Imanishi

Miwa, Nara Prefecture, is considered the birthplace of sake brewing in Japan, and has a deep history as a sacred place where the god of sake is enshrined since ancient times. Omiwa Shrine in Miwa is known as Japan's oldest shrine and enshrines Mt. Miwa as its deity. Every year on November 14th, brewers and sake brewers from all over the country gather to pray for the safety and success of sake brewing. A prayer festival will be held. After this sacred ceremony, ``sugitama'' are presented from Miwa to sake breweries across the country and are held up as a signal to signal the completion of new sake. The mythical relationship between Miwa and sake brewing is also told in ancient legends and myths recorded in the Nihon Shoki. Imanishi Sake Brewery, the only one left in this area, continues to preserve Miwa's sake brewing tradition under the brand name "Mimorosugi" and produces sake that symbolizes the sacred land of Miwa.