Hiya (Room temperature)
冷や
Temperature
20°C
Japanese Name
冷や
About
Despite the name containing 'cold' (冷), hiya traditionally means room temperature — approximately 20°C. Before refrigeration, this was simply 'not heated.' At room temperature, sake's full personality emerges: rice character, umami depth, and subtle complexity. This is the tasting temperature used by professional sake judges to evaluate a sake's true qualities without temperature distortion.
Recommended Grades
All grades can be enjoyed at hiya. Particularly good for Junmai styles, aged koshu, and any sake you want to evaluate honestly.