We talked about it and thought that there are both water and rice of good quality here. His ancestors had stayed at Sakutoocho ( Okayama Prefecture ) before they came here about 300 years ago. It is said it is unknown before that. The reason why they came here is there are well-balanced water and excellent rice thanks to its water , they say. ( Asuka )

2 . What kind of water is used for sake brewing ? And why ?

Underground water of Kamo River and from the mountainous region of the Western Japan are used for Japanese sake and local beer brewing. Using water of Kamo River means it contains well-balanced mineral. They used to utilize river water for washing and underground water for preparing ingredients for the brewing process. But underground water is used for all now, they say. (Souta )

3. Is there any merit in brewing method of "Kamo Goyou" ? What does this name originate from ?

The first merit is excellent water and next comes good rice and superb technique. The origin of the name is said that Kamo means Kamo River, Goyou Goyoumatsu being planted as a garden tree respectively. (Maiko )

4. Have you been shipping sake by way of Takase-bune (boat) ? Where and rom when to when ? How is this transported now ?

Until around Meiji era agricultural produce, soy-sauce, rice and sake too had been transported by boat from the landing place nearby to Okayama area along Yoshii River water system . Now automobile takes the place of boat. (Rie )

5. How is the present water of Kamo River compared with old one ?

Because of dam construction, while we can secure stable amount of water , the river itself has partly where is not washed by floods, letting weeds and moss grow. This can be said merit of nature is lost rather than to be dirty. Although water itself seems suffering little change , still we can not deny that it has much influence from dam. ( Souta )

6. Are you going to use water of Kamo River too for sake brewing from now on ?

They say underground water of Kamo River and from the mountainous region of Western part of Honshu are used continuously. A spring water in Japan is one coming after passing several decades and contains moderate oxygen and mineral remarkably delicious . (Natsuki)

7. After the floods of Kamo River a couple of years ago , we experienced collecting trash, founding various kinds of articles like mannequin , needle for a drip transfusion and so forth. By this we realized also Kamo River which is thought to be clean is not actually clean. Is there any message to us in order to preserve a clear river ?

There will float some articles brought about by illegal dumping. We want everyone to be careful many people dump trash in the field near the river or so . ( Asuka )

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Mr. Tako was kind enough to make an easy explanation on water. Asking if we might call on him together with Greg in November , we had a pleasant and favorable answer from him. After that we drank water for sake and beer use actually. Also we could see a part of sake brewing process. Lastly we would like to introduce some impressions on study session on water.

* We realized water too has taste and knew about "Kamoitsuha " much.( Maiko )

* Water had a very good taste. Drinking tap water at home, I didn't feel it good somewhat. It doesn't taste good afterwards. (Asuka)

* I thought the president of a company terrific as he is particular about water. Bubbles coming from fermentation was superb to see. I thought sake brewing is painstaking but jobs worth doing. Water of Chugoku mountainous district and Kamo River have totally different taste.