![[ Akita ] Sake brewery Archives Akita 5](https://ikki-sake.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Akita-5-868x470.jpg)
Sake to know
[ Akita ] Sake brewery Archives Akita 5
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.
19. Fukurokuju Brewery co. ltd (福禄寿酒造株式会社)
Fukurokuju Brewery co.,Ltd. / 福禄寿酒造株式会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)
About the brewery:
The Watanabe family fled from Matto of Ishikawa Prefecture due to an uprising started by Buddhists of the Ikko-sect (一向一揆) during Azuchi-Momoyama era. The first generation master, Hikobe, started the Sake production in 1688 at Gojunome-mura of Ugo-no-kuni (current Gojome-machi of Akita Prefecture). 300 years of history is considered as rare heritage among Akita’s Sake making history. At its beginning stage of Sake production, the brewery mainly produced Doburoku. The production of purified Sake started only at the end of Edo era. The fire occurred in 1921 burned down the buildings in the brewery’s premises and destroyed historical documents, which was considered as a great grief. Upper brewery and lower brewery fortunately survived the fire and have lasted until present. It was registered as a tangible cultural property in 1996. The company name was changed into Watanabe Hikobe Co., Ltd. in 1953, and turned again to Fukurokuju Brewery Co., Ltd. in 2004. Light and smooth manly Sake (男酒) has long been loved by the locals over the generations.
Representative brand : Ippaku Suisei (一白水成)
Starting in 2006, Ippaku Suisei has been the major brand of Fukurokuju Brewery. Ippaku Suisei means the tastiest Sake made from white rice and water. Spring water within the brewery’s premises has moderately hard characters. Consequently, made from the water, Ippaku Suisei has an elegant aroma, with a balanced acidity and sharpness. We are proud to announce that the Sake is produced using local water, local rice and local brewers.
Access and brewery visit information:
- 3 minute walk from Gojome Bus Terminal
- Brewery visit is suspended
20. Hokushika Co., Ltd (株式会社北鹿)
秋田の清酒 北鹿｜日本酒｜大吟醸｜純米酒｜雪中貯蔵 (hokushika.jp)
Hokushika Co.,Ltd. / 株式会社北鹿 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)
About the brewery:
1 entities plus 8 plants in Kita-Akita-gun(北秋田郡) and Kazuno-gun(鹿角郡) cooperated to start its business in 1944 under the company structuring order by the government. Company was rationalized, and started a consented production in 1971 in Odate City to last until now. It joined the Sekai Takakoyama Group in 1986. The company name became Hokushika, taking “Kita” of Kita-Akita-gun, and a letter of “Shika” (deer, 鹿) from Kazuno-gun(鹿角郡). The naming also embraces an image that natural deer inhabiting in the North makes a dignified appearance.
Representative brand : Kita-Akita (北秋田）
Hokushika Co., Ltd, located in Odate City in the North of Akita Prefecture produces Sake surrounded by the rich nature of the Shirakami Mountains, Towada and Hachimantai. It won golden prizes at the Annual Japan Sake Awards and at The Tohoku Annual Sake Awards. There are also prizes were given by The Fine Sake Awards, and The Kan Sake Award, so it is easy to say that its production technics are highly recognized in various genres.
Access and brewery visit information:
- 15 minute walk from JR Odate Station
- Brewery visit is not available
21. Maizuru Brewery Co., Ltd. (舞鶴酒造株式会社)
osake.or.jp/kuramoto/iframe/h321.html
Maizuru Brewery Co.,Ltd. / 舞鶴酒造株式会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)
About the brewery:
The Asamai district of Hirashika-cho in Yokote City is located at the edge of delta-shaped plateau, and is famous for its spring of affluent ground water. Maizuru Brewery was founded by a group of volunteers led by a monk of the Tukakuji Temple at Masuda-cho of Yokote City in 1918. The location of building a brewery was strategically selected for its pure and light water textures. The brewery’s name, Maizuru (舞鶴) and Sake brand, Asanomai (朝乃舞) were named after the local daily scenes where cranes (鶴) flew close to the brewery every morning.
Representative brand : Asanomai (朝乃舞）
Maizuru Brewery exclusively produces Junmai-shu whose Sake is aged between 3 and 5 years after it is completed. The brewery used to brew Futsu-shu, but it completely moved to Junmai-shu by the lead of Hanako Kudo, Toji and daughter of current President. She was inspired by the charms of Junmai-shu told by seniors of her college. Temperature control is critical in Sake production. Most breweries in Akita uses Akita-style long-term low-temperature method, however, Maizuru Brewery performs Sake production at a higher temperature to encourage the fermentation of moromi. The temperature is carefully adjusted accordingly to reach the ideal fermentation.
Access and brewery visit information:
- 3 minute walk from Asamai Gaku-machi Bus Stop
- Availability of brewery visit is unknown
22. Yaesu Meijo Co., Ltd (八重寿銘醸株式会社)
秋田蔵元ガイド│秋田県酒造協同組合 (osake.or.jp)
Yaesu Meijo Co.,Ltd. / 八重寿銘醸株式会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)
About the brewery:
The precedented company of Yaesu was created in 1950 by collectives of 10 breweries in the prefecture under a proposal of the Nihon Shurui Hanbai Co., Ltd. 8 brewers and Nihon Shurui Hanbai co-invested in the construction of bottling factory at Omagari of Daisen City in September 1964 to stabilize the quality of production.
Representative brand : Yaesu (八重寿）
The headquarter of Nihon Shurui Hanbai is situated at Yaesu in Tokyo. The name Yaesu was selected by employees’ votes inside the company.
The Sake is gently produced during the cold winter, so its palette touch is mild and pleasant. The designated Sake series Shirakami Sanchi no Shiki (4 seasons of the Shirakami Mountains) is also popular which was launched simultaneously with the registration of Shirakami Mountains as the world natural heritage.
Access and brewery visit information:
- 13 minute walk from JR Omagari Station
- Information for brewery visit is not disclosed
23. Yachiyo Brewing General Partnership (八千代酒造合名会社)
osake.or.jp/kuramoto/iframe/s261.html
Yachiyo Brewing General Partnership / 八千代酒造合名会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)
About the brewery:Yachiyo (八千代）
Founded in the beginning of Taisho era, the brewery was forced to cease its production due to the shortage of rice after the start of war in 1941. While Sake production was suspended, the brewery produced wine followed by a resume of Sake production in 1948. The brewery was turned into a stock company in 1930 and have lasted until present.
Representative brand :
The brand name Yachiyo was taken from a phrase in the Japanese national song, Kimigayo, wishing for a prosperity of the country.
Access and brewery visit information:
- 2 minute walk from Rokugo Kamimachi Bus Stop
- Information for brewery visit is not disclosed
24. Yamamoto General Partnership (山本合名会社)
株式会社山本酒造店 | YAMAMOTO Brewery (yamamoto-brewery.com)
Yamamoto General Partnership / 山本合名会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)
About the brewery:
The brewery was founded in 1901 at Hachimori-mura, current Happo-cho, which is famous for the fishing of sailfin sandfish.
Shirataki (白瀑) of Yamamoto Brewery has long been loved. The brewery produced Daiginjo Sake in the 1965 at one of the earliest stage of Sake production, then they came to be delivered to traditional restaurants (料亭) in Tokyo and Kobe etc.
In recent years, it demolished the Toji-led system in the Sake production. Brewers are allowed to speak up freely and exchange opinions, which contributes to a Sake made by all brewers.
Representative brand : Yamamoto (山本）
In 2010, the brewery stopped producing Sake that contained brewer’s alcohol, in brief, Honjozo Sake and Daiginjo Sake to exclusively pursue the production of Junmai, Junmai-ginjo, Junmai Daiginjo.
With a motto of “Sake production starts from its rice harvest”, Shikomi-mizu (preparation water of Sake), is used at rice fields to grow Sake rice. Half of the rice is grown without pesticide nor chemical fertilizers. There are no other breweries that produce Sake rice with its Shikomi-mizu, so we could say the Sake rice can carry the highest added value in the world. “Munoyaku Junmai Yamamoto (無農薬 純米 山本)” is a rare valued Sake made from Sake rice grown by brewers without the use of pesticides.
Access and brewery visit information:
- Contact the brewery for a visit. There may be conditions.
- 10 minute walk from Higashi-hachimori Station
25. Ryozeki Co., Ltd. (両関酒造株式会社)
【公式】両関酒造株式会社｜花邑 (ryozeki.co.jp)
Ryozeki Co.,Ltd. / 両関酒造株式会社 – IKKI – Japanese Sake Media (ikki-sake.com)
About the brewery:
The brewery was established in 1874.
Main housing and inner brewery were registered as the first national tangible asset in Akita Prefecture, and have lasted engraving the tradition through the Meiji, Taisho, Showa, Heisei and the Reiwa era.
Representative brand : Ryozeki (両関)
Hanamura is limitedly available only once a year, which makes it a Sake very difficult to obtain. The Sake is made through dedicated craftmanship, using scarce ingredients ‘Sake Mirai’ rice. As is often the case, chilled transportation is recommended for this type of Sake. Therefore Ryozeki is not suitable for mass sales, and is produced in a small lot. People often describe its characters as floral and fruity. When swallowing, people can sense the real values of low-temperature long-term method Ryozeki brewers have long worked on and improved. Smooth and delicate touches show the elegance of traditional brewery.
Access and brewery visit information:
- Contact the brewery for a visit. There may be conditions.
- 20 minute walk from JR Yuzawa Station
ikki is looking for a partner who can post your knowledge or activity on our media. If you are interested please contact us through CONTACT page.