Matsunoo Taisha

The Matsunoo Taisha shrine is in the Arashiyama area of Kyoto. It was founded by a Korean immigrants who bought the sake brewing technique to Japan in 701. The Matsuo mountain behind the shrine is the source of sacred water which is ideal for making sake. Outside the shrine there is a small museum explaining the process of making sake. On one side of the shrine itself is a wall constructed with sake barrels from the premium labels in the area. We arrived just after the festival and you could still try your hand at firing arrows to win a lucky charm.

Since it is a sake shrine are also tanuki statues. Tanuki is a type of raccoon dog with a love sake and amazing balls. Beware these creatures are shapeshifters.