The Fushimi Sake District (伏見) is a charming, traditional sake brewing district along the willow-lined Horikawa River in southern Kyoto. Revered for the clean, soft water that flows in abundance from the river's underground springs, the district is home to nearly 40 sake breweries. Alongside Kobe's Nada District, Fushimi has been the leading sake brewing districts in the country. Among the local breweries is industry giant Gekkeikan which was founded here in 1637. Fushimi grew during the Azuchi- Momoyama Period at the base of Fushimi Castle, the retirement palace of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In the waning years of the Edo Period, Fushimi became a venue for the preparations and battleground leading to the Meiji Restoration. Sakamoto Ryoma, an important figure of the restoration, frequented the local Teradaya Inn where he barely survived an attack on his life on one occasion. At Fushimi's prime as a shipping port, flat-bottom, wooden boats plied the rivers, moving goods to and from the castle town. Wooden boats can still be seen on the river as sightseeing cruises.
