Canadian World Traveller Fallr 2016 issue Canadian World Traveller Fall 2016 issue | Page 12

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The Enticing Flavours of Kobe
Article & Photography by Steve Gillick

ake Yasiro is a small bar in the
Sannomiya District of Kobe city,
where dinner reservations are a
must. However, if you arrive in the afternoon, they may be able to assign a table
with a time limit so you can check out all the
sakes in the display case and order your
favourite otokozake, literally ‘man’s sake”.

S

While only a descriptive term, otokozake is
the pride of Kobe’s famous Nada sake brewing district, one of Japan’s major sake production areas. This is where mineral rich

“miyamizu’ or mountain water co-mingles
with the cold winds from the Rokko
Mountains and then, when combined with
Yamada Nishiki, a high quality sake rice, the
result is the crisp, dry flavor that is the hallmark of Kobe sakes.
For the record, the sakes from Kyoto, about
a 75 minute train ride away, are referred to
as onnazake or ‘female sakes’, based on
their wonderful mellow, fruity quality.
While most people associate Kobe with the

famous marbled beef that bears its name, a
visit to this engaging city reveals so much
more. It’s a blend of intriguing flavours that
take in many of the specia