Geography
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1. Geography of Japan
• Japan is an island nation, made up of 6,852 islands in the Pacific Ocean on the eastern coast of the continent of Asia. It is the fourth largest island country globally and the largest in East Asia. Its principal islands are Hokkaido to the north, Kyushu, Honshu, Okinawa, and Shikoku. The remaining islands are remote and much smaller. 66% of Japan is forest, and the landscape is mountainous and rugged. Much of the landscape (73%) is mountainous, its most famous mountain being the iconic Mount Fuji. The population live in the coastal regions, valleys and plains. It also has many large freshwater lakes, the largest being Lake Biwa in the Kansai region and Shiga Prefecture which is 670km2 and has a maximum depth of 104m. The climate is varied with the northern most islands being humid continental, whilst the humid subtropical and tropical rainforest are evident in the south. This supports a diverse flora and fauna environment. Japan has a history of earthquakes and tsunamis due to its location in the north western Ring of Fire made up of multiple tectonic plates. Japan is a narrow country and no point in Japan is more than 150km (93miles) from the sea. The country is made up of 8 regions: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shkoku, and Kyushu. The regions are divided into several prefectures, except Hokkaido which is also a prefecture in its own right.
2. Japanese Sake and Terroir
• Terroir refers to the environmental conditions, notably soil and climatic conditions, in a specific geographical area. Where those conditions support the growth or rice for sake making, and offer soft sweet water low in iron and magnesium, suitable for sake production, so high quality premium sake can be produced. The terroir across many regions of Japan supports the cultivation of Sake Rice, known as Sakamai (also known as Shuzotekimai). One of 3 key ingredients to Sake, Rice is the only 100% self-sufficient food source. Sake rice grows to a height of around 3 feet in height and is prone to damage from high winds. In the north, the climate is cooler with much greater wind, so rice such as Miyama Nishiki which is more resistant to windy conditions is grown.
3. Geographical Indication 地理的表示
• What are GI: • Japanese Sake GI:
| Geographical Indication | 山形:(Yamagata) |
| Designation Date | December, 2016 |
| Ingredients and Rule | Rice koji rice must be made in Japan. Water collected in Yamagata prefecture is used. No sugar is used as ingredient. Must be produced, stored and bottled in Yamagata prefecture. |
| Climate and landscape | In Yamagata prefecture, it snows heavily in winter. Therefore, melted snow become excellent underground water
in the mountain ranges of Yamagata. The water in Yamagata is soft water and is suitable for sake making.This water contributes directly to its “clear taste” by making advantage of it as brewing water. In addition, the bitter winter cold of Yamagata prefecture is suited to inhibiting the growth of undesirable microorganisms and conducive to long-term, low-temperature fermentation which is important especially Ginjo-shu brewing. For these reasons Yamagata is one of a most ideal place for brewing Ginjo-shu. Within the prefecture, under the leadership of the Yamagata Research Institute of Technology and the Yamagata Sake maker’s Association,the effort was taken to develop human resource and to improve brewing techniques. This has raised the overall quality of sake produced in this region and has contributed to creating soft and clear taste, which are the specific properties of Yamagata sake. |
| Typical Taste | Yamagata sake generally has a silky and clear taste. Jummai-shu and Honjozo-shu of “Yamagata” are characterized by their rich, full-bodied yet gentle characteristics with a harmony of acidity and umami. The Jummai-ginjo-shu and Ginjo-shu have clear taste due to smooth texture and the fruity flavor, which is reminiscent of bananas, and other fruits grown in Yamagata prefecture such as apples, melons, and La France pears. These characteristics contribute to the clear taste |
| Control Body Address | Yamagata prefecture, Yamagata-city, Midori-town, 1-7-46 |
| Company Website | https://yamagata-sake.or.jp/ |
| Geographical Indication | 山形:(Yamagata) |
| Designation Date | December, 2016 |
| Ingredients and Rule | Rice koji rice must be made in Japan. Water collected in Yamagata prefecture is used. No sugar is used as ingredient. Must be produced, stored and bottled in Yamagata prefecture. |
| Climate and landscape | In Yamagata prefecture, it snows heavily in winter. Therefore, melted snow become excellent underground water
in the mountain ranges of Yamagata. The water in Yamagata is soft water and is suitable for sake making.This water contributes directly to its “clear taste” by making advantage of it as brewing water. In addition, the bitter winter cold of Yamagata prefecture is suited to inhibiting the growth of undesirable microorganisms and conducive to long-term, low-temperature fermentation which is important especially Ginjo-shu brewing. For these reasons Yamagata is one of a most ideal place for brewing Ginjo-shu. Within the prefecture, under the leadership of the Yamagata Research Institute of Technology and the Yamagata Sake maker’s Association,the effort was taken to develop human resource and to improve brewing techniques. This has raised the overall quality of sake produced in this region and has contributed to creating soft and clear taste, which are the specific properties of Yamagata sake. |
| Typical Taste | Yamagata sake generally has a silky and clear taste. Jummai-shu and Honjozo-shu of “Yamagata” are characterized by their rich, full-bodied yet gentle characteristics with a harmony of acidity and umami. The Jummai-ginjo-shu and Ginjo-shu have clear taste due to smooth texture and the fruity flavor, which is reminiscent of bananas, and other fruits grown in Yamagata prefecture such as apples, melons, and La France pears. These characteristics contribute to the clear taste |
| Control Body Address | Yamagata prefecture, Yamagata-city, Midori-town, 1-7-46 |
| Company Website | https://yamagata-sake.or.jp/ |