Historically, boats were the means of transport in Harima. Trees cut in deep mountains were carried to the sea through the rivers. Goods carried through the rivers were not limited to timber. They also included minerals such as gold and copper, crops harvested in rich plain fields in the area, and fermented foods such as soy sauce. “That’s how culture developed along the rivers,” says a brewery owner. “It is unusual for as many as five big rivers to flow through the region. Each river is associated with different soil, crops, and brewed sake.” He emphasizes, “it’s like what ‘terroir’ is for French wine. “What a perfect description!
Shinichiro Honda (Honda Shoten)