Foresight

Niigata: number one for sake consumption

Niigata prefecture leads Japan in sake consumption.

Niigata Prefecture leads the way in sake consumption, according to statistics from the National Tax Agency (NTA).

This places it far ahead of the main sake producers, Hyogo and Kyoto prefectures. Niigata prefecture ranks third in terms of sake production.

A sign that sake is highly appreciated by the local population, Niigata is also the prefecture with the highest number of sake brewing companies (around 90).

On the Kyushu side, the south-east of this region is known as the "kingdom of shochû" (distilled spirits). In Saga, for example, sake production has been encouraged since the Edo period.