Saga’s local sake at “Isshin” in a spa town of Takeo City!

Good day!
Today’s writer is TAKUMA, who loves traveling in and outside Japan to meet local foods.

I’d like to introduce an Izakaya restaurant in my hometown, Saga Prefecture.
The restaurant is in Takeo City which is famous for hot spas, and it serves good Sake.
I recommend you to visit there when you have chance to go to Saga!

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“Isshin”, where foreign tourists can enjoy Sake

The major famous spots of Takeo City are “Takeo City Library“, “Great Ohkusu tree“, and “Takeo Shrine“.
Many domestic and foreign tourists visit these spots.

The most popular one should be “Takeo City Library“.
It lends books of course, and also you can spend time reading books at Starbucks, a pancake shop, and other shops which are built next to the library.
You can even read new released books as much as you can.

In this attractive town of Takeo, there is an Izakaya restaurant with a big red lantern outside which entertains foreign tourists with good sake near Takeo Station.

The name is “Isshin“.
I visited there after I had a bath at Takeo Onsen Spa.

The red lantern catches people’s eyes and easy to find.
The location is easy to remember as well because it’s near Takeo City Office.
Many tourists from foreign countries visit this restaurant, and it becomes very international when they have such visitors.

Large selection of good sake of Saga Prefecture

Isshin provides famous and good Sake of Saga Prefecture such as “Nabeshima“, “Shichida“, and “Saki“.

Saga’s sake is said to have fruity taste like wine, deep flavor, and smooth texture, which makes it easy to drink.
It’s especially very popular among young women who like white wine.
There is an annual festival called “Sakagura Matsuri” which is held by Saga’s sake breweries in their places, and there many visitors every year.

I tried Saga’s local sake “Munemasa” this time.

People who don’t like sake might feel that it’s like a strong Shochu liquor (Japanese white distilled liquor), but those who love and know Sake must like its deep flavor.
The taste is very sweet, so it’s suitable for the first drink.

I took a cold one to cool my body after the spa.
I had a nimono (cooked and seasoned food in Dashi stock based soup) for the sake, and the combination was great.

Izakaya dishes for local sake

One of the typical foods which goes well with Sake is fish. I ordered some fish menus which sake lovers should order; “grilled atka mackerel“, “salt-grilled mackerel“, and “assorted sashimi”.
All of their food menus looked nice with Sake, so I could try any ones any way.

“Char-grilled atka mackerel”

“Salt-grilled mackerel with grated daikon radish”

“Assorted sashimi”

Everyone was great with sake.
Apart from these typical dishes, I would like you to try other unique fish such as “Kuchizoko” and “Mutsugoro” from Ariake Sea which is famous for reclamation when you come to Saga.

There are another interesting fish “Warasubo” in Ariake Sea, which is called “Alien” for its scary appearance.
Grilled dried Warasubo is fantastic for Sake.

It makes the scent of the sake richer, and the bitterness of the fish matches sake well.
You can enjoy the sake more deeply.
I also recommend Warasubo for souvenir!

Conclusion: Saga is a fantastic place of hot spas and Sake!

There are many sake breweries in various places in Saga Prefecture, and each one produces delicious sake with their local characteristics.
There is one in Takeo City, so it also should be interesting to go on a brewery tour.

Please visit “Izakaya Isshin” and enjoy good sake and foods when you have chance to come to Takeo City!