Akashi is a city in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan, known for its production of sake, a traditional Japanese rice wine. The… area has a long history of sake brewing, dating back to the Edo period (1603-1868). The local water source and quality of rice grown in the region are said to contribute to the unique flavor and quality of the sake produced there. In recent years, wineries have also started to appear in the area, producing wine made from both Japanese and foreign grape varietals.