Iriguchi tank (tank for removing lees from freshly pressed sake)

An iriguchi tank (入口タンク) is a tank used exclusively for oribiki, the removal of lees (ori) from sake. In the sake-making process, freshly pressed sake is transferred into this tank so that the lees can be separated out. An iriguchi tank is usually placed in the coldest spot inside the sake brewery, where temperature control plays an important role. Storing the sake in a cold environment helps preserve its quality and allows the lees to be separated efficiently. In this way, the step of drawing off the clear part of the sake proceeds smoothly.