Sake Brewery Visit

In Niigata prefecture, there are about 90 breweries. I have visited three of them in various region to see the natural environment, history and their strong feelings for their brand Sake.

Ichishima Sake Brewery

Among many small to medium sized breweries in the Niigata region, Ichishima Brewery are one of the most prominent breweries.  According to the information at the resource in the museum, the Ichishima family who once operated a pharmaceutical company, shipping company, and financial company in addition to the brewery business, played an important role in the region.  At one time the family was one of the five biggest land owners in Japan.  When you see the brewery, you will see a variety of collections of arts and crafts associated with Sake brewery, which passes down rich tradition.

When I visited, there was no guide service, but everything is open to public. Sake tasting and shopping available.

Admission Free

Open :  9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Open on Sundays and holidays

Closed : Dec. 31 – Jan. 3

Advance notice required for group visit. (Telephone: 0254-22-5150)

Address:

3-1-17 Suwa-machi, Shibata-City, Niigata Pref.

TEL 0254-22-2350

FAX 0254-23-6233

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Imayo Tsukasa Sake Brewery

The owner conducts the tour in a courteous manner. He will take you around the tanks where the Sake is stored and the Sake production site. However the production takes place in spring to autumn, and I could not see the actual Sake making.

 On the upper floor, you may have a chance to see that workers use long sticks to mix Sake while fermenting is taking place.  The owner explained that in old times, farmers and house maids used to stay in the brewery house to helpSake making during their off season of rice making.  It was an excellent system for farmers and Sake brewers, he said.

 The brewery building constructed in the Edo period is used for filming location. He explained that the rice grain has been shaved. The more the rice grain has been shaved, the higher the quality of the sake will be.

At the end of the tour, you will have a chance to taste the Sake and fermented food that is produced at the Imaitsukasa Brewery. They seem to be challenging to create a new product for the next generation.

Address:

Kagamigaoka, Chuo-ku, Niigata-City, Niigata-Pref.

Admission: Free

Tours: Start at 9am, 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm

(reservations made through the website)

Takarayama Sake Brewery

It is located near Iwamuro Onsen (Spa), in a village deep in the mountains. The Takarayama Sake Brewery is proud of the 120 year history in the heart of nature’s bounty.

When I visited the site, there were no guide tours because of a shortage of staff as the Niigata Sake Fair were held on the day and the short explanation given on their products. You will have a chance to taste several brands of Sake, incuding their spledid "Daiginjo Takarayama"!

Address:

1380 Ishise, Nishikama-ku, Niigata-City, Niigata-Pref.

Telephone:  0256-82-2003/ FAX: 0256-82-2697

Tour: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. & 13:00 = 16:30

It takes about 10 minutes by taxi from JR Iwamuro Station.