fully experienced the hardship of the work and the joy of a bountiful harvest will surely drink sake made from the harvested rice. And from those who have connected with nature, new participants are drawn in through sake! Sake has the power to be conveyed in this way! The possibilities that unfold from sake feel infinite.
And conveying it to future drinkers. Children participate through agricultural experience. 'For my dad!' 'So that delicious sake can be made!' Their earnest efforts. It would be wonderful if, when they turn 20, they could enjoy sake with family and friends, saying, 'I helped grow sake rice when I was little!'
A Little Delicious Story About Sake
Sake is by no means a stiff drink. Not all members of the sake rice cultivation group were sake fans to begin with. Some wives whose husbands drank but they themselves didn't... have now taken the lead in choosing sake, all thanks to the 'sake rice cultivation' initiative.
The trigger for drinking sake. Isn't this the crucial point? I believe sake is a drink that exists intimately within everyone's daily lives, is delicious, enjoyable, and adaptable to all environments and scenes. It's fine to choose by brand or taste! It's also fine to choose based on your mood today – choose by your emotions! It's fine to choose based on the occasion, like a commemorative day or sharing a hot pot with friends! Even if you're drinking to drown your sorrows after a breakup, if you're going to drink, drink something delicious! You might even find yourself smiling unexpectedly after a sip. Our job is to help you find such wonderful encounters with sake. From sake fans to future sake fans, we aim to turn 'zero cups into one cup'! As a sake shop in a rice-growing region, we will provide sake that suits you.
I hope you will consider me.
(Takashi Saito)
Sairin Honten (Sairin), Kogota's Local Sake Shop
124 Machiyashiki, Minami-Kogota, Misato Town, Tōda District, Miyagi Prefecture
Tel. 022-32-2304
Business Hours | 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Closed: First and third Sundays of every month
jackie-brown3829@minos.ocn.ne.jp
The nearest station is 'Kogota.' If you are coming by train, please contact us in advance. It is quite a long walk.
Especially on snowy days, you might not make it.