Nago City is often seen as a place to stop on the way from Naha City to the town of Motobu to have a quick lunch at an Okinawan style soba noodle shop.
However, for those who are interested in the tours of distilleries, you can visit three fascinating establishments close to one another.
Tsukayama Shuzou (Tsukayama Distillery) is known to be one of the oldest Awamiri distilleries in Okinawa, and the premise has been designated as a tangible national cultural property by the Cultural Agency of Japan in 2006.
Another place that offers an interesting tour is Orion Beer Brewery, just five-minute drive from Tsukayama Distillery.
Helios Distillery is yet another place visitors can enjoy the study tour of Awamori making. I'd like to share some of the details about the distillery because I visited the place just today.
Founded in 1961 by Tadashi Matsuda, the history of Helios Distillery started from rum making as the founder considered of creating alcoholic beverage that would not rely on imported rice, for there might be a day, according to the founder, when it become impossible to import grains from abroad. If such case really happens, it would still be possible for us to make alcoholic drink because, in Okinawa, we have an abundance of sugar cane. That was an revolutionary idea back then, as few people in those days know about rum.
In 1991, this distillery revolutionized Awamori making yet once again when they introduced "Kura" brand. According to the company's internet site, they drew on their previous experience of rum making and their know-how of aging Awamiro rice wine in barrels.
Tours are offered four times every day (except Dec. 30 -Jan. 3) at 10:30AM, 1:30PM, 3:00PM and 4:30PM.
**The distillery will be closed to visitors when there is a overall maintenance or for other reasons. Confirm whether the tour is conducted or not, prior to your visit.
After a tour is over, visitors are invited to the shop where they can compare different lines of their products. For those who are in charge of driving (designated drivers), herbal tea will be served.
Helios Shop Counter. Visitors are required here to fill in
a simple tour application form. In case of a group participant,
any one person representing the group fill in the form.
You can also apply for the tour on line.
(To go to the online application, click here. Japanese language.)
a simple tour application form. In case of a group participant,
any one person representing the group fill in the form.
You can also apply for the tour on line.
(To go to the online application, click here. Japanese language.)
This storage is not included in the tour course.
Another storage where around 2000 barrels
of Awamori rice wine are stored and aged.
This building is a part of the study tour course
where short video about Helios Distillery is
shown to visitors. The aroma of the rice wine
and the distinct smell of black malt filled
the air inside. White oak trees are imported
all the way from the North America, particularly
from Canada. A on-going project to create Awamori
with an aging period of 100 years is also shown inside
the storage. They started the project just ten years ago,
so it is going to be done in 90 years from now.
Many lines of products are exhibited at the shop.
The bottles at the center are Awamori with aging period
of five years.
At the end of a tour, some samples are offered to
visitors for tasting. Awamori aged in oak barrels tastes
different from Awamori aged in ceramic jars.
