1
Yachiya Sake Brewery

A long-established sake brewery with a long history of making sake for the lord of the Kaga domain for more than 430 years

The brewery has a history of more than 430 years, dating back to 1583 when it moved from Owari to Kanazawa to brew sake for Toshiie Maeda, and in 1628 received the brand name "Kaga Tsuru" from the third lord of the domain, combining the trade name "Yachiya" (Taniuchiya at that time) and the name of the region, "Kaga," which means "crane" in Japanese. The most popular is "Kaga Tsuru".
The most popular sake is "Lord Toshiie Maeda," a special junmai sake named after the founder of the Kaga domain. It is 60% polished rice with a gentle lingering aroma of rice, and can be enjoyed cold or warmed.

Tour the earthen storehouse sake brewery built more than 250 years ago.

The rice used for sake brewing is high-quality "Gohyakumangoku" and "Ishikawamon" rice grown by 15 local contract farmers in the mountains, where temperatures vary greatly from day to night. The sake is brewed using clear subterranean water from the Iouzen mountain system, and is produced by a group of Toji (chief brewers) and Kurabito (brewers) who come from Noto to work as migrant workers.
Behind the main building, which is designated as a Tangible Cultural Property by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, is a maze of 250-year-old breweries. Visitors can sign up for a "Sake Brewery Tour," during which Staff/staff members will explain the production process and give a tour of the interior, including a sake tasting.

Yachiya Sake Brewery

• 8-32 Ohi-cho, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• 10 minutes by cab from JR Kanazawa Station
• 10:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 16:00
• Sundays (open on Sundays and closed on Mondays if Monday is a national holiday), Year-end and New Year holidays
• Sake brewery tour 1,500 yen (discount available when purchasing sake at the store)
• 076-252-7077
• Free of charge
• Sake brewery tours are held twice a day from 13:30 and 15:00 (40 minutes each). Advance reservations required by phone during business hours.

2
Kano Sake Brewery

The lineup includes 11 varieties of sake, mainly mellow Yamahai brewed sake.

The brewery is located in a rural area about an 8-minute drive east of Kaga hot spring station, with a distant view of the sacred mountain Hakusan in the distance. The brewery was founded in 1819, and the current owner is the seventh generation. The sake produced is "Jokigen," which is often seen at liquor stores and restaurants in Kanazawa and other parts of Hokuriku and is popular for enhancing the taste of seafood. Among the many varieties of sake available, the secret sake sold only at the brewery and some limited stores are the daiginjos "Ryo" and "Tsune". The "Ryo" is bottled and aged at low temperatures for five years, and its concentrated flavor is very appealing. The "Tsune" is a fast brewing sake with a fruity and crisp taste.

The key to making mellow sake is the pure well water that bubbles up from the well.

The sake's name "Tsunekigen" comes from a poem written by the fourth generation head of the family when he was celebrating a good harvest: "Yaegikuya (eight-layered chrysanthemum), sake is just right, Tsunekigen.
The water that has been passed down from generation to generation and used with great care is from the "Hakusui Well," a well that has been springing up near the brewery for a long time. The water is soft and smooth, coming from the Hakusan Mountains, and is indispensable for brewing flavorful sake. The brewery grows its own sake rice using locally produced Yamada-Nishiki.

Kano Sake Brewery

• Yokaichi-cho, Kaga, Ishikawa MAP
• Approximately 6 minutes by car from JR Kaga Onsen Station
• From JR Kaga Onsen Station, take the Kaga Onsen Bus bound for Katayamazu Hot Spring (approx. 30 min.). 10-minute walk from Tomizuka Bus Stop.
• 8:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00
• Sunday, Holidays
• 0761-74-1551
• Free of charge

3
Noguchi Naohiko Institute

Masterful sake brewed by Japan's top toji (master brewer) with his soul.

Mr. Naohiko Noguchi, the "God of Sake," began his apprenticeship at the age of 16 and has long served as toji (master brewer) at Kikuhime Limited Partnership and Shikano Sake Brewery, and in 2006 he was awarded "Contemporary Master Craftsman" by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
The modern institute was established in Komatsu City in 2017 with Mr. Noriguchi as the toji to pass on sake brewing to future generations. At the sales space at the entrance of the building, visitors can purchase fruity and crisp honjozo, junmai sake made from rice grown by farmers near the brewery, the "yamahai" series made with Yamahai brewing, and daiginjo, whose delicate flavor is compared to a work of art.

Discover a new taste of sake at Toan, a sake tasting space.

The "Toan" room, which has a 4.5-mat size counter like a tea ceremony room, was built in honor of Komatsu City's connection with the Urasenke school of tea ceremony. Here, visitors can experience a sake tasting course called "Shuji" by reservation only. In this dignified space, you can enjoy sipping on locally produced fermented food while comparing the best of Mr. Noriguchi's sake. If you are lucky, you may even meet Mr. Noriguchi here.
Only those who make reservations for the "Sake Event" are allowed to enter the gallery, which features an exhibition that offers a glimpse of Toji Noguchi's sake-making spirit and a glass-view of the inside of the brewery, which is fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.

▶Click here for a detailed article on the "Naohiko Noguchi Institute".

Naohiko Noguchi Institute

• 1-1 Wa, Kannonshita-cho, Komatsu-shi, Ishikawa MAP
• Approx. 30 min. by car from JR Komatsu Sta.
• 10:00-16:00
• Year-end and New Year holidays, Bon holidays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for Toan
• Sake events from 4,500 yen, non-alcoholic course for drivers 2,000 yen also available
• Free of charge
• Sake-tasting 3 times a day at 11:00/13:00/15:00, capacity of 8 people. Reservations required (membership registration required via website).

4
Fukumitsuya

Junmai Brewery, which focuses on "junmai zukuri" to express the true flavor of sake.

The sake brewery was founded in 1625 in Kanazawa City. The brewery places the utmost importance on water, rice, and the power of nature, including the microorganisms that brew sake. The water comes from the clear subterranean waters of Mount Hakusan, a sacred mountain that gushes 150 meters below the brewery. Sake rice is grown under contract with farmers in Hyogo Prefecture for "Yamadanishiki" and "Fukunohana," as well as "Kinmonn Nishiki" and "Gohyakumangoku" in areas suitable for their cultivation. All sake is brewed with junmai (pure rice), and the flavor of the rice is fully utilized to create a "tasty and light" sake.
Kaga Tobi," created in 1992, was named after a feudal lord's fire extinguisher in the Edo period (1603-1868). It is an attractive sake with a dry and crisp taste.

A variety of Experience courses including brewery tours and premium sake tasting

From November to March, the "Inside the Brewery Course" takes visitors on a tour of the brewery to observe the actual junmai brewing process up close and personal, and to sample some of the brewery's products. Visitors can also learn about the brewery's history and commitment to excellence. The "Premium Sake Tasting Course," which allows visitors to view a video of the brewing process and sample rare, long-aged sake that is only available in limited quantities, is an experience available throughout the year. Visitors can compare popular brands and enjoy them according to their tastes and travel plans.

Fukumitsuya

• 2-8-3 Ishibiki, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• From JR Kanazawa Station East Exit, take the Hokutetsu Bus bound for Tobu Shako or other direction (approx. 20 min.). 1 min. walk from Odatsuno Bus Stop.
• 10:00-18:00
• Open all year round, but closed during the year-end and New Year holidays.
• Sake tasting course: 3,300 yen (available only on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from November to March *Not available on national holidays)
  Sake tasting premium course: 3,300 yen (held daily, frequency varies depending on the season)
• 076-223-1161 (weekdays) 076-223-1117 (Saturdays, Sundays, holidays)
• Free of charge
• For details of Experience, please check the website.

5
Shata Brewery

Golden-colored sake, brewed by skilled craftsmen who spare no pains to make it, to suit the tastes of Hokuriku.

The sake brewery stands in the middle of rice paddies overlooking Mt. The brewery was founded in 1823, and the current owner is the eighth generation. Even now, at the end of autumn, kurabito (brewers) from Noto come to the brewery to work and brew sake in the Noto style. The base of the brewery is the "Tengumai" style of Yamahai brewing, which was established in the 1950s by Nakasaburo, a master brewer who was also known as the "Four Heavenly Kings of Noto Toji" (Toji). The sake is brewed using koji with strong enzymatic power and a long-cultivated yamahai yeast, which is allowed to mature slowly, resulting in a golden-brown sake. Yamahai-shikko-junmai-shu is made mainly from "Gohyakumangoku" rice grown by farmers in the brewery's vicinity.

Blessed with mineral-rich water suitable for sake brewing

The water used for sake brewing is drawn from a deep underground vein of subterranean water from Hakusan (Mt. Hakusan). It has almost no iron content and contains just the right amount of minerals for sake brewing.
At the direct sales space at the entrance of the main building, visitors can purchase the "Gorin" series, which is sold only at the brewery and some limited stores. Other products sold include "shu re," a new brand born from sake brewing technology. In addition to "special junmai sake," the brand also offers "beauty moisturizing cream," which contains plenty of highly moisturizing ingredients and is especially recommended for women.

Shata Sake Brewery

• 60-1 Bomaru-cho, Hakusan-shi, Ishikawa MAP
• 10 min. drive from JR Matto Station
• 10:00-16:00
• Closed on Sundays, national holidays, and irregular Saturdays
• 076-275-1165
• Free of charge

6
Yoshida Sake Brewery

Sake brewing that is attracting attention from around the world, taking advantage of the blessed climate and natural features of the region

Blessed with high quality sake rice and melted snow water from Mt. Hakusan, the brewery is located in a fertile land that was once called a "sake brewing village," and its wide range of flavors are appealing, from the Yamahai-brewed sake that has evolved since its establishment in 1870 to the old sake that the former president started brewing for fun.
In the direct sales space facing the courtyard, visitors can compare various types of sake until they are satisfied.
The brewery was the setting for the documentary film "THE BIRTH OF SAKE," a Japan-U.S. co-production that followed the brewery's brewers.

Growing rice together with local farmers, a new line of sake that focuses on the benefits of nature is also popular.

The "Yoshida Kura" line of sake breweries, with a focus on going back to the basics, worked with local farmers, starting from rice cultivation. The cool climate and abundant water from the Hakusan Mountains, the rice grown with that water, and the farmers who protect the rice fields. Yoshida Kura" expresses the power of the blessed environment and people, and all of them are characterized by their fresh taste. The name of the "u" series also means "gentle," and its low alcohol content is gentle on the body and mild on the palate. Both are sold only at the brewery and some limited stores. In addition to sake, original goods such as cups and glasses are also recommended as souvenirs.

Yoshida Sake Brewery

• 41, Yasuyoshi-cho, Hakusan-shi, Ishikawa MAP
• 10 min. drive from JR Matto Station
• 8:00-17:00
• No holidays
• 076-276-3311
• Free of charge

7
Kikuhime

A premium sake brewer that continues to brew flavorful matured sake

Hakusan Hime Shrine, the main shrine of Mt. Hakusan, has been crowded with visitors since ancient times. The brewery has won a total of 24 gold medals at the National Sake Competition. The sake is not mass-produced, but is slowly aged for 1 year, 5 years, or even 10 years depending on the product.
For first-time drinkers, we recommend the "Kikuhime Ginjo," a sake limited to the Hokuriku region. It is a bottle that can be enjoyed unpretentiously with its clear flavor and lack of cloying taste. Junmai-shu "Tsurunori" is a sake exclusively sold by Kikuhime Kai throughout Japan. You can enjoy the acidity and flavor typical of Yamahai brewing.

Sake brewing with a core of timelessness for more than 400 years since its establishment

It is said that the sake produced in this district was once praised as "Kaga's chrysanthemum sake" and that Hideyoshi Toyotomi ordered it for his cherry blossom viewing sake. The brewery Kikuhime was founded during the Tensho period (1573-1592). Kikuhime is very particular about the rice used to make its sake, and uses high-quality rice produced in Yoshikawa-cho, Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture, which is designated as a special A district among the best sake rice, Yamada-Nishiki, for its ginjo and junmai sake. The brewery continues to brew sake that is not influenced by trends and fads, while actively incorporating advanced technology, such as appointing people with science backgrounds as "Sake Meisters".

Kikuhime

• T8, Tsurugi Shinmachi, Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• 13 min. walk from Hokuriku Railway Tsurugi Station
• 8:00-17:00
• Sunday
• 076-272-1234
• Free of charge

8
Matsuura Sake Brewery

Shishi-no-Sato, a beautiful sake made with naturally flavored yeast

Located in the center of Yamanaka hot spring, it is a perfect place to visit during sightseeing or while touring the hot springs. All of the sake at Lion's Village is junmai (pure rice) brewed, and the brewing water is ultra-soft water that comes from the grounds of Iioji Temple on a hill. The water absorption time is adjusted by the second depending on the type of rice, and a "bubbly yeast" is used to preserve the natural flavor of the sake.
We have also pioneered the appeal of new types of sake, and since 1997, we have been producing sake with a fine bubbly taste. With its fine bubbles and fresh aroma, "SEN" is suitable for toasting sake and is sold only at the brewery and some limited stores.

A spacious store where you can enjoy sake tasting, soft ice cream, and amazake (sweet sake).

The company was founded in 1772. The store was built in 2004 in the image of a "sake brewery. Visitors can purchase a variety of "Shishi-no-Sato" sake, and at the "Kikisake Tasting Room" they can compare the sake recommended by the master of the brewery, which changes monthly. The "Sake Kasu Soft Ice Cream," developed by the owner with the help of a French chef, is heat-treated and alcohol-free, so drivers and children can enjoy it as well.

Matsuura Sake Brewery

• Yamanaka Onsen Honmachi 2-chome, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• 20 minutes by car from JR Kaga Onsen Station
• From Kaga Onsen Hot Spring Station, take the Kaga Shuyu Bus
  Canvas Yamawari Line → 19 Yamanaka Hot Spring About 50m from Kikunoyu/ Yamanakaza bus stop
• 9:00-18:00 (shortened hours on Jan. 1-3)
• Wednesday
• 0761-78-1125
• Free of charge