“Sake brings ten virtues.”
In Japan, there has been a proverb like this since ancient times, suggesting that sake has ten benefits such as a cure-all, promoting longevity, fostering harmony, relieving stress, and increasing cold resistance. Enjoying sake while promoting health, it’s like hitting two birds with one stone, isn’t it?
For everyone planning to visit Japan, I’d like you to stay healthy, so I want to introduce you to “Houmeishu,” known for its traditional medicinal sake and a specialty of Tomonoura in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
16 kinds of herbs Credit: Non
What is Houmeishu
Houmeishu is a traditional Japanese liqueur infused with 16 kinds of herbs in a base of shochu, glutinous rice, and koji (malted rice). It is also known as “Jurokumi Houmeishu.”
It all began in 1659 when Nakamura Kichibei, an herbal medicine doctor in Osaka, started brewing based on traditional medicinal practices. In times when people had fewer food options, the sweetness and herbal essence of Houmeishu were highly valued. Therefore, historical records even mention that when Matthew C. Perry visited Japan, Japanese people offered him Houmeishu as a luxury item.
While Houmeishu was widely loved across the country, the appearance of imitations led to Houmeishu being officially recognized as a patented specialty of the Nakamura family. However, after the Nakamura family’s exclusive business ended in the Meiji era, several local shops in Tomonoura, Fukuyama City, continued producing “Houmeishu,” each using unique ingredients.
Irie Toyosaburo Honten’s Handcrafted Hon-mirin (手仕事本味醂) Credit: 一般社団法人はれとこ
Interestingly, the process of making Houmeishu is similar to Hon-mirin (sweet rice wine for cooking), giving it a distinctive sweetness and the aromatic essence of herbs. This natural sweetness comes from glutinous rice, without the use of sugar or artificial sweeteners. Houmeishu is a mild herbal liqueur that consists of beneficial elements from 16 different types of medicinal herbs.
Houmeishu is believed to help with things like feeling cold, summer fatigue, and recovering from tiredness, and many health-conscious people now enjoy drinking it. Also, unlike sake, It stays fresh for a long time, making it a popular choice for gifts.
Okamoto Kametaro Honten Credit: kajiko
Where to Buy
Currently, only 4 companies in Tomonoura produce and sell Houmeishu. You can find them in different types, such as original, ginger, plum flavors, etc, at local stores and online shops. The brewing process starts in April, pressing occurs in June, and the new sake is ready by November.
Irie Toyosaburo Honten’s Houmeishu Credit: 一般社団法人はれとこ
Irie Toyosaburo Honten
Irie Toyosaburo Honten takes pride in doing it all by hand, from steaming rice to making koji. You can experience various ways to enjoy Houmeishu, including Tomonoura cider, Houmeishu throat lozenges, and Tomonoura ramen with Houmeishu-infused noodles and soup. Particularly noteworthy is the “Handcrafted Hon-mirin (手仕事本味醂),” made with local Hiroshima rice and matured for three years. It’s a limited-edition product sold once a year, so be sure to reserve yours!
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Yhc1uYG1QZMuFwb9
Website: https://www.iriehonten.jp/en/
Okamoto Kametaro Honten’s Houmeishu Credit: りてあ
Okamoto Kametaro Honten
Okamoto Kametaro Honten offers unforgettable taste only found in Japan, such as “Umetarou,” Houmeishu infused with Kishu Nanko plums, “Anzu-Hime,” featuring locally grown apricots from Fukuyama, and “Shouganosuke,” adding ginger extract from Kochi. There are various ways to enjoy them, so make sure to explore the official recipes!
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/gctcVf4u3Pg4uohf9
Website: https://www.honke-houmeishu.com/
Aka Taru Honkaku Houmeishu Credit: Azumi Kuwadate on Instagram
Hatta Houmeishuho
Hatta Houmeishuho’s eye-catcher is the “Aka Taru Honkaku Houmeishu (赤たる本格保命酒),” which is made with 16 kinds of herbs, including Asian ginseng, cassia bark, dried tangerine peel, chrysanthemum, mountain yam, licorice, saffron, goji berry, Solomon’s seal, and cloves. The interesting thing is the prolonged aging of quality herbs, resulting in distinctly flavorful medicinal sake.
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DobbuB7otBatUiA89
Website: https://houmeishu.jp/
Houmeishu-ya’s Houmeishu Credit: UZUMA Brewing/Distilling Lab
Homeishu-ya Tomo Shuzo
At Houmeishu-ya, Houmeishu is crafted with a unique blend of 16 medicinal herbs. The owner “Okamoto San” even makes original sake bottles using a pottery wheel in the shop, which can be heartfelt souvenirs. If you have a specific design in mind, they can create a sake bottle just for you, so be sure to contact them in advance!
Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SmegNCzrErsxRENGA
Website: https://tomonoura.jp/
Cocktail Recipe with Houmeishu Credit: SCARLET@自宅でカクテル
How to Drink
Houmeishu can be enjoyed straight, on the rocks, with hot milk, or mixed with distilled spirits like shochu. Please make sure to check Okamoto Kametaro Honntenn’s website as they show delightful recipes, so you can explore and enjoy them in your preferred way.
Moreover, it is recommended to enjoy hot Houmeishu, so it warms you up easily from the inside during the cold winter, and if you have it chilled, it’s refreshing in the hot summer.
Baumkuchen Credit: 39RA1
Houmesishu desert
While Houmeishu is known for its health benefits, those who don’t drink alcohol might hesitate to try it. However, no worries! In Fukuyama City, various sweets made with Houmeishu are available!!
Homeishu Cake & Fuku Baum (Homeishu-infused baumkuchen)
– At Fukuyama New Castle Hotel, they create many sweets ideas featuring Homeishu.
Homeishu Pudding
– At PATISSERIE DIAMANT, they prioritize local ingredients and create sweets that capture the essence of the seasons. The smooth and creamy pudding, combined with the natural sweetness of Homeishu, is absolutely delicious.
Tomonoura in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture Credit: 丸岡ジョー
While preserving tradition, each shop continually evolves the culture of Homeishu by incorporating unique research, making it accessible to a wide audience. That’s another wonderful aspect of Tomonoura’s Houmeishu.
How about exploring the sweet and healthful Homeishu while discovering the historic cityscape of Tomonoura? Since each of the 4 companies has slightly different ingredients, the taste varies a lot. You can try samples at any store, so when you visit Tomonoura, be sure to taste and find the Houmeishu that suits your preference! Let’s raise a toast, wishing for sake’s ten benefits such as a cure-all, promoting longevity, fostering harmony, relieving stress, and increasing cold resistance!
Feature photo credit: 喫酒 幾星 Bar ixey
Want to take a visit to Hiroshima to try out Houmeishu? Make sure to book one of our Hiroshima Tours while you’re there to develop a deeper connection to the city with an expert guide!
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