Awamori is Okinawa’s traditional distilled spirit and the oldest distilled liquor in Japan, with roots reaching back over 500 years to Ryukyu Kingdom trade. Made from long-grain Thai rice and black koji mould unique to Okinawa, it’s stronger and more characterful than mainland shochu. Aged versions, called kusu, mellow over years into something prized and complex. Sipping awamori at an izakaya — neat, on the rocks or in a highball — is one of the great pleasures of an Okinawan evening.

This guide covers what awamori is, how it’s made and aged, how to drink it, tasting tips and where to try it.

🗓️ Quick Reference
What Okinawan distilled rice spirit
Strength ~25–43% ABV (some higher)
Aged form Kusu (matured 3+ years)
How to drink On the rocks, with water, or highball
Good for Izakaya nights, tastings, gifts

What is awamori?

  • Distilled from long-grain (indica) rice inoculated with black koji, a mould native to Okinawa’s climate.
  • Single-distilled, giving it a fuller, more aromatic character than typical shochu.
  • Bottled young or aged; styles range from light and clean to deep and rounded.

Kusu: aged awamori

  • Kusu is awamori matured for three years or more, traditionally in clay pots.
  • Ageing softens the spirit and develops vanilla, nutty and mellow notes.
  • Some families keep prized kusu for decades to mark special occasions.

How to drink it & tasting tips

  • On the rocks or mizuwari (with water) are the classic local serves; highballs are popular too.
  • Awamori is strong — pace yourself and drink water alongside.
  • Try a flight comparing young vs kusu, or different distilleries, to taste the range.
  • The chili-in-awamori condiment kōrēgūsu also flavours Okinawa soba.

Where to try it

  • Izakaya along Kokusai-dori offer wide awamori lists, often with live sanshin — see our Kokusai-dori guide .
  • Some distilleries offer tours and tastings (book ahead).
  • Pair with rafute and champuru — see our Okinawan cuisine guide .

How to get there

  • Easiest to sample at izakaya in central Naha (Kokusai-dori, Makishi).
  • Distillery visits are best by rental car; confirm tasting/tour times in advance.