SAKIMOTO SHUZO - OKINAWA PRÉFECTURE

The Distillery of Mr. Sakimoto is located on the island of Yonaguni, one of the most remote places from Japanese main islands. In fact, Yonguni is at 2 000km southwest of Tokyo, and only 100 km away from Taiwan ! In the past, Yonaguni was part of the Kingdom of Ruykyu which included the islands in the surrounding, doing the junction between Japan and Chinese mainland. Economically, it was a very active area. Mr. Sakimoto is one of three producers of the island which counts only 1300 inhabitants. Since 1927, the distillery produces very qualitative awomori, following an ancestral production process that uses traditional stills, heated with direct fired. It also produces the Hanasake, a special version of awamori, a beverage 60% alcohol, which is used during burial ceremonies.