Japanese sake earns UNESCO heritage status

Dec 13, 2024

Japanese sake earns UNESCO heritage status

If you come on any of our pack-free guided walks to Japan you will get to try sake – that quintessential Japanese acoholic drinking perfect for sipping.

Stacks of traditional Japanese sake barrels with kanji and colorful designs on the wrapping. The barrels are tightly arranged, showcasing various styles and calligraphy, creating a vibrant display of culture. — *Xiaotianwang/Pexels*

Sake is made by fermenting rice that has been ‘polished’ to remove the bran. Polishing means gently rubbing the rice kernels against each other.

Many people refer to it as “Japanese rice wine,” but it doesn’t actually fall into the category of liquor, beer or wine.

A dimly lit bar features large sake bottles with colorful labels on a counter. A person wearing a mask is behind the counter preparing drinks, with various cups and utensils visible in the foreground. — *Vic Hsu/Pexels*

In fact it features a bit of all three — it has one fermented ingredient like wine, is brewed like beer, and has higher alcohol content like liquor.

Japanese sake is famous all around the world and now it has achieved UNESCO heritage status.

A vintage-style building with a wooden facade houses a "Sake Nomi Bar." Blackboard signs are displayed on the exterior. A person stands at a crosswalk in front of the bar. The structure is surrounded by urban buildings. — *NorrieXF/Pexels*

Yep, the United Nations’ cultural organisation, UNESCO, just wrapped up its latest meeting in Paraguay, where it recognised 63 cultural products in need of heritage protection.

Japanese sake made it onto the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, which grants protection to oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, and knowledge, practices and skills.

The reason for this is sake’s deep cultural connection to Japan.

Grilled meat and green peppers on a wooden board, accompanied by a glass of clear beverage and a bottle with Japanese label, outdoors. Sunlit grass is visible in the background. — *竟傲汤/Pexels*

Sake is more than just a drink – it’s a symbol of Japan’s history, craftsmanship, and community.

“Sake is considered a divine gift and is essential for social and cultural events in Japan,” Takehiro Kano, the Japanese ambassador to UNESCO, said of the designation.

So to see what all the fuss is about you’ll be able to taste a range of sakes on any of Japan tours.

So where do we go?

You can choose from nine pack-free guided walks such as the Kunisaki Spiritual Trail with its incredible landscapes and ancient temples, Mt Fuji and the Izu Peninsula, the Nakahechi Kumano Kodo pilgrimage walk on the Kii Peninsula featuring dramatic temples and shrines and spectacular forest and mountain scenery, the ancient Samurai Way known as the Nakasendo Way from Tokyo to Kyoto, The Shinetsu Trail and the Basho Tohoku walk – the Narrow Road to the North.

Or combine the Nakahechi Kumano Kodo and Nakasendo Way in one tour!

Whatever tour you do it will be a cultural immersion into another country like no other. And don’t forget to try the sake!

Socialise with us on Facebook

Japanese sake earns UNESCO heritage status