Adjacent to Tokyo, Chiba Prefecture boasts Japan’s gateway—Narita International Airport—and popular attractions like Tokyo Disneyland Resort beloved by Taiwanese tourists. In fact, Chiba is also renowned for its sake production. To introduce Taiwanese food enthusiasts to Chiba’s century-old breweries and fine sake, Governor Morita Kensaku of Chiba specially visited Taiwan, teaming up with Chef Ou Zihao, the first Chinese-language certified Japanese sake lecturer in the region, to showcase the captivating charm of Chiba’s premium brews.
Governor Morita Kensaku of Chiba Prefecture (second from right) personally attended the “Chiba Prefecture Sake Tasting Event,” promoting the prefecture’s food and sake tourism alongside brewery representatives. (Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots Zhang Yingying)
Surrounded by the sea on three sides, Chiba is where the Kuroshio and Oyashio currents converge, yielding top-tier lobsters and an abundance of seafood. Chef Ou Zihao, who holds qualifications as both a sommelier and sake sommelier, specially crafted dishes paired with various Chiba specialties—from appetizers infused with oceanic aromas to seasonal yellowtail karaage and wild lobster seafood platters.<，搭配上来自千叶县三家酒藏的美酒，每道都让酒客们的味蕾增添美味层次。
The “Chiba Prefecture Sake Tasting Event,” featuring meticulously prepared dishes by Chef Ou Zihao of Hanabi Izakaya, achieved the perfect harmony of sake and gastronomy. (Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots Zhang Yingying)
Governor Morita noted that while Chiba offers a diverse array of sake, its international recognition remains limited. He hopes this Taiwan visit and collaboration with the sake lecturer will promote Chiba’s sake through seasonal seafood pairings, with the goal of winning over more Taiwanese connoisseurs in the future.
※ Minors should not consume alcohol.
Governor Morita Kensaku of Chiba Prefecture and Japanese sake lecturer Chef Ou Zihao jointly introduce and share highlights of Chiba Prefecture. (Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots Zhang Yingying)
“Getting to Know Chiba Prefecture’s Sake”
The tasting event invited representatives from three iconic Chiba breweries—“Iinuma Honke,” “Tōkun Shuzō,” and “Kangiku Meiryō”—to share their brewing experiences and insights with Taiwanese enthusiasts of Japanese travel and cuisine. Chiba’s breweries are dedicated to their craft, hoping all visitors to the prefecture can fully savor the sake crafted in the rich natural environment of the Bōsō Peninsula.
Q1. What makes Chiba Prefecture’s sake so delicious?
The Junmai Ginjo sake from the Kangiku Meiryō brewery was also featured at the tasting event. (Photo by MOOK Scenic Spots Zhang Yingying)
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