Okinawa Cultural Tour: Awamori Distillery & Cave Expedition

Hidden deep in a limestone cave in Kin Town, Okinawa, is an awamori cellar where shelves upon shelves of this traditional Japanese alcohol are aged. Each bottle with its own hand-written label or photo attached, the shelves resemble a library out of a fantasy novel, while the cave itself belongs in an Indiana Jones film. But before descending into this cavern of awamori, you’ll first visit one of Okinawa’s 47 awamori distilleries, Matsufuji Distillery, which still uses the traditional small-batch method to make the island’s famous alcohol. Previously used as an American military hangar, recently repurposed as a distillery. Because of its uniqueness and rich history, it was featured on USA Today. But that’s not all that makes Matsufuji Distillery special – it’s also one of the only awamori companies with a woman founder! Here, you’ll learn all about the production of awamori with interpretation from your bilingual guide, Junko, and enjoy an awamori tasting. See how quintessential Okinawan alcohol is made from black koji and Thai arabica rice, and learn about the similarities and differences between nihonshu and awamori. After returning from the awamori caves, the Okinawa tour will continue with a tasting of tofuyo (a tofu dish that is fermented in awamori in the very same caves). Sample it like a fine cheese, savoring the nutty flavor and richness. This is followed by Okinawan soul food that’s perfect to conclude this culturally-rich experience. SCHEDULE 9:45/13:15 Meet 10:00/13:30 Matsufuji Distillery 11:00/14:30 Awamori cave (tofuyo tasting is first for the afternoon tour) 12:00/15:30 Tofuyo tasting 12:45/16:15 Ginoza roadside station and pick a regional food for lunch or a snack 13:45/17:15 Disband