Sake Grove Cedar Balls Mean New Sake Is On It’s Way

Sakabayashi Cedar Ball

The picture on the right shows a Sakabayashi (Sake Grove) Cedar Ball.
These are hung outside sake breweries (and some sake off licenses) to show that sake has been recently brewed.

(Actually they seem to be always outside the breweries I’ve been to, so either they are constantly brewing new sake or it’s just a sign for a sake brewery, like the red and white poles for barbers.)

They’re made by putting cedar leaves into a wire frame and trimming it into them into a ball.

The Daily Yomiuri has reported that this years sake should be good because there’s been a succession of cold days – sake brewing takes place during the winter – the brewing process requires lower temperatures for the best results, also the cold helps keep the sake fresh longer.