Photo/Illutration Tsuchiura Mayor Mariko Ando, right, and Deputy Mayor Soji Katayama pour lotus root paste into a tank at a brewery in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture, on May 24. (Yuji Harada)

TSUCHIURA, Ibaraki Prefecture--Shochu made from lotus roots harvested in this city famed for its crop is coming to store shelves soon.

The project is the brainchild of the city government, which is working with a brewery in Ibaraki Prefecture and a locally based agricultural co-op.

Tsuchiura is the nation’s top production area for lotus roots.

The liquor will go on sale later this year in 720-milliliter bottles. It boasts the tell-tale delicate sweetness of the lotus root but leaves a bland, clean taste, according to aficionados.

It takes about 800 kilograms of lotus roots to produce 1,800 bottles. The distilled spirit contains 25 percent alcohol.

According to the city’s agriculture, forestry and fisheries division, the Tsuchiura-based JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives) Suigo Tsukuba co-op is in charge of buying the ingredients, while the liquor is made by Meiri Shurui Co. in Mito, the Ibaraki prefectural capital.

The price has yet to be determined. The shochu will be sold at liquor shops and other retailers in and outside Tsuchiura from November.

Mayor Mariko Ando and Deputy Mayor Soji Katayama visited Meiri Shurui on May 24 to exchange opinions with the president, Toshimasa Okubo, about ways to market the product.

The duo also tried their hand at preparing the spirit by pouring lotus root paste into a tank containing malted rice.

In 2021, the city government commercialized shochu made from locally grown “soba” buckwheat.

The spirit still sells well, leaving stores temporarily out of stock on occasion.

“I believe the lotus root harvested in Tsuchiura is the best in Japan not only in terms of production volume but also in quality and taste,” Ando said. “We hope people will try the shochu and be charmed by it.”

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