Please find the list of Sake breweries in Akita, the North end of Honshu island(main island) in Japan.

Characteristics of Sake from Akita Prefecture

 Akita Prefecture is one of the coolest regions in Japan, blessed with clear underground water provided by the melting snow. The climate of the region is suitable for rice cultivation, so it has abundant Sake rice to push itself to one of the largest producers and consumers of Sake within Japan. In addition, Akita Prefecture is active in developing improved Sake rice. Akita Sake Komchi becameas a representative Sake rice of the prefecture after its development in 1988.

  Typical Sake from Tohoku regions has light dry characters. In Akita Prefecture, Akita-style long-term low-temperature fermentation method is widely used. Sake brewed at a low temperature in a slow manner makes a delicately light and dry flavours.

10. Asamai Shuzo Co., Ltd (浅舞酒造株式会社)

天の戸 – 開く未来への扉 純米の天の戸 (amanoto.co.jp)

Asamai Shuzo Co.,Ltd. / 浅舞酒造株式会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)

About the brewery:

 Asamai Shuzo is situated in the middle of Yokote Basin, in the South of Akita Prefecture, and has long been enjoying the ideal environment for Sake production, namely affluent spring water and high-quality rice. Under a motto “ Sake is born from the rice field”, it completely shifted to Junmai Sake production in 2011. Brewers put largest efforts to produce Sake to release people’s minds when it is consumed.

Representative brand : Amanoto (天の戸)

 The brand name ‘Amanoto’ was given by the founder Munemitsu Kanzaki by his citing from an old poet. A light is reflected on the new leaves of fir in Kamijiyama with an opening of the heavenly door (Amanoto). As it depicts a scene of new beginnings, the brewery is ready to challenge for the future while preserving the traditions.

Access and brewery visit information:

• 1 minute walk from Asaichi-mae Bus Stop
• Brewery visit is available with advanced resevation

11. Aramasa Co., Ltd. (新政酒造株式会社)

Aramasa Co., Ltd.  (aramasa.jp)

Aramasa Co.,Ltd. / 新政酒造株式会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)

About the brewery:

 Aramasa Co., Ltd. exclusively brews Junmai Sake, using the brewery’s original kobo called Kyokai-kobo 6 go found inside its premises more than 90 years ago. For the preparation of Shubo, the brewery uses Kimoto Method which was largely used in the Edo Period. Its Koji is also made in a traditional method called Kama Koji Method. All the Sake is proudly brewed using 45 wooden buckets.

  In addition, the brewery places a large attention to its rice selection. Uyo district in the suburbs of Akita City, rice is grown without pesticide in the rice field of more than 30 Chobo. Aramasa’s own field accounts for more than 12 Chobo and even keeps expanding.

Representative brand : No.6

 No.6 is the only Nama Sake among the Aramasa brands. No.6 is the series to directly express the charms of 6-go-Kobo. Nama Sake is often produced to be delivered between winter and spring to avoid the heat. The flavour of Nama Sake tends to fluctuate since it is not pasteurized and enzymes remain active. Unlike other Nama Sake, No.6 is strictly monitored under the environment below -5 ℃ to maintain its quality, and it is sold at strictly selected Sake retailers, therefore it can reach customers’ hands at a fresh condition.

Access and brewery visit information:

• 1 minute walk from Omachi Rokuchome Bus Stop
• Brewery is not open to public

12. Okuda Shuzo Corporation (有限会社奥田酒造店)

秋田の地酒　千代緑 | 有限会社奥田酒造店 (chiyomidori.com)

Okuda Shuzo Corporation. / 有限会社奥田酒造店 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)

About the brewery:

 The brewery was founded around 1670s, during the Empo Period. The brewery’s masters have always inherited the name Juemon. The current owner is the 18^th generation Juemon. Preserving its 300 year history, the Sake is softly brewed. The brewery is going to further develop the product quality and focus on the Junmai Ginjo delicately brewed in a small lot.

Representative brand : Chiyomidori (千代緑)

 The first generation owner made a haiku to describe scenery: “Green leaves stand out, surrounded by Chiyomidori of mountains”. The brewery remains as a traditional Sake brewery both in production methods and fame. Rich natural gift of the local environment is successfully poured into the Sake. Water from Ou Mountains is soft to the mouth, cool climate with heavy snow, high-quality rice is turned into soft and mild Sake thanks to the brewery inhabiting kobo. From rice polishing to bottling, all the steps are performed with a high professionalism of Okuda Shoten’s passion to deliver its original Sake.

Access and brewery visit information:

• 8 minute walk from JR Ugosakai Station
• Brewery visit is available upon prior reservation

13. 千歳盛酒造株式会社 Shitosezakari Co., Ltd

創業明治5年｜千歳盛酒造【きりたんぽ発祥の地 秋田県鹿角】 (chitosezakari.jp)

Kadunomeishu Co.,Ltd. / かづの銘酒株式会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)

About the brewery:

 Its foundation dates back to 1872. It started off as a brewery to produce casual Sake such as unrefined Sake, for local consumption. In the 1920s, it started the production of high-quality Sake to be awarded at Annual Japan Sake Awards. The brewery was granted an honorary award in 1938. Tamura Shuzo was forcefully merged with other breweries under a war-time company unification. It has experienced fluctuating periods and came to be called Kazunomeishu Co., Ltd.

Representative brand : Chitosesakari (千歳盛)

 Since its foundation in 1872, Chitosesakari has been popular to the locals of Kazuno. Its founder Mosuke Tamura named the Sake as Chitose wishing eternal immortality. The word of Sakari (盛) was added in 1922 to wish for an extended prosperity and eternality.

Access and brewery visit information:

• 5 minute from JR Kazuohanawa Station
• Brewery visit is available on weekday afternoons between January and March with prior reservation.

14. Kikusui Brewing Limited Partnership (喜久水酒造合資会社)

喜久水酒造 ｜トンネル地下貯蔵庫、醸蒸多知（かむたち）紹介 (kikusuisyuzo.com)

Kikusui Brewing Limited Partnership / 喜久水酒造合資会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)

About the brewery:

 The brewery was founded by the first generation Kisaburo Hirasawa in 1875.The ancestors of the family operated Koji-making business from the Edo Period which dates back to 1844 to 1849.

 The Sake from the brewery has largely been loved by Sake fans as Sake of Kisaburo. The name of Kikusui became popular after 1912.

 Current owner, 6^th generation Kikusaburo continues to create more brands to widen varieties.

  Kikushui Brewing is also well-known for an interesting Sake storage. It owns a tunnel storage which was a former underground tunnel for trains. The storage is registered as a tangible cultural property which was a tunnel used for the Ex-Ou Main Railways built in the 1900s. Kikusui Brewing gained its ownership in 1996 and the traditional 100 meter long brick-style tunnel has been performing as a huge Sake cellar which keeps the inside temperature at 12 degrees for the whole year.

Representative brand : Kikusui (喜久水)

 Owner and brewers continuously aim to produce Sake of high standard with local pride. The brewery’s attention goes as far as retailers’ storage conditions to make sure the Sake is provided to consumers on the best condition. The dedication can also be found in the careful selection of ingredients. Farmers of Sake rice are locally contracted to assure good quality. The brewery takes these local connections tremendously important to continue the small-sized local business.

Access and brewery visit information:

• 15 minute walk from JR Noshiro Station
• Brewery visit is available with prior reservation. Book in advance.

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