Gunma Prefecture (Tone-Numata), Kanto Region
As autumn deepened, I took guests from Hong Kong to the Tone-Numata region of Gunma Prefecture, which is an hour by Shinkansen and then a 30-minute drive from Tokyo.
To help them learn more about GI Tone-Numata, we worked with three sake breweries in the Tone-Numata region.
We took a bus from Jomo-Kogen Station and first enjoyed apple picking, a taste of autumn. Fuji apples are apparently popular in Hong Kong.
Harada Farm
1294 Yokozukacho, Numata City, Gunma Prefecture, 378-0002
Afterwards, we visited Nagai Sake Brewery's water source, where we tasted the water and were amazed by its softness. We then went to the premium tasting room "SHINKA," which opened this summer, where we were given a presentation by President Nagai and some lovely amuse-bouches to sample several types of sake.
Nagai Sake Brewery
713 Monzen, Kawaba Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture, 378-0115
On the second day, we got up early and headed to Otone Sake Brewery. We got to see the rice being steamed, and the participants were amazed at the fantastic sight. Some participants were excited to tell us that it was their first time to see the sake brewing process.
Afterwards, President Abe also gave a lecture on how to warm sake.
Otone Sake Brewery
1306-2 Takahira, Shirasawa-cho, Numata-shi, Gunma Prefecture, 378-0121
In the afternoon of the second day, we had a tour of Tsuchida Sake Brewery. We learned about the process and philosophy behind making all-junmai and kimoto sake. With the knowledge we gained, we enjoyed a pairing dinner at the Italian restaurant Ventinove, including a Q&A session with Toji Hoshino.
Tsuchida Sake Brewery
2691 Kawaba Yubara, Kawaba Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture, 378-0102
Ventinove
2593-1 Yachi, Kawaba-mura, Tone-gun, Gunma Prefecture, 378-0101 (within the Tsuchida Sake Brewery grounds)
On the last day, we visited Fukiware Falls, also known as the Niagara of the East, and experienced soba noodle making at a curved house in Nango. Everyone struggled with the task for the first time, but the skills of the people who regularly bake bread seemed to come into play even when making soba.
I am truly happy to be able to share the charms of various regions of Japan with so many people. Thank you to everyone who helped out!
Fukiware Falls
〒378-0303 Oigai, Tone-cho, Numata City
https://www.numata-kankou.jp/fukiwarenotaki/
Nangō Curved House
158-1 Hikage Nango, Tone-cho, Numata-shi, Gunma Prefecture, 378-0313
https://www.numata-kankou.jp/activity/sight/nangonomagariya/index.html
The spots we visited this time are https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1WzTcBTwRz1AimLlntksPjvMkgDArOPA&usp=sharing
*You will be redirected to Google Maps.
For information about Yukari's tours of the Tone-Numata area of Gunma Prefecture, please click here.
