Enjoy Sake in Suwa City: A Tour of Five Breweries

Enjoy Sake in Suwa City: A Tour of Five Breweries

In "A Trip to Enjoy Sake in Suwa City, Recommendations for Visiting the Five Breweries," we propose an attractive trip to visit the five breweries that have been nurtured by the rich nature and history of Nagano Prefecture and continue to be loved by the local people.
At the historic breweries in Suwa City, you can experience the deep taste of sake produced by traditional methods and the unique stories of each brewery.
We introduce the highlights of each brewery, recommended sakes, and tips for visiting them. We bring a special experience in Suwa City to not only sake lovers but also those who are about to explore the world of sake.
Enjoy a trip to Suwa City, which is filled with the charm of sake, along with a tour of the five breweries.

Plan for sake tour in Suwa City "sakagura sake brewery tour"

If you buy "Gokuraku Set" at your favorite sake brewery among Gozo, the sakagura sake brewery tour starts.
You can go around Gozo with the Gokuraku set and enjoy the sake that each brewery is proud of. There is no expiration date (*), so you can go around in one day, spend two days, or leave it for the next time.
Conquer the Gozo at your own pace.

* The app version has an expiration date.

Guide to visiting sake breweries

① Buy the Gokuraku set

Gokuraku set 2500 yen including tax
The "Gokuraku Set" is a 3-piece set of bag, glass and stamp card. There is no expiration date, so you can use it across the day. It takes about an hour and a half to go around Gozo.

※ Please refrain from bringing in snacks.
※ You can only pay in cash.
※ Sales may be suspended during the year-end and New Year holidays and Obon period.

② Tasting by visiting sake breweries

Please come from your favorite brewery. We will show you the Gokuraku set and taste the sake that each brewery is proud of. If it is difficult to taste, you can exchange it for cup sake.

Acces

By car:

By train:

You can use a chartered taxi to pick you up and drop you off after tasting

You can use a chartered taxi to enjoy the famous "Suwa no Gozo" inside and outside Nagano Prefecture.
Transportation to and from Suwa City and its suburbs is available.
You can also get local recommendation information such as popular shops and souvenir shops from drivers who know the local area.
◎ Website:
Suwa Gozo Meguri! Chartered Taxi

Caution

※ Each brewery has limited space, so we don't accept groups of more than 15 people.
※ Please do not bring in snacks.
※ Sake brewery tour is not available on the day of the "Machiaruki Tokimi Aruki" event.
※ It is not a warehouse tour.
※ The amount of alcohol you can drink depends on the season.

Trip to the Five Breweries

A trip around the five breweries in Suwa City is truly a dream experience for sake lovers. On this trip, you will visit the unique breweries of Maihime, Reijin, Honkin, Yokobue and Masumi, where traditional brewing techniques are combined with modern innovations to create unique sakes. At each brewery visit, you can enjoy tasting specially selected sake that reflects the unique local climate and culture, and you will be able to deeply touch the history and story of each brewery.

Masumi

Masumi is a brewery named after the "Masumi Mirror" of Suwa-taisha Shrine. Since its establishment in 1662, it has continued to produce sake under the clear water and cool climate of Suwa, Shinshu. It is also known as the birthplace of the "No. 7 yeast". It aims to provide high-quality sake to be enjoyed with meals. It is a brewery that is challenging the possibility of new sake while preserving tradition through sake brewing that connects people, nature and the times.

Masumi Highly Recommended Black Kuro

"Masumi Ichioshi Shikoku Kuro" is a jummai ginjo-shu made from the company's own No. 7 yeast. The name "Shikoku" is characterized by its transparency, harmony of taste, and sharp texture.
It is made into a standard sake that can be enjoyed in any situation, from daily dining tables to special banquets. It goes well with dishes made with bland ingredients and herbs, and especially when combined with abalone and yakitori neck meat, it brings out the flavor even more.

Dishes that go well with each other. It goes well with dishes with simple ingredients, herbs and spices. Try it with abalone for sushi or with neck meat for yakitori. There are also grilled conger eel, Pond Smelt tempura, salt-grilled sweet fish, chicken and celery stir-fry, and herb grilled sea bream.

[Product name: Kuro]
・Category：　jummai ginjo-shu
・Shipping time：　 Year-round sales
・ Ingredients：　rice, malted rice varieties Nagano Miyama-Nishiki Nagano Kato City Yamaguni Yamada nishiki Nagano hitogokochi
・Rice-polishing ratio：　55%
・Alcohol content：　15%
・How to drink：　◎ cold sake ◎ room temperature ◎ warm sake
・Storage method：　Cool and dark place

【Miyasaka Brewing Company, Ltd.】
・Creation：　1662
・Representative brand：　Masumi
・Business hours：　All days 10:00 - 17:00
・Regular holidays：　As a general rule, every Wednesday and January 1st
・Address：　1-16 Motomachi, Suwa, Nagano
・Phone：　0266-52-6161
・Website：　Sera Masumi official website
・Website：　Masumi official website

Maihime

Maihime Shuzo was founded in 1894 and is one of the five breweries located along the Koshu-kaido Road in Suwa-shi, Nagano-ken. In this area, underground water from Kirigamine Peak is used for brewing, and each brewery produces its own unique sake. In order to create a new history of sake while preserving tradition, Maihime emphasizes "making sake with a visible face" and "rice growing with a visible face." In particular, high-quality sakamai is secured through contract cultivation using the rice suited for brewing sake "Miyama-Nishiki" and "Hitogokochi." The brewery's employees, mainly toji and female kurabito, do their best to create a unique flavor through long-term, low-temperature fermentation.

Traditional Junmai Daiginjo "Suiro Junmai Daiginjo Yamadanishiki Unfiltered Unprocessed Sake Migaki 39"

Maihime's "Suiro Junmai Daiginjo Yamadanishiki Unfiltered Unprocessed Shusei 39" is a junmai daiginjo that uses the highest quality sakamai "Yamadanishiki" and is brewed slowly at low temperatures.
This sake is characterized by its gorgeous aroma, light and beautiful taste, and smooth texture like silk or velvet. You can enjoy its luxurious flavor and flavor.
A drop full of elegance will provide you with a happy moment.

Dishes that go well together
White fish carpaccio, herb-grilled chicken, fresh vegetable bagna cauda, salmon marinated in shio-koji, miso soup with tofu and mushrooms, Japanese style pasta shirasu and shiso leaves, etc.

【Product name: Suiro]】
・Category：　Junmai ginjo
・Shipping time：　Year-round sales
・Raw material name：　Yamae nishiki
・Rice-polishing ratio：　59%
・Alcohol content：　17度
・How to drink：　○冷酒　◎常温
・Storage method：　冷暗所

【Maihime Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.】
・Creation：　1894
・Representative brands：　信州舞姫、翠露
・Business hours：　All days 9:30 - 17:00
・Regular holidays：　December 31, January 1
・Address：　2-9-25 Suwa, Suwa, Nagano
・Phone：　0266-52-0078
・Website：　Maihime official website

Reijin

Reijin Shuzo has a history of more than 200 years and uses sakamai grown in Nagano and underground water from Kirigamine Peak to pursue the essence of nihonshu.
The Daikokubashira (main pillars of the company) from the time of its founding remains, and the inscription of Matsuo-taisha in Kyoto Prefecture speaks of its history. In addition, it continues to innovate while preserving tradition, such as brewing local beer "Suwa Roman".
The clean underground water from the wells is the key to sake brewing. Every minute, 150 liters of water gushes out from the Kirigamine Peak, and this rich natural environment and long history support the sake brewing of Reijin.

Ginjo Karakuchi no Kiwami: Pursuit of the Ultimate in Karakuchi

"Ginjo Karakuchi no Kiwami" is a ginjo-shu produced by Reijin Shuzo in pursuit of extreme dryness.
This sake is made from rice suited for brewing sake produced in Nagano. It has a refreshing and refreshing taste that goes down your throat, and it is so hot that you won't get tired of drinking it. This dry ginjo sake, which is perfect for drinking at a reasonable price, can be enjoyed in a wide range of temperatures from cold to hot sake.
In particular, "lukewarm sake" is recommended. By raising the temperature, the spiciness increases, and it becomes more enjoyable for those who like hot sake.

Dishes that go well together
Salt-flavored Yakisoba, carpaccio, deep-fried chicken, sake-steamed asari clams, cheese platter, chilled tomato, grilled fish, pork shabu-shabu with grated daikon and ponzu, cold tofu, etc.

【[Product name：Ginjo Karakuchi no Kiwami】
・Category：　Ginjo-shu
・Shipping time：　Year-round sales
・ Ingredients：　Nagano rice suited for brewing sake
・Rice-polishing ratio：　59％
・Alcohol content：　15 degrees or more and less than 16 degrees
・Sake meter value：　＋10
・Acidity：　1.4
・Amino acid level：　1.2
・How to drink：　Rock ◎ Cold sake ◎ Room temperature hot sake ○ Warm sake
・Storage method：　Cool and dark place

【Reijin Brewery Co., Ltd.】
・Creation：　1789
・Representative brand：　Reijin
・Business hours：　Monday - Saturday 9:00 - 17:30, Sundays and holidays 9:00 - 17:00
・Regular holidays：　None (closed during the year-end and New Year holidays)
・Address：　2-9-21 Suwa, Suwa, Nagano
・Phone：　0266-52-3121
・Website：　Reijin official website

Honkin

Established in the 6th year of the Horeki era, Honkin Shuzo is a family-run brewery with a history of more than 250 years. They aim to make sake that is loved by customers by trying to do business without two sides.
Honkin has contributed to the development of local culture and business, and has been involved in activities that take into consideration the ecology of Lake Suwa. The historic brewery uses Miyama-Nishiki produced in Nagano Prefecture, and is pursuing new possibilities for sake production while retaining traditional techniques.
The history of Honkin Shuzo goes back to the sixth year of the Horeki era, when the company's founder Isaburo Miyasaka started the brewery business. While contributing to the development of the Suwa region, he has also made efforts to protect the ecosystem of Lake Suwa.
In the Heisei period, the production volume was reduced to just over 100 koku, and high-quality sake production continued. Karachitaichi, in particular, has played a gold-medal winner of National New Sake Awards role in the production of Miyama-Nishiki produced in Nagano Prefecture and has become Honkin's flagship product. At present, the brewery Miyasaka 恒太朗 serves as the chief brewer, and with the goal of "making the real best sake," they are trying to make new sake while preserving the tradition.

"Honkin Junmai Ginjo" is a unique appeal of junmai ginjo.

"Honkin Junmai Ginjo" is a sake that is characterized by its transparency and the gentle flavor of the ginjo. As a great supporting role that brings out the taste of the meal, it gives a sense of presence without being too assertive. This Junmai Ginjo is produced in pursuit of a well-balanced aroma and flavor, and it is a dish that enriches the table.

Dishes that go well together
Assorted sashimi, salt-grilled chicken, savory steamed egg custard, baked foil-wrapped salmon, vegetable tempura, ginger-fried pork, etc.

【Brand name: Honkin Junmai Ginjo】
・Category：　Junmai ginjo
・Rice-polishing ratio：　55%
・Storage method：　Cool and dark place

【Sakenunoya Honkin Shuzo Co., Ltd.】
・Creation：　1756
・Representative brands：　Honkin, Taichi
・ Business hours：　Weekdays 9:00 ~ 17:00, Saturdays 10:00 ~ 17:00, Sundays 10:00 ~ 17:00 (* Sundays are irregular and open 2-3 days a month)
・Address：　 2-8-21 Suwa, Suwa, Nagano
・Phone：　0266-58-0161
・Website：　Honkin official website

Yokobue

The Yokobue Shuzo Brewery is supported by the rich natural environment of Suwa, where water, rice, hot springs, and the blessings of nature are used to bring out the original flavor of sake.
The name Yokobue comes from a tragic love story in the Heian period. Just like that story, Yokobue Shuzo has been conducting research and development with the aim of creating sake that will bring smiles to people's faces.
Only a limited amount of sake is produced by hand making process, and the original taste of sake is valued.

The origin of the name yokobue

The name Yokobue comes from a tragic love story between Wakamusya Saito-Takiguchi Tokiyori and a court lady "Yokobue" in the Heian period.
The story is about the deep affection of Tokiyori and Yokobue and their fateful separation, with the theme of love and separation. Tokiyori falls in love and continues to send letters to Yokobue, but they are never married due to their different social status, and eventually the two become priests.
This sad story is the origin of the brand name "Yokobue", and it also has a deep thought about sake brewing. The statue of Amida Nyorai, which is associated with the story, has been passed down to the present day as the principal image of Daien-in Temple.
The first head of the Yokobue family was so impressed by this tragic love story that he named the sake "O-meishu Yokobue" and used the "Picture of Kobai" by Ito Shinsui as the label design.

Yokobue pure rice sake

"Yokobue Junmaishu" is a sake with an exquisite balance of the gentle sweetness unique to junmai and the refreshing dry taste.
You can enjoy a deep taste that is a little different from ordinary dry sake. Especially when it is made into hot sake, its deliciousness stands out more.
If you like hot sake, it's worth trying at least once.

Dishes that go well together
Oyster pairings provide a great opportunity to fully enjoy the taste of winter. The gentle sweetness and refreshing dry balance of junmai-shu accentuates the rich taste of oysters. Combined with yokobue junmai-shu made into hot sake, you can feel the warm deliciousness in the cold season.

【Product name: Yokobue Junmaishu】
・Category：　jummai ginjo-shu
・Shipping time：　Year-round sales
・Ingredients:：　Nagano Shirakaba nishiki 20%, Rice-polishing ratio 65% Nagano Yoneshiro 80%, Rice-polishing ratio 65%
・Alcohol content：　15 degrees or more and less than 16 degrees
・How to drink：　○ warm sake ○ warm ◎ room temperature ◎ cold
・Storage method：　Cool and dark place

【Ito Brewing Co., Ltd.】
・Creation：　1955
・Representative brand：　Yokobue
・Business hours：　weekdays 8:30 to 17:00, Saturdays and holidays 10:00 to 17:00, Sundays 10:00 to 17:00
・ Regular holidays：　December 31 to January 3
・Address：　2-3-6 Suwa, Suwa, Nagano
・Phone：　0266-52-0108
・Website：　Yokobue official website

Sake Brewing in Suwa City: The History and Tradition of Japanese Sake Made in a Natural Environment

Sake brewing in Suwa is supported by the rich natural environment and deep cultural roots of Nagano, which has a long history of sake brewing. Sake has been produced for dedication and as a gift through the castle town of Suwa Taisha and Takashima Castle. The rainwater from Kirigamine is filtered through the bedrock that contains the Hiraishi, creating the best water for brewing sake. The sake that grows here is said to have a unique flavor. These blessings of nature are combined with the traditional techniques inherited by Suwa Toji to create high-quality sake.

The charm and experience of Suwa Gozo

The charm and experience of Suwa Gozo is a window to deeply understand the sake culture of Suwa city. Unique points of a brewery visit include an insight into each brewery's unique history and brewing techniques, an opportunity to witness the traditional brewing process firsthand, and an experience that allows you to feel firsthand the passion and skills of the brewery workers. Furthermore, in the tasting experience of specially selected Japanese sake, you can taste the brand that each brewery is proud of, and you can discover the depth of Japanese sake through the unique flavor of the place and the philosophy of sake brewing.

Visiting breweries The passion and culture embodied in sake

There are many unique points in visiting the breweries in Suwa Gozo. First of all, being able to experience the history and tradition of each brewery is a valuable experience that cannot be experienced anywhere else.
Visitors can learn about traditional brewing methods and see firsthand the craftsmanship of the brewery. Another great attraction of visiting a brewery is that you can learn about the different architectural styles of each brewery and the unique story of each brewery.
Through these experiences, you can gain a deeper understanding of the depth of passion and culture in sake.

Specially selected sake tasting experience

The specially selected sake tasting experience is one of the most memorable parts of the Suwa Gozo tour. You can directly taste the sake recommended by each brewery with confidence. Through its unique flavor and aroma, you can sense the rich nature of the Suwa region and its deep love for sake brewing.
Through this experience, visitors will be able to understand the diversity and complexity of sake and be exposed to the philosophy of sake brewing cherished by individual breweries.

Sake Brewing in Suwa: The Role of Water and Toji

The clear water source unique to the region and the traditional techniques of the toji play an important role in sake brewing in Suwa.
The water in the Suwa region is used for sake brewing after rainwater from Kirigamine passes underground for a long time and is naturally filtered.
This water forms the basis of the unique taste of sake in Suwa City. The role of toji is also immense, and their skill and in-depth knowledge are the key to producing high-quality sake.

Clean water source in Suwa

Rainwater from Kirigamine is naturally filtered and passes through the Hiraishi, producing a unique mineral balance.
This water is used in breweries in Suwa city to produce Japanese sake with unique taste.

Techniques of sake brewing by toji

The techniques of sake brewing by toji are a process of skill backed by years of experience and tradition.
The toji in Suwa have a deep understanding of the climate and the quality of the water. They make use of this knowledge to produce sake with a rich flavor using local ingredients.

Delving Deeper Into Suwa's Appeal

Suwa is a jewel of Nagano Prefecture, with its rich nature, historic shrines, cultural institutions, and seasonal events. A trip to the sake grown here is worth more than just a tour of the breweries. Let's delve deeper into the charms of Suwa.
The Suwa Taisha is a sacred place that symbolizes the city and is the head shrine of all Suwa Shrine shrines in Japan. It consists of four shrines: Kamiyashiro Hongu, Kamiyashiro Maegu, Shimosha Togu, and Shimosha Akigu. This makes visitors feel the beauty of history and nature at the same time.

Sightseeing spots around Suwa City

【Suwa Taisha - one of the oldest shrines in Japan】
The Suwa Taisha is a sacred place that symbolizes the city and is the head shrine of all Suwa Shrine shrines in Japan. It consists of four shrines: Kamiyashiro Hongu, Kamiyashiro Maegu, Shimosha Togu, and Shimosha Akigu. This makes visitors feel the beauty of history and nature at the same time.

・Website：
Suwa Taisha


【Visit to Four Companies: Deep Faith and Beautiful Nature】
Visiting the four shrines of Suwa Taisha is a great opportunity to experience the deep religious faith of the Suwa region and the natural beauty of each of the four seasons. Each shrine is located around Lake Suwa and can be visited along with a stroll along the lakeside.

・Website：
Tour of the Four Suwa-taisha Shrines


【Fireworks at Lake Suwa - A Summer Tradition】
Lake Suwa's fireworks display is known as a summer tradition and attracts many tourists from all over the country. In particular, the Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival on August 15 is attractive for its powerful staging.

・Webサイト：
Fireworks at Lake Suwa


【Takashima Castle: The History of Mizuki】
Takashima Castle is a historical castle that was once called the "Floating Castle". It has now been restored and is open to visitors as a scenic spot with a panoramic view of Lake Suwa.

・Website：
Takashima Castle


【Katakurakan - "Silk Emperor" Heritage】
From the Taisho period to the early Showa period, the city of Suwa prospered as a silk manufacturer. The Katakura Hall is a unique Western building built by a zaibatsu, and its luxurious interior and historical value fascinate visitors.

・Website：
Katakurakan


【Kohan Park (Lakeside Park) - Contact with Nature】
Nestled on the shores of Lake Suwa, this park is a great place to enjoy nature. You can experience the natural blessings of Suwa City at the free footbath facilities and the Geyser Center.

・Website：
Suwa City Kohan Park


【Kitazawa Museum of Art and Taiji Harada Art Museum - Experience art in Suwa】
Suwa is home to many art museums, including the Kitazawa Museum of Art and the Taiji Harada Museum of Art, where you can experience a community-based artistic culture.
At the Taiji Harada Museum of Art, you can enjoy the landscapes of nature and people's lives painted by painters from Suwa.

・Website：
Taiji Harada Art Museum
Kitazawa Museum of Art


【Kirigamine Plateau - Experience and Natural Attractions
Kirigamine Plateau rises gently from Kurumayama to Kirigamine. Seasonal alpine plants, such as Japanese azaleas, orange-yellow day lily, and matsumushiso, color the green grasslands in different colors. There is a panoramic view of famous Japanese peaks such as Mt. Fuji, the Alps, and the Yatsugatake Mountain Range. Kirigamine Plateau is also known as the birthplace of Japanese gliders, with its abundant updrafts.

・Website:
Kirigamine Plateau


【SUWA Glass no Sato - one of the largest glass shops in the country】
SUWA Garasu-no-Sato is one of the largest glass shops in the country, with a collection of about 10,000 unique glass products from around the world. There is also a workshop where you can experience making original glass products, so you can enjoy a new world of glass.

・Website:
Suwa Garasunosato Glass Museum

These sightseeing spots are all places where you can deeply experience the nature, history and culture of Suwa City. Please enjoy them together when you enjoy a sake trip.


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