Ryukyu
琉球
Ryukyu is the GI for awamori, the distilled spirit of Okinawa Prefecture. It is defined by "all-koji" fermentation using only rice koji made with black koji mold; the mash is made with Okinawan water and pot-distilled, then stored and bottled within the prefecture.
- Production area
- Okinawa Prefecture
- Type
- Awamori
- Designated
- June 30, 1995
- Managing body
- GI琉球管理委員会（沖縄県酒造組合内） (opens in a new tab)
- Producers
- About 47
Production standard in brief
Our summary of the standard set by the National Tax Agency. See the agency's page for the official text.
The only ingredients are rice koji made with black koji mold (Aspergillus luchuensis) and water from Okinawa Prefecture. An all-koji mash is pot-distilled. Fermentation, distillation, storage and bottling take place within Okinawa Prefecture.
National Tax Agency production standard (opens in a new tab)
Brewery visits & events
November 1 is "Awamori Day," marked by events such as the distillers' association's "Ryukyu Awamori Evening" and awamori fairs at hotels. Some distilleries also offer tours and hands-on experiences.
Where to buy
In Japan, drinking alcohol under the age of 20 is prohibited by law.
FAQ
Ryukyu is the GI for awamori, the distilled spirit of Okinawa Prefecture. It is defined by "all-koji" fermentation using only rice koji made with black koji mold; the mash is made with Okinawan water and pot-distilled, then stored and bottled within the prefecture.
Awamori made in Okinawa Prefecture to the production standard.
The National Tax Agency designated it as a liquor Geographical Indication on June 30, 1995.
More from Okinawa
Discover the protected animals, festivals, paintings and sights of the same region.
Meiga no Furusato
Paintings linked to Okinawa
- Eight Views of the Ryukyu Islands: Autumn Sky at Choko
- Eight Views of the Ryukyu Islands: Evening Moon at Izumizaki
- Eight Views of the Ryukyu Islands: The Sacred Spring at Jogaku
- Pheasants in the Snow
Sake Tabi
Breweries and distilleries in Okinawa
- Helios Distillery
- Orion Happy Park (Orion Beer Nago Brewery)
- Seifuku Distillery
- Taragawa Cave Storage Tour