Hidahomare is Gifu prefecture’s signature rice strain. This rice is cultivated way up in the Takayama mountain range at heights of roughly 800 meters above sea level. Hidahomare is an incredibly versatile rice, able to be used for all sake grades. In terms of flavor, it is similar to Yamadanishiki, however due to its large, round “shimpaku” (starchy white core), it cannot be milled down as far as Yamadanishiki can.