Most travelers and even locals who visit Granville Island focus on the market or the Kids Only building. The last time I went to Granville Island I decided to explore Railspur Alley where artisans have set up shop and sell unique product and gifts. One of the artisans there is Masa Shiroki, a sake producer.
Masa set up shop and opened the Artisan Sake Maker in 2007. He makes hand-made, small batches of sake right on Granville Island and it is Canada's first locally made premium sake. He is now working with a farmer to grow rice for one of their sakes on a farm in the nearby Fraser Valley. Unlike some Japanese sake which are only made once a year, Masa makes several batches throughout the year.
Besides sake, they also sell kasu or the lees, which is a great marinade for cooking. They also make and sell locally made rice based skincare line Orizee. This small little shop in Railspur Alley is not only a great place to sample locally made product but also stock up on either gifts for yourself or others.
