Alcohol is widely used in Japan. Grapes were introduced by the Portuguese about 400 years ago because wine was needed for sacramental purposes by Christians. Beer only arrived in Japan about 100 years ago but has become by far the most popular alcoholic beverage. Hops and Hemp We all know that beer is made from water and malts.
Hops also contains a slightly psychoactive substance, lupulin.
Few beer drinkers know that amongst all plants the closest relative of hops is cannabis hemp, marijuana. Most domestic Japanese hops is grown in Hokkaido, the Tohoku region or Nagano. All of these are former hemp growing areas, since both plants thrive in a similar environment. In the United States and in Germany, beers are brewed from crushed hemp seeds. They have a nutty taste and full flavour.