NaraExplorer
Nara Explorer” – Nara's first and only English tourist magazine –
Nara Explorer is Nara's first and only English tourist magazine.
Our inaugual first issue will be published in June.
For further information,click here.
The Perfect Combination of Nara’s Native Sakura Cherry Blossoms and Japanese Sake...
- “Nara Yae-sakura”, a new kind sake specially released to mark the 100th anniversary of Nara Women’s University.
- The history of Japanese sake started in Nara. In the early Edo period (1600-1868), the first Tokugawa shogun, Ieyasu (1543-1616) praised Nara’s sake as “the best sake in Japan”. Sake produced in Nara has been known throughout the country since then for its beautiful taste.
- Another noteworthy symbol of Nara is its special cherry blossom variety called “Nara Yae-sakura (double-flower cherry blossom)”. While there are many kinds of cherry trees in Japan, this variety was discovered by Emperor Shomu (701-756) who decided to relocate the national capital to Nara in 710. Though the bud is deep red it somehow turns to white when the flower blooms. Then, when the petals fall the color changes again into a deep red.
- This year, Nara Women’s University, whose university crest is the symbol of Nara Yae-sakura, will celebrate their 100th anniversary in May. To mark this special occasion, the university staff started a project in 2006 to create a new sake by isolating and growing refined sake yeast. Later, in autumn 2008, with the cooperation of Nara Prefectural Institute of Industrial Technology and Harushika Sake Brewery they finally completed “Nara Yae-sakura” refined sake.
- It is extremely difficult to isolate sake yeast from the natural source (such as cherry blossoms) in order to make a delicious sake. However, the yeast of Nara Yae-sakura is full of succinic acid (for good flavor) and malic acid (for sour freshness). As a result, Nara Yae-sakura achieves a faint sweetness with the rich flavor of a fresh taste.
- This original new sake will be available from May 1. Produced and sold by Harushika Sake Brewery, it is also available at Harushika’s shop, the Nara Women’s University campus(map A, A-2, pg 6) and other local shops (300 ml & 720 ml; price TBA). For further information, contact Harushika Sake Brewery(map A, D-4, pg 6): Tel: 0742-23-2255.
- Relationship between Japanese sake and sake yeast:
- Japanese sake is produced from rice malt to milled rice. The rice is then glycosylated and fermented after adding sake yeast. Sake yeast plays a very important role to create alcoholic substance but it is very difficult to isolate a yeast from bacteria. Therefore, it has been common to use a yeast provided from sake brewery research center for general sake making.