Fukushima
Local Guide
Sake brewery tour in Aizu Wakamatsu and Inawashiro area. 6 recommended breweries

Blessed with high-quality rice and water, the Aizu region is known as one of the leading sake-producing areas in Japan. Fukushima Prefecture continues to break the record for the largest number of gold medals awarded in the National New Sake Competition, with breweries in the Aizu region accounting for more than half of the awards. More than half of the breweries are located in the Aizu region, and there are many breweries in Aizu Wakamatsu, where visitors can enjoy tours and shopping at direct sales outlets. Why not enjoy a tour of some of the recommended breweries in the Aizu Wakamatsu and Inawashiro area?

Clean sake brewed with famous water from Bandai

From left: “Bandai Shibori” (720 ml), “Eishiro Junmai Daiginjo” (720 ml), “Eikawa Junmai Ginjo” (720 ml)
From left: “Bandai Shibori” (720 ml), “Eishiro Junmai Daiginjo” (720 ml), “Eikawa Junmai Ginjo” (720 ml)

Founded in Aizu-Wakamatsu in 1869 (Meiji 2), the brewery relocated its facility to its current location in 1989 (Heisei 1) in search of high-quality water suitable for sake brewing.This brewery produces sake using the crisp, clear groundwater from the “Bandai West Foothills Spring Group,” one of Japan’s Top 100 Famous Waters.
The flagship brand, “Eishiro” Junmai Daiginjo, is a masterpiece crafted with the master brewer’s passion, made from 100% “Miyama Nishiki”—a sake-brewing rice variety grown in Aizu—polished to a rice polishing ratio of 40%.When tasted, a rich, fruity aroma spreads vibrantly across the palate, followed by a clean sweetness and an elegant, refined fragrance, culminating in a long-lasting finish.In addition, the “Eikawa Junmai Ginjo,” which allows you to fully enjoy its vibrant aroma and the umami of the rice, and the brewery-exclusive Junmai Ginjo Nama Genshu “Bandai Shibori” are also very popular.

Familiarize yourself with sake through factory tours and tastings

At the
At the "YUZUKURA" kiosk, you can sample representative brands.

We offer brewery tours that introduce the sake-making process primarily through video presentations. Groups of fewer than 10 people can tour on the same day by signing up at the brewery. Groups of 10 or more require advance reservations. Please note that brewery tours are available during the brewing season, from October through May; tours are suspended from June through September.
After the tour, head to the “Yukura” shop located at the factory entrance. Inside this charming building—converted from the original brewery—you can sample sake while selecting your favorite bottles. The shop also offers a wide variety of original merchandise, such as sake cups and tokkuri (sake bottles) featuring the “Eikawa” logo—perfect gifts for any sake lover.

Tenkyo
  • Address 1 Tenkyo, Sarashina, Bandai-machi, Yama District, Fukushima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 8 minutes drive from JR Bandai-cho Station
  • Business Hours Yuzo: 10:00 AM–4:30 PM (4:00 PM during winter)
    Brewery Tours: October–May; tours available during business hours
  • Closed Days Yuzo: Year-end and New Year holidays (Hours may vary during the winter season)
    Brewery Tours: Suspended from June through the end of September
  • Phone 080-3521-4879 (Direct line to Yuzo)
  • Parking Free

Historic brewery that continues to preserve the original Yamahai brewing method

From left: “Kaei-kura Junmai Ginjo” (720 ml), “Daiginjo Genzai” (720 ml), “Yamahai Junmai Ginjo Suehiro” (720 ml)
From left: “Kaei-kura Junmai Ginjo” (720 ml), “Daiginjo Genzai” (720 ml), “Yamahai Junmai Ginjo Suehiro” (720 ml)

The brewery was founded in 1850 (the third year of the Kaei era). In the early Taisho era, “Suehiro Shuzo Kaei-kura” invited Kagi Kinichiro—known as the founder of “Yamahai-shikomi,” a traditional sake brewing method—to conduct experimental brewing.The sake “Yamahai Junmai Suehiro,” which carries on this Kagi-style Yamahai brewing tradition, is a renowned sake that has won gold medals at numerous competitions both in Japan and abroad—a bottle that truly represents the brewery’s roots.The brewery also offers a range of concept-driven sakes, including the daiginjo “Genzai,” made from unblended sake that won a gold medal at a competition, and the “Yamahai Junmai Ginjo Suehiro,” which features an exquisite balance of sweetness and acidity and is highly recommended as a pairing sake.

Don't miss the direct sales shop where you can get sake that is only available at the brewery.

At the direct sales counter, you can sample some of the brewery's recommended sake.
At the direct sales counter, you can sample some of the brewery's recommended sake.

At Kaei-kura, sake is brewed using traditional, handcrafted methods, and the brewery offers free guided tours led by staff members. No reservation is required, and visitors can explore the aged sake storage cellars and view the brewing equipment.
Your experience will be twice as enjoyable if you deepen your knowledge of sake brewing before visiting the direct sales shop. The tasting corner features a selection of sake, including brewery-exclusive brands, allowing you to take your time choosing while appreciating the differences in aroma and flavor.
The “Sakagura Café Kyō” on the premises is also a hidden oasis of relaxation. In this retro space—a renovated version of the brewery’s oldest sake cellar—you can enjoy cakes made with daiginjo and amazake made from Suehiro’s sake lees.

Suehiro Sake Brewery Kaeigura
  • Address 12-38 Nisshinmachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 6 minutes drive from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station
  • Bus Direction Take the sightseeing bus from JR Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, get off at “Nanokamachi Chuo,” and walk about 5 minutes
  • Business Hours 9:30 AM–4:30 PM (last tour at 4:00 PM); Café 10:00 AM–4:30 PM (last order at 4:00 PM)
  • Closed Days Sake Brewery: Closed on the second Wednesday of each month, December 31, and January 1; Café: Closed every Wednesday and on the first and third Thursdays of each month
  • Phone 0242-27-0002
  • Parking Free

Reputed for the meticulous sake brewing by the veteran and female toji

From left, Junmai Daiginjo
From left, Junmai Daiginjo "Aizu Chujo Tokusozhu (720ml)" 6,050 yen in a box, Junmai Daiginjo "Yuri (720ml)" named after the master brewer 3,080 yen in a box, Junmai Ginjo "Aizu Chujo Yume no Kaori (720ml)" 1,870 yen

Founded in 1794 as a branch of the Eihoya family, which served as the head of the Aizu domain, the brewery is famous for having a mother and daughter toji, a rarity in Japan, including a veteran toji who won the Prefectural Governor's Award in 2022 and 2024. The Aizu Chusho series of mellow and delicious sake, brewed by the veteran toji, and the dry Yuri series, brewed by the mother who is in charge of koji making and the daughter who is in charge of brewing, are all sake that can be enjoyed as a mealtime sake. The brewery has a deep love for its hometown, and is also engaged in sake brewing using "Gohyakumangoku," Aizu-produced rice suitable for sake brewing, "Yumenokou," and yeast from Fukushima Prefecture.

Enjoy tasting sake while listening to the brewer's thoughts.

Sake tasting is always available at the direct sales counter.
Sake tasting is always available at the direct sales counter.

The wooden building facing Nanoka-machi Street in Aizuwakamatsu was built at the end of the Taisho era. Inside is a direct sales shop where visitors can sample some of the recommended products, from standard sake to seasonal sake. If you are lucky, you can choose your sake while listening to the explanation of the toji (master brewer), which is possible only in a small brewery. Each product is labeled with the rice and yeast used, flavor, and drinking temperature range, and you can feel the love that goes into each bottle.

Tsurunoe Brewery
  • Address 2-46 Nanokaicho, Aizuwakamatsu-shi, Fukushima MAP
  • Direction 5 minutes walk from JR Nanokaicho Station
  • Business hours 9:00-18:00
  • Closed January 1
  • Phone 0242-27-0139
  • Parking Free of charge (2 cars)

A popular brewery with a variety of excellent sake that is highly acclaimed both in Japan and abroad.

From left, junmai ginjo sake
From left, junmai ginjo sake "Zenki-ya (1,800ml)" 3,795 yen, junmai ginjo sake "Gekkyu (1,800ml)" 2,805 yen, junmai ginjo sake "Gekkyu Kahori (1,800ml)" 3,080 yen, "Nagurayama Daiginjo (1,800ml)" 5,940 yen (tax included), which was made to enter in a competition )

Founded in 1918 (Taisho 7). The brewery is well known for its meticulous sake brewing that aims for "clean sweetness," and has won the gold medal at the National New Sake Competition 13 times.
Nagurayama Daiginjo, the face of the brewery, is sake made with the best ingredients, techniques, and conditions, and boasts a fruity taste that harmonizes the five tastes of sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. Junmai-shu "Tsukiyumi," made with Fukushima sake rice "Kaori Yume no Kaori" and Fukushima Prefecture-developed yeast, is a bottle of sake that is both gorgeous and full-bodied, and offers a clean sweet experience.

Sake brewery tours open the rare brewing cellar to the public

The brewery with open tanks lined up.
The brewery with open tanks lined up.

Gold medal-winning sake and sake below the ginjo-shu level are brewed in separate warehouses and thoroughly temperature-controlled to bring out the best flavor. The brewery was built in the Meiji era (1868-1912), and has a charming atmosphere.
Since 80% of the products of the Nagurayama Sake Brewery are shipped within the prefecture, it is recommended to buy locally. The sake has won awards at domestic and international sake competitions, making it an ideal souvenir for sake lovers.

Nagurayama Brewery
  • Address 2-46 Sengokucho, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction Approximately 8 minutes from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station by car
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station, get off at "Sengokuchuo" and walk 4 minutes.
  • Business Hours 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
  • Closed Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays
  • Phone 0242-22-0844
  • Parking Free

Reviewing the design of sake quality to create world-class sake

From left: flagship brands “Aizu Miyaizumi,” “WAGYUMAFIA × SHARAKU SM SPARKLING,” and “Sharaku”
From left: flagship brands “Aizu Miyaizumi,” “WAGYUMAFIA × SHARAKU SM SPARKLING,” and “Sharaku”

Founded in 1955 (Showa 30) in front of “Tsurugajo Castle” in Aizu-Wakamatsu City.Its flagship brands, “Sharaku” and “Aizu Miyaizumi,” are popular nationwide. A major turning point for the brewery came in 2002, when the current fourth-generation brewery owner returned to his hometown.After leaving his job as a systems engineer to return to the brewery, he witnessed firsthand the inadequacy of the existing technology and equipment. He thoroughly reevaluated the approach to sake brewing, the brewing process, and the brewery environment from the ground up, and completely overhauled the brewing equipment.As a result of his relentless pursuit of technical excellence, “Sharaku” won first place in both the Junmai and Junmai Ginjo categories at the “SAKE COMPETITION”—recognized as the world’s largest sake competition—held in 2014, instantly propelling the brewery into the national spotlight.
In addition to “Sharaku”—launched by the fourth-generation owner for the national market— “Aizu Miyaizumi,” which also won first place in the Junmai category at the “SAKE COMPETITION,” has won Grand Prix awards at numerous other competitions.

Uncompromising sake brewing using high quality water and rice

The brewery is highly regarded not only for its quality, but also for its sanitary management.
The brewery is highly regarded not only for its quality, but also for its sanitary management.

In the rice paddies cultivated in collaboration with contract farmers, the brewery produces locally grown sake rice varieties such as “Gohyakumangoku” and “Yumenoka.”In addition to locally grown rice, the brewery uses rare sake rice varieties that are not commonly available nationwide—such as the Special A-class “Sake Mirai,” “Hashu Homare,” “Aka-iwa Omachi,” “Tojo Yamada Nishiki,” and “Yoshikawa Yamada Nishiki”—as part of its ongoing commitment to improving the quality of its sake.Regarding storage, while most sake breweries typically store their sake at room temperature in large tanks, “Miyaizumi Meijo” does not use tank storage to prevent oxidation from air and deterioration at room temperature; instead, it strictly adheres to refrigerated storage with the entire batch bottled.Although tours of the brewery are not available, the exterior of the building—constructed of plaster and wood—is a sight to behold in its own right.

Miyazumi Meijo
  • Address 8-7 Toei-cho, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture MAP
  • Direction 7 minutes drive from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Aizuwakamatsu Station and get off at Kita-Demaru-Odori (1 min. walk).
  • Business hours 9:00-16:30 (No tours allowed)
  • Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays *Shops are open daily.
  • Phone 0242-27-0031
  • Parking Free

Long-established sake brewery loved for its strong, unfiltered, unfiltered sake

From left,
From left, "Inagawa Daiginjo (1,800ml)" 6,600 yen, Junmai Ginjo Unfiltered Genshu "Shichijuro Red Label (1,800ml)" 3,247 yen, Junmai Sake "Hyakugo (1,800ml)" 2,648 yen

Founded in 1848 in Inawashiro Town, the brewery focuses on unfiltered, unfiltered sake. Its signature product, "Shichijuro," is a sake bearing the venerable name of the head of the brewery, which has been passed down from generation to generation, and the brewery specializes in a series of junmai unfiltered sake.
The striking name "Hyakujugo" (one hundred and fifteen) is a gem of a sake, named after the National Route 115 that passes by the rice fields where the rice is grown, and where the toji (chief brewer) handles everything from the cultivation of the rice to the production of the sake.
Inagawa Daiginjo, which has won the gold medal many times at the National New Sake Competition, is another brand that has many fans.

Valuing local distribution as the only brewery in Inawashiro

A small community-based brewery. In addition to sake, sake kasu (sake lees) is also sold.
A small community-based brewery. In addition to sake, sake kasu (sake lees) is also sold.

The store name "Inagawa" is named after rice, the lifeblood of sake, and "river" after the underground water from Bandai-san. The brewery's toji and all Staff/staff members are from Inawashiro Town and the surrounding area, and they place great importance on brewing sake with local rice and water. There used to be five or six breweries in Inawashiro, but now there is only one, Inagawa Sake Brewery. The brewery is not open to the public, but visitors can buy sake at the office and store. Most of the brands are distributed locally, so many of them are not found outside of the prefecture, making them a pleasure to taste.

Inagawa Sake Brewery
  • Address 4916 Shinmachi, Inawashiro-cho, Yama-gun, Fukushima MAP
  • Direction 7 minutes drive from JR Inawashiro Station
  • Direction Take a bus from JR Inawashiro Station, get off at "Bus Center" and walk about 2 minutes.
  • Hours of operation 8:30-17:00
  • Closed Closed on weekends and holidays
  • Phone 0242-62-2001
  • Parking Free of charge (2 cars)

MAP

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*The information provided is current as of the article’s update date. Please check in advance before visiting, as details are subject to change.