The Yayoi Era

Sake is offered to the Gods as a gift.

The consensus is that sake in Japan originated over 2000 years ago after rice growing was introduced from China.
In the historical text, Topography of Osumi Province, there is reference to Kuchikamizake or mouth-chew sake. At the time, people had not mastered the technique of fermenting rice, so they had to chew the uncooked rice, using their saliva in lieu of the modern fermentation process. Don't worry though, this saliva-made sake was used solely for religious rituals, not as a beverage.

Women known as Miko who serve god were the only ones qualified to make the sake intended for honoring the gods. Currently tojis are mostly men, but originally sake was made by women.