If you’re staying in Tokyo and want to get out of the city for a day or two, why not visit some sake breweries while you’re at it? There is a large number of sake breweries in Tokyo’s neighbouring prefectures – some are close enough to visit on a day-trip, while others offer the perfect excuse to go stay somewhere a little off the beaten track. Here are some of our favourites:
Contents
1. Shimazaki Sake Brewery – Tochigi Prefecture
Shimazaki sake brewery was founded in Tochigi in 1849 and produces a range of high quality sake. This brewery’s biggest point of difference is that they mature some of their sake in a cave. The limestone cave they use for maturation was originally an underground factory manufacturing tanks during WWII. The cave has an average of temperature of 10C, and houses roughly 100,000 bottles. Cave tours are available (reservations can be made through their website). Aged sake isn’t very common, so if you’ve never tried it before, this is probably a good brewery to visit!
Address: 1 Chome-11-18 Central, Nasukarasuyama, Tochigi 321-0621Website / Cave tour info
2. Izumibashi Shuzo – Kanagawa Prefecture
Founded in 1857, Izumibashi Shuzo has a long history of not just sake brewing, but also rice cultivation. While most sake breweries in Japan get their rice from contract farmers, Izumibashi is one of the few breweries that actually grows their own rice. They only make junmai (pure rice) sake and roughly half of their sake is made using the kimoto technique, resulting in sake with a ricey, umami flavour. Izumibashi does not currently offer brewery tours, but they do have a shop (with tastings available) and a restaurant.
Address: 5 Chome-5-1 Shimoimaizumi, Ebina, Kanagawa 243-0435Website
3. Matsuoka Shuzo – Saitama Prefecture
Matsuoka Shuzo has been brewing sake in Saitama prefecture since 1851, and is known for its Mikadomatsu brand. The brewery uses mineral-rich spring water which has been filtered through the Chichibu mountains, with the minerality of the water being ideal for the growth of yeast during the fermentation process, resulting in unique flavours. Brewery tours are available (see their website for details), and the brewery also has a restaurant.
Address: 7-2 Shimofurutera, Ogawamachi, Hiki District, 355-0326, SaitamaWebsite / Brewery tour info
4. Terada Honke – Chiba Prefecture
Terada Honke was founded in Chiba prefecture in 1673, and is well known for its sake made with traditional brewing methods and organic ingredients. This brewery places an emphasis on fermentation with minimal intervention and strongly believes in the power of microorganisms and their role in the fermentation process. While the brewery does not offer tours, they have a cafe where you can enjoy local produce along with Terada Honke’s naturally fermented condiments and seasonings.
Address: 1964 Kozakihonshuku, Kozaki, Katori District, Chiba 289-0221Website
5. Katayama Shuzo – Tochigi Prefecture
Katayama Shuzo is a small sake brewery in Nikko, Tochigi prefecture. Founded in 1879, it has been run by the same family for seven generations. One interesting feature of this brewery is the use of traditional sake pressing methods where the sake mash is put into sacks which are gently pressed from above to extract the sake, resulting in a more delicate flavour. Free brewery tours are available (reservations necessary), and if you happen to visit during their production period (January to March) you can even sample freshly pressed sake.
Address: 146-2 Segawa, Nikko, Tochigi 321-1263Website / Brewery Tour Info
6. Tsuchida Sake Brewery – Gunma Prefecture
Tsuchida Sake Brewery is located in a small town with a population of just 3100 people in a mountainous part of Gunma prefecture, north-west of Tokyo. The brewery has been run by the same family for six generations, and focuses on producing sake using traditional techniques, such as the use of less-polished rice, the kimoto method (to naturally cultivate lactic acid bacteria), and the use of ambient wild yeast in the brewery. This results in rich, complex sake with a satisfyingly long finish. Tours are not offered, however individual visitors are welcomed.
Address: 2691 Yuhara Kawaba, Kawaba Village, Tone District, Gunma Prefecture, 378-0102Website
When Visiting Fushimi Kyoto, Don’t Miss Our Sake Tasting Tour!
When visiting Kyoto, you can’t miss a sake tour of Fushimi – so why not join us on a hunt for the area’s best sake, and best combination with food pairing session and find your favourite along the way?
Visiting a bar or sake shop and don’t know which sake to buy or taste? Join our Sake Tasting and Pairing Experience !
In this experience, you will learn all the basics about sake and be able to compare different types of sake to find the differences and get to discover how to truly enjoy sake. Joining our sake tasting tour is surely a great introduction to your sake experience . Discover Japan’s real sake & food culture and traditions!
Who Wrote This Article
Name ： Greg
Qualifications ： Sommelier of Sake, JWRC Whisky Expert
About me：
