As you all know, Okinawa is a small island floating in the southern seas.
In terms of area, even including the outlying islands, it's only slightly larger than Tokyo.

Did you know that Okinawa, a southern island, has 47 awamori distilleries?
When talking about delicious Okinawan food, Awamori is an indispensable alcoholic beverage. Many people look forward to trying it when they travel to Okinawa.

This time, I went on a tour of Helios Brewery, which produces a somewhat unusual type of awamori among the many breweries out there!

Our adult Okinawa trip begins with a visit to a brewery that has walked hand in hand with nature, where we will encounter delicious sake and the profound depths of awamori.

<Table of Contents>
1. What kind of place is "Helios Brewery"?
2. Let's go on a factory tour!
3. The fun tasting time
4. How to visit and access Helios Brewery
5. Lush green nature and fragrant awamori

1. What kind of place is "Helios Brewery"?

Helios Brewery, located in Kyoda, Nago City, in the northern part of Okinawa Island, is a quiet brewery surrounded by nature.

Delicious water is essential for brewing alcohol, not just for awamori.
Kyoda, where Helios Brewery's factory is located, has long been known as a place of pure water.

The large, red-tiled building standing against the backdrop of the lush green forest is the manufacturing plant and storehouse. Just seeing this scenery makes my sake-loving blood start to boil...

The factory tour will allow us to see the actual awamori manufacturing process, its history, and even the inside of the distillery. I'm even more excited now that I hear there will be a tasting session at the end.
By the way, factory tours at Helios Distillery are free! How generous!

Now, let's get started with our factory tour!

2. Let's go on a factory tour!

Helios Distillery offers daily factory tours, but reservations are required. (See below for details.)
The tour schedule is as follows:

[Tour details]: Duration: Approximately 60 minutes
■Explanation of the Awamori manufacturing process & factory tour
↓
■ Sake brewery tour & film screening
↓
■ Tasting

First, we'll infiltrate the particularly large building, the "manufacturing plant"!

The first thing that greeted me beyond the factory door was a large silver tank, and a rich, sweet and sour aroma.

To give a rough explanation of the Awamori manufacturing process, it goes something like this: fermentation → distillation → aging. Apparently, the manufacturing plants handle everything from fermentation to distillation.

The silver tanks turned out to be "fermentation tanks" used for fermentation. Inside the tanks, the rice ferments for 2 to 4 weeks, converting it into alcohol with an alcohol content of 18 to 19 degrees.
The key ingredient in this fermentation process is "black koji mold," which is essential for awamori!

In fact, there isn't much difference in the process of making awamori, sake, and shochu, as they all involve "fermenting rice with koji."

However, the reason why they end up being completely different alcoholic beverages is largely due to the difference in koji mold. That's right, the powerful aroma of awamori is thanks to the work of black koji mold.

Furthermore, it is said that black koji mold is well-suited for sake brewing in Okinawa, a tropical region. This is because black koji mold produces citric acid during the fermentation process, making it difficult for other bacteria to enter, and unlike other types of koji, it is resistant to heat.
Apparently, the grayish coloration on the top of the fermentation tank is also a characteristic of black koji mold.

"The reason the walls of this building are black is because of black koji mold," (according to the guide).

The sweet and sour aroma wafting through the factory was proof that the black koji mold was working hard!
And the reason the walls were so black was because of black koji mold!

Black koji mold is truly amazing!

After being thoroughly impressed by the power of the black koji mold, we moved on to the next step. In this step, we extract awamori from the "moromi" that has been produced through fermentation.
This is where Helios Distillery's true value (part 1) is revealed!

That's the only copper still in the prefecture.

Let me briefly explain again what's so amazing about it.
The taste of the liquor changes depending on the type of still used for distillation. While horizontal stills are the mainstream for awamori, we deliberately chose a vertical still, and specifically made of copper.
This is one of the reasons why Helios Brewery can produce a unique awamori that can't be found anywhere else.

In fact, Helios Brewery is an unusual brewery that originally started out making Western-style spirits.
Therefore, Helios Brewery has accumulated expertise in Western-style liquor production, and is pursuing its own unique brewing methods.

After the distillation process, the alcohol content reaches 44%, and it comes to be called "awamori." However, it's not finished yet.
Next is the most time-consuming process in awamori production: maturation.

Here's the true value of Helios Distillery (Part 2)!
Awamori is generally aged in earthenware jars or tanks. However, Helios Distillery also ages its awamori in barrels in addition to these two methods.

By aging the awamori in carefully selected oak barrels, the aroma of the wood is transferred to the liquor, resulting in a sparkling amber-colored awamori.

It seems that Western liquor brewing techniques are being put to good use here too!

So, we headed to "Ninokura" to observe the barrel aging process. At this distillery, awamori is carefully aged for 3 to 15 years.

The rows of barrels in the storehouse are truly impressive. A magnificent sight for any sake lover!

Currently, the entire warehouse reportedly stores a staggering 2,600 barrels.
If you still don't quite understand how "amazing" it is, imagine that there's enough awamori to fill two 25-meter swimming pools.

Even in such a storehouse, what catches the eye is a large barrel adorned with beautiful carvings.
The barrels used for aging the wine for 100 years were apparently made with the wish that "the world will remain peaceful even 100 years from now."

It seems unlikely that we'll be able to enjoy this awamori ourselves, but doesn't it make you feel happy to imagine everyone in Okinawa laughing and drinking awamori in the future?

3. The fun tasting time

By the time the tour reaches its climax—the film screening at the brewery—you'll probably be craving awamori so badly you can't wait any longer.

And now, it's time for the much-anticipated tasting!
Helios Brewery has a tasting corner inside its souvenir shop where you can sample their proud selection of delicious sake to your heart's content!

At this time, I highly recommend trying a side-by-side comparison of "Nushi," which is brewed in earthenware pots, and "Kura," which is brewed in barrels.

They are different in taste, aroma, and even appearance. Not only is that intriguing, but both are so delicious you won't be able to stop eating them! Awamori tastes even better after you've experienced its depth and complexity.

Even if you're the designated driver and can't drink, don't worry.
We asked Mr. Yamashiro from Helios Brewery, who kindly cooperated with us for this interview, about his recommended and popular items!

■KuraKusu (30 degrees)
It is characterized by a sweet and elegant aroma reminiscent of whiskey.
It's easy to drink, yet offers a deep, lingering aftertaste. Perfect for awamori beginners and those who don't like strong alcohol.
Yamashiro-san recommends drinking it as a highball!

■Kura Black 3-Year Aged Sake (25% ABV)
I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes awamori (Okinawan distilled liquor).
This bottle offers a rich aroma that only barrel aging can provide. It also makes a great gift for liquor lovers.

■Helios's Handmade Brown Sugar Plum Wine (alc. 14%)
Plum wine made with awamori (Okinawan rice liquor). The perfect combination of brown sugar and awamori creates a rich and mellow flavor.
It's a must-have for plum wine lovers, and if you bring it as a souvenir, it's sure to impress women.

And speaking of Helios Brewery, we can't forget their craft beer!
Unlike typical craft beers, it's characterized by its mild flavor and refreshing, easy-to-drink taste.

■Bitter Melon DRY (alc. 5%)
A signature Helios beer that pairs well with food.
The refreshing bitterness of bitter melon is pleasantly addictive. It also has a strong impact, making it a great souvenir.

■Blue Sky and Sea Beer (alc. 5%)
It features the rich aroma characteristic of Weizen beers. It's also recommended as a dessert beer.
This is a beer I'd recommend even to people who don't usually drink much beer.

4. How to visit and access Helios Brewery

Factory tours at Helios Distillery are by reservation only.
Once your schedule is set, please apply by email or fax. Walk-ins are also accepted on the day of your visit, but please confirm by phone beforehand.

By the way, you can come for a tour even if you're alone!
For more detailed information, including tour times, please check the website below.

【Detailed information】
■Address: 405 Kyoda, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture
■ TEL: 0980-50-9686
■Reception hours: 9:00 AM - 17:00 PM
■Visiting times: (1) 10:30~ (2) 13:30~ (3) 15:00~ (4) 16:30~
■Regular closing days: Open all year round (※Closed during the New Year holidays and in case of bad weather)
■HP:http://www.helios-syuzo.co.jp/docs/inspection.html

[Access]

[If traveling from Naha Airport via the Okinawa Expressway]

To Kyoda Interchange, the end of the Okinawa Expressway.
After passing the Kyoda tollgate, turn left towards "Busena Cape/Ibube" and get onto National Route 58.
Proceed along National Route 58 towards Kyoda, and turn right when you see the Helios Brewery sign.

[If coming from Nago City or Kyoda area]

Take National Route 58 towards Onna.
After passing the entrance to the Okinawa Expressway and driving a short distance, you will see a sign for Helios Brewery on your right, so turn left.

*The area surrounding Helios Brewery is a settlement.
Since you will be driving on narrow roads, please slow down and drive carefully.
Also, when searching using a car navigation system, please search by address.

5. Lush green nature and fragrant awamori

Nestled amidst Okinawa's beautiful nature, the brewery offered a luxurious sake that soothed both mind and body. Grateful for the treasures of Okinawa left behind by our ancestors and the passion of the brewery that continues to pursue the finest sake, I found myself feeling pleasantly tipsy.

At the end of the interview, we asked Yamashiro-san, who loves awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit), about the appeal of Helios Brewery!

"The appeal of our factory tour is that you can experience the aroma of awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit) firsthand at the actual production site! The aged awamori cellar, lined with barrels, is the highlight of the tour. Enjoy the unique scenery and aromas of Helios Distillery, as well as plenty of tastings!"

Awamori is a delicious alcoholic beverage that Okinawa is proud of.
Why not let yourself be captivated by its rich and powerful fragrance?

Please make your hotel reservation here.

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