A ranking of rare potato barley shochu that can only be bought in Miyazaki and recommended local alcoholic drinks

Miyazaki Prefecture, located in the southern part of Kyushu, is a comfortable place to live with a warm climate all year round. Surrounded by the sea and mountains, it is rich in nature and its gourmet food is also popular.
Miyazaki Prefecture is famous for its shochu, which comes in a wide variety of types, from easy-to-drink shochu for daily use to premium shochu brands.
So this time, we will explain the alcohol situation in Miyazaki Prefecture, focusing on shochu.

The alcohol situation in Miyazaki Prefecture, known as the kingdom of shochu

Miyazaki Prefecture is number one in Japan in terms of shochu production and shipping volume.

Miyazaki Prefecture has been number one in Japan for shochu production and shipping for many years . When it comes to shochu, Kagoshima Prefecture may come to mind, but in fact Miyazaki boasts a level of production that exceeds that of Kagoshima. This is because Miyazaki has many shochu breweries and companies that are well-known nationwide, and many brands and brands are released not only locally but also nationwide and even globally .
Another feature of Miyazaki shochu is the wide variety of varieties. Kagoshima is by far the most famous for its potato shochu, and Nagasaki is by Iki's barley shochu, but Miyazaki Prefecture produces both potato and barley shochu, and they are made using a variety of methods . Many of Miyazaki's shochu are easy to drink, and are popular in all kinds of situations, from everyday evening drinks to drinking parties and special occasions such as celebrations.

Kirishima Sake Brewery in Miyakonojo City is very famous.

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One of the most famous shochu brands in Miyazaki is Kirishima Shuzo , located in Miyakonojo City. Kirishima Shuzo is the brand behind Kuro Kirishima and Aka Kirishima , which are staples at izakayas , and produces a wide variety of shochu in large quantities. It can be said that the existence of Kirishima Shuzo has a huge influence on the fact that Miyazaki Prefecture's shochu production and shipping volume exceeds that of Kagoshima Prefecture.
Kirishima Shuzo also holds factory tours , which we highly recommend for anyone interested in shochu or for tourists visiting Miyazaki.

Miyazaki shochu often has an alcohol content of 20%.

One of the characteristics of Miyazaki shochu is that many of the bottles are 20% alcohol by volume . Shochu from Kagoshima and Oita is often 25% alcohol by volume, so this is something that is unique to Miyazaki.
The reason why there is a lot of 20% shochu in Miyazaki is that bootlegging was popular due to the influence of the Liquor Tax Law. Under the former Liquor Tax Law, only shochu with an alcohol content of 25% or more was permitted to be produced, and shochu with a high alcohol content was sold as a luxury item or luxury item . Behind the scenes, during the poor postwar period, low-quality shochu with an alcohol content of around 20% was sold as bootlegged goods . Miyazaki was an area with a particularly high number of bootleggers, and it is said that there was a lot of low-quality "shochu imitation."
To deal with this situation, after the war the government began to require shochu breweries to properly produce 20% alcohol shochu . From this point on, shochu with an alcohol content of 20% began to be widely distributed in Miyazaki. Even today, many of the famous brands in Miyazaki produce 20% shochu as well as 25% shochu. Being able to choose the alcohol content to suit your taste is one of the great benefits of Miyazaki shochu.

Do you make any other alcohol besides shochu?

Miyazaki Prefecture is overwhelmingly famous for shochu, but that doesn't mean that other types of alcohol are not produced there. There are a few sake breweries as well. In recent years , shochu breweries have also begun to produce whiskey and spirits , and a wide variety of alcoholic drinks are produced.
However, the overwhelming majority of the shochu is produced in Miyazaki. Among the shochu produced in Miyazaki, there are rare varieties such as potato shochu, barley shochu, and buckwheat shochu.

Top 9 popular sakes from Miyazaki Prefecture, including Kurokirishima

1st place: Kurokirishima

• Type of alcohol: Sweet potato shochu
• Manufacturer: Kirishima Shuzo
• Alcohol content: 20%, 25%
• Capacity: 1,800ml etc.
• Price: 1,800ml 25% bottle, ¥2,083 (tax included)

Kuro Kirishima is a famous authentic shochu that is famous nationwide. It is made from Kyushu sweet potatoes and is characterized by being brewed with black koji .
Kurokirishima has a thick, sweet taste that is very satisfying to drink, yet has a good aftertaste, making it easy to drink. It comes in two varieties, 20% and 25% , so it's easy to choose the flavor you like. It's also popular in izakayas and other establishments, so it's a great introduction to potato shochu.

2. One Hundred Years of Solitude

• Type of alcohol: Barley shochu
• Manufacturer: Kuroki Honten
• Alcohol content: 40%
• Capacity: 720ml
• Price: ¥3,674 (tax included)

Hyakunen no Kodoku is a long-aged shochu made by aging barley shochu in oak barrels. Its appeal is the depth of flavor that the aging process brings out, and it has a high alcohol content of 40%.
It has a hint of coconut and fragrant barley, and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, such as with water or hot water. It is a rare shochu that is difficult to purchase at the regular price, and is said to be a premium shochu along with the famous 3M shochu.

3rd place: Kiroku

• Type of alcohol: Sweet potato shochu
• Manufacturer: Kuroki Honten
• Alcohol content: 25%
• Capacity: 720ml
• Price: ¥1,375 (tax included)

Kiroku is a brand of potato shochu produced by Kuroki Honten, famous for One Hundred Years of Solitude. It is a shochu with a rich aroma that has a hint of black tea and a sweet taste of grains .
The well-balanced, rounded flavor is easy to drink and recommended for beginners. In addition to the regular bottle, unfiltered bottles are sometimes released only during the winter.

4th place: Kibiki Blue

• Type of alcohol: Sweet potato shochu
• Manufacturer: Unkai Shuzo
• Alcohol content: 20%, 25%
• Capacity: 1,800ml, 720ml, etc.
• Price: 1,800ml 20% bottle, ¥1,789 (tax included)

Kobiki Blue is a genuine potato shochu with a refreshing taste. It is made using a unique yeast called "Hyuga-Nada Kuroshio Yeast" harvested from the sea off Miyazaki, and is characterized by its clean taste.
As you would expect from Miyazaki shochu, it comes in two varieties, 20% and 25%, and there are also a wide variety of bottle sizes so you can purchase it in the balance you want to drink. It is also recommended to enjoy it with meals, with soda or on the rocks .

5th place: Akakirishima

• Type of alcohol: Sweet potato shochu
• Manufacturer: Kirishima Shuzo
• Alcohol content: 25%
• Capacity: 1,800ml etc.
• Price: ¥2,607 (tax included) for a 1,800ml bottle

Aka Kirishima is a shochu made by Kirishima Shuzo, which is famous for Kuro Kirishima. Like Kuro Kirishima, Aka Kirishima is an imo shochu, but the ingredients and production method are different. The key point is that it is made from purple sweet potatoes called Murasaki Masari , and the mash made from this potato turns bright red, hence the name "Aka Kirishima." Aka Kirishima also uses a different koji from Kuro Kirishima, using white koji.
Akakirishima, made from purple sweet potatoes, is known for its more fragrant aroma than Kurokirishima. It has a strong but elegant aroma, and is sweet and easy to drink.

6th place: Not bad

• Type of alcohol: Barley shochu
• Manufacturer: Kuroki Honten
• Alcohol content: 20%, 25%
• Capacity: 720ml, 900ml, etc.
• Price: 720ml 25% bottle, ¥1,265 (tax included)

Nakamame is a shochu from Kuroki Honten, the same company that produced One Hundred Years of Solitude. It is one of the brewery's representative barley shochus, and is well-known for its roasted barley aroma.
Kuroki Honten has a reputation for selling a lot of high-end shochu, but it also has excellent value for money and is easy to incorporate into your daily life . The taste is neither too spicy nor too sweet, with an excellent balance that is easy for everyone to enjoy.

7th place: Osuzuyama Mountain cat

• Type of alcohol: Sweet potato shochu
• Manufacturer: Osuzuyama Distillery
• Alcohol content: 20%, 25%
• Capacity: 720ml, 1,800ml, etc.
• Price: 1,800ml 25% bottle, ¥2,882 (tax included)

Yamaneko's shochu is made at the Osuzuyama Distillery. The Osuzuyama Distillery is a separate brewery of Kuroki Honten , located in Osuzuyama, Miyazaki Prefecture. The sweet potato shochu made from the soft underground water of Osuzuyama is known for its gentle and soft quality.
Currently, Joy White potato is used, which gives it a sweetness similar to that of chestnuts. It is a shochu that has been aged in wooden barrels for over two years, so you can enjoy the richness of the aging. This is a recommended bottle for those looking for a clear-smelling potato shochu.

8th place: OSUZU MALT NEW BORN

It's Japanese Whisky Day, so I got some Osuzu Malt New Born from #OsuzuyamaDistillery in an Osuzuyama glass, which arrived just today! #JapaneseWhiskeyDay #KurokiHonten #TWLC pic.twitter.com/ay5lPlEqLO

— Maechan (@maechan_lqr) April 1, 2022

• Type of alcohol: Whiskey
• Manufacturer: Osuzuyama Distillery
• Alcohol content: 59%
• Capacity: 700ml
• Price: ¥11,550 (tax included)

OSUZU MALT is a malt whiskey made at Osuzuyama Distillery, a separate distillery of Kuroki Honten. It is made using the techniques cultivated in shochu making, and is characterized by being aged for 18 months in barrels made from chestnuts from Miyazaki Prefecture and American oak.
It is considered a craft whiskey, with a low distribution rate, making it highly sought after. If you are a whiskey lover, this is a must-have.

9th place: Nayuta no Toki

• Type of alcohol: Soba shochu
• Manufacturer: Unkai Shuzo
• Alcohol content: 25%
• Capacity: 1,800ml, 720ml, etc.
• Price: 1,800ml for ¥2,420 (tax included)

Nayuta no Toki is a soba shochu made from soba. It is brewed using water from the Kyushu mountains and has the gorgeous aroma that is characteristic of soba shochu. It is a long-aged type and has a mellow amber color. It is a high-quality shochu that is a masterpiece.

Popular souvenirs! Sake and shochu that can only be bought in Miyazaki Prefecture

Kirishima (Miyazaki only)

• Type of alcohol: Sweet potato shochu
• Manufacturer: Kirishima Shuzo
• Alcohol content: 20%
• Capacity: 1,800ml etc.
• Price: ¥1,779 (tax included) for a 1,800ml bottle

Kirishima Shuzo sells bottled shochu nationwide as well as a limited edition Miyazaki shochu. This shochu was released to mark the 100th anniversary of Kirishima Shuzo's founding, and is brewed with white koji, a return to the original method.
It has a satisfying, long aftertaste and is highly satisfying. Its rich flavor goes perfectly with hot water .

Kawagoe

• Type of alcohol: Sweet potato shochu
• Manufacturer: Kawagoe Brewery
• Alcohol content: 25%
• Capacity: 1,800ml
• Price: ¥3,380 (tax included) for a 1,800ml bottle

Kawagoe is a sweet potato shochu made by a small brewery in Miyazaki Prefecture. It is made from sweet potatoes dug up that morning and brewed on the same day, giving it a fresh taste that is very appealing.
This brand has been sold in first class on international flights, and is extremely popular and difficult to obtain. It is only sold to trusted retailers, making it a rare shochu .

What's the best way to drink Miyazaki shochu? And what snacks to pair it with!

Many Miyazaki shochu are easy to drink, so you can enjoy them in your own way. Many bottles have a low alcohol content of 20%, so you can enjoy the original flavor of the ingredients by drinking it straight or on the rocks . If you drink it straight, you can easily taste the umami of the potatoes and barley, and if you drink it on the rocks, it will be lighter on the palate and easier to drink.
You can also mix it with water or hot water, which are standard for shochu. If you mix it with water, we especially recommend mixing it the day before. A good balance is a 6:4 ratio of shochu to water , but if you like a stronger flavor, you can make it stronger at around 7:3.
We also recommend mixing shochu with soda to make a "shochu highball," or mixing shochu with water and then warming it up to make "kantsuke." Diluting shochu makes it more refreshing, so it goes well with strong-tasting food.

Snacks to go with Miyazaki shochu

Eat food from all prefectures🗾 at home☝️

"Meat-wrapped rice balls" from Miyazaki Prefecture 🐷 "Charcoal-grilled chicken" 🐓 "Chicken Nanban" 🐓 "Cold soup" 😋

I'll enjoy it with sweet potato shochu "Kuro Kirishima" 🍠😋 #Homecooking #Prefecturefood #Miyazaki #Iwanttoconnectwithpeoplewholovecooking #Cheers 🍻 #TwitterDrinkClub #TwitterHomeCookingClubpic.twitter.com /chDOYCXVxd

— HIRO∞YUKI (@hiro_19780221) January 24, 2021

Miyazaki is synonymous with chicken and shochu. Eat and drink your last meal of the year with a chicken nanban meal and Kirishima's Miyazaki-only shochu pic.twitter.com/VxGNWyxgnR

— Pons (@Worldtravelog) April 15, 2019

Miyazaki is also famous for its gourmet food. Miyazaki shochu pairs well with food, so why not try pairing it with some of the prefecture's local specialties?
Miyazaki is famous for its chicken nanban. The juicy taste of the sweet sauce goes perfectly with shochu diluted with water or made into a highball. Seafood dishes are also recommended as a pairing with Miyazaki shochu.

For Miyazaki Prefecture sake and shochu, go to a sake purchase specialty store

Among Miyazaki shochu, there are brands that are well-known nationwide and enjoy stable popularity, as well as rare shochu that can only be purchased in Miyazaki. These popular liquors can be sold at high prices at liquor purchase specialty stores.
If you have any bottles of Miyazaki sake that you don't plan on drinking in the future, consider using a specialized buy-back store before they go to waste .
Linksus, a specialty alcohol purchase store, purchases a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including shochu from Miyazaki Prefecture. We offer in-store purchases , on-site purchases , and home delivery purchases , so if you have any alcohol you'd like to sell, please feel free to contact us.
Buy Miyazaki alcohol here

summary

Miyazaki Prefecture is so famous for its shochu that it is called the kingdom of shochu. There are many different types of shochu, from nationally known brands like Kurokirishima to rare brands like Hyakunen no Kodoku.
If you like alcohol or shochu, this is an area you should definitely check out. There are many easy-to-drink brands, so if you're thinking of giving shochu a try, be sure to check it out.