This Junmai Ginjo Genshu sake was matured alongside and chilled by a massive amount of snow stored in the same insulated room, known as our “Yukimuro”. This method of storing food at low temperatures, using the abundant snow provided by nature, has been used traditionally in our snowy region of Uonuma, Japan for centuries. From the cold of the snow alone, temperature is naturally kept stable at 3 degrees Celsius without the use of electricity. After three years, the sake becomes round and very smooth.
| Alcohol | 17.0% |
| sake meter value | -1.0 |
| acidity | 1.5 |
| amino acid | 1.3 |
| koji rice used | Yamadanishiki |
| brewing rice used | Gohyakumangoku , Yukinosei |
| rice-polishing ratio | 50% |
| yeast | Kyokai No. 1001、M310 |
Numerical values, such as alcohol percentages, may vary.
Yukimuro, Snow Storage
The Hakkaisan Yukimuro is a facility where winter snow is stored and is used as a natural refrigerator to keep food fresh during the summer time. Since ancient times, people have used snow to store things, and it appears in the “Nihon Shoki”, the oldest writings in Japan from the Nara era (710~794). The Yukimuro is usually divided into two side by side spaces; snow piled up on one side, and sake tanks and food items directly next to it. No electricity is used for Yukimuro storage. The natural cold air coming off of the snow alone is what does the chilling. It is an environmentally friendly food storage system developed through the wisdom of living in snow country from ancient times.
Benefits of the Yukimuro
Sake is delicate and even the slightest vibration or change in the environment can trigger deterioration. The reliable conditions of the Yukimuro provide perfect stability, yet with high ambient moisture and without exposure to light.
Yukimuro Snow Storage Tour
This guided tour takes you to the 4℃ natural refrigerated sake storage facility. Experience the spectacular view of 1000 metric tons of snow.
Tour Overview
1. Entrance
Introduction of the area and the facility.
2. Yukimuro Snow Storage
Beyond the heavy door, you will enter into the space where the temperature is kept at 4℃ all year round.
3. Sake Maturation tanks and the Snow
The Snow Aged Junmai Ginjo sake is matured in stainless steel tanks, while the 1000 metric tons of snow keeps the space calm and quiet.
4. Shochu Cave
After the snow storage area, you will enter into the Oak Barrel Rice Shochu Maturing Room. The Memorial Shochu is also maturing in this room.
5. Tasting Counter
Tasting counter offers variety of Hakkaisan products to try out.
6. Yukimuro Sennen Kojiya Shop
Here you can purchase Hakkaisan and Sennen Kojiya products along with Yukumuro Snow Storage matured vegetables, coffee and other local delicacies.
INFORMATION
| Tour Schedule | ①10:30 ②11:00 ③11:30 ④12:30 ⑤13:00 ⑥13:30 ⑦14:00 ⑧14:30 ⑨15:00 ⑩15:30 |
| Tour duration | 15min |
| Tour Capacity | 15 people |
| Admission | Free |
| Attention | •It is very cold inside of the storage, so please bring something to keep warm. • There might be a large difference in temperature between outside and inside. If you don’t feel well or you have a condition that might be affected by a sudden drop in temperature, please refrain from entering. • Tour schedule might change without announcement. |
| Registration | Please register on-site. A sign-in sheet is available by the cash register. • Reservations are not accepted by phone or email. |