Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

Sake, or saki, is arguably the national drink of Japan. It is basically rice wine. Its roots lie in the 3rd century, when villagers make 'kuchikami no sake', or 'chew in the mouth sake'.

When in Japan, want to try Sake but are too afraid. Don't fear, follow our simple guide to the correct way to enjoy this Japanese favourite.

♦   Sake - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

♦ Tokkuri - Ceramic flask used to warm and serve sake, with a narrow neck for retaining heat. Tokkuri come in all shapes and sizes. Click here for a pictorial guide to tokkuri shapes.

♦ Ochoko. Small sake cups of countless variety, color and shapes. Cup typically broadens at neck to allow the fragrance of the sake to waft gently upward.

♦ Guinomi. Small cups - often fluted at the edge - a bit bigger than ochoko. Great fun to collect as works of art.

♦ Masu. A square cedar box holding 180ml originally designed as a rice measure. Most people no longer drink from masu, as the smell and flavor of the wood overpower the delicate flavors of today's premium sake.

Sake is a Japanese rice wine. In Japan there are some traditions surrounding the way it is served and drunk. They are not always followed outside of Japan, but they are worth knowing so that you can be polite.

Sake is served in a small flask called a tokkuri. Place the full tokkuri in boiling water until it is about body temperature. Only very expensive sake is served chilled.

Hold the tokkuri with both hands palms facing down. Fill each guest's cup in turn. Don't fill your own. It's the guests' duty to ensure that the host's cup is full.

The correct cup to use is a small handle'less one called an ochoko.

In formal situations you should hold up the cup with one hand, and support the bottom of it with the other as the sake is being served to you.

Sake is very potent, the done thing is to sip it slowly. Its not a shot - don't down it in one!

Cheers, or as they say in Japan, Kampai!

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