Guide to 7 recommended sake breweries in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture that produce wine and sake
Matsumoto is known for its abundance of spring water from the Utsukushi-ga-hara Plateau, making it a city of great water. The area is blessed with a brewing environment, with a cool, sunny climate and soil suitable for growing wine grapes. Here we introduce some of Matsumoto's award-winning sake breweries, wineries, and brewery-operated taprooms.
＜Recommended Sake Breweries in Matsumoto
1Yamabe Winery
Made exclusively from grapes grown in Matsumoto flatland.
Located about 20 minutes by car from Matsumoto Station, Yamabe Winery makes wine using only grapes grown in Matsumoto, both on its own farm and under contract with farmers in Matsumoto. In order to bring out the individuality and flavor of the grapes, the winery does not blend grapes, but instead uses single varieties to produce and sell wines that are labeled with the name of the grape variety. Many people are attracted by their highly acclaimed wines, including wines that have won awards at the Japan Wine Competition for six consecutive years and wines that have received orders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
There are 11 varieties of grapes used in the wines. About 47 products are available according to vintage, and you can taste the wines at the store, so you can choose the wine of your choice.
Grapes also grown on our own farm
The Yamanobe area at the foot of the Utsukushi-ga-hara Plateau, 600 to 850 meters above sea level, is considered the birthplace of Nagano grape cultivation. The long hours of sunlight and the temperature difference between day and night make it known as a high-quality Shinshu grape growing area, and the cool climate is also suitable for growing wine-making varieties. The company's own farm is 1.2 hectares in size and grows Cabernet Sauvignon as well as Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Merlot and Pinot Noir are also being planted, and full-bodied wines will be available in a few years.
Next to the winery, there is a popular restaurant where visitors can enjoy a marriage of wine and a produce stand.
- Yamanobe Winery
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1315-2 Iriyamabe, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
20 minutes drive from JR Matsumoto Station, 5 minutes drive from Utsukushigahara hot spring
8:30-17:00
0263-32-3644
Free of charge
2Nodaya (directly owned by Alps Co., Ltd.)
Award-winning wines and organic wines are popular
Kikyogahara in Shiojiri City, which stretches to the south of Matsumoto Plain, is a representative wine-growing region in Nagano Prefecture, which is ideal for growing grapes for wine.
Kikyogahara, with its abundant sunshine and large temperature differences during the harvest season, has volcanic ash soil that drains well, making it ideal for growing high quality grapes. In our own vineyards, we grow more than 10 varieties of European grapes such as Merlot and Chardonnay. We also contract with American farmers to produce organic grapes, which is difficult to produce in Japan due to the high temperature and humidity, and our organic wine and organic juice are also well received.
Night Harvest, which is harvested before dawn to seal in the aroma, and the "Musée du Vin" series, which has won numerous awards at wine competitions, are the winery's prized brands.
Directly managed store in Shiojiri Station where tastings are available
Ltd. on the first floor of the JR Shiojiri Station Building, Nodaya offers a lineup of wines and juices, which can be tasted. The store also carries Shinshu souvenirs, so feel free to stop by for a purchase.
- Nodaya (directly managed by Alps Co., Ltd.)
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- Nodaya 9-1 Daimon Hachiban-cho, Shiojiri-shi, Nagano MAP
- Nodaya Shiojiri Station East Exit 1F
Head office Take the Shiojiri City Community Sutep-kun bus bound for Ono Station from Shiojiri Station, and get off at the Muro-machi stop. 4 min. walk from the stop.- 10:00-19:30
No holidays- Nodaya 0263-53-8204
Head office 0263-52-1150 - Free of charge (30 min.)
3Goichi Wine
Long-established winery with farm tours and wine tasting
Kikyogahara, known as a grape growing area, is a hilly area in Shiojiri, Shinshu, stretching 700 m above sea level. The winery has a history of more than 100 years as a farm.
Starting as a farmer, Hayashi Farm's motto is "good wine comes from good grape growing" in order to utilize the nature of Kikyogahara for its taste and aroma, and the winery has been making efforts to improve its vineyards and research cultivation methods, winning many prestigious awards at international wine competitions.
Grapes dedicated to wine are grown mainly on the company's own farm next to the head office. The factory is not open for tours, but the company's own farm can be visited at any time. Ten tastings are always available so that you can purchase the wine that best suits your sensibilities.
The only winery in Shiojiri Prefecture to offer rare noble rot wines
Goichi Wine's "noble rot" is a rare wine produced from "noble rot" grapes, a naturally occurring fungus that was discovered in 1933 and the result of a trial-and-error approach to harvest timing and fermentation methods. The noble rot grapes are selected one by one, squeezed using a special press, and matured for two years. The wine has a high sugar content and a unique, rich flavor. Goichi Wine is the only company in the prefecture that continues to take on the challenge of producing noble rot wine.
- Goichi Wine
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- 1298-170 Soga, Shiojiri-shi, Nagano MAP
- From JR Shiojiri Station, take the Shiojiri-shi Community Sutteppu-kun bus bound for "Kikyogahara Byoin-mae" and get off at "Winery-mae" stop. 2 min. walk.
- Store: Year-end and New Year holidays (Office: Sat., Sun., National holidays, Year-end and New Year holidays, Obon)
- Store 0263-52-7911 (Office 0263-52-0059)
- Free of charge
4Zenya (Good Kana Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.)
Historic sake brewery that has been brewing since the end of the Edo period
While many of Matsumoto's breweries have disappeared, Zenya Brewery is the only brewery that continues to brew and sell its products in Matsumoto Castle. Since its establishment at the end of the Edo period (1603-1867), the brewery has been using "Metoba no Izumi," a famous spring water that gushes out from the premises, as its brewing water. It was selected as one of the "100 best waters of the Heisei era" by the Ministry of the Environment, and is one of the 10 "Matsumoto Castle Town Spring Groups" in Matsumoto City.
Since the "Metoba Spring" is springing up in front of the restaurant, it is open to the community, and residents, nearby soba restaurants, and stores use this water. It is said that the mild taste makes tea, coffee, miso soup, etc. delicious.
Two main products are "Zenzai" and "Onna-Toba-no-Izumi
Junmai Ginjo, brewed with "Meotoba no Izumi" water, Miyamanishiki from Nagano Prefecture, and Alps yeast, is fresh and aromatic as it is stored fresh and bottled before shipping. The brewery's toji and brewers put their heart and soul into brewing "Onna-Toba-no-Izumi" and "Zenzai".
You can take a tour of the brewery by making a reservation in advance. The "Hodaka Sake Shop," located next to the brewery, sells all of Zenzai's products, including sake and amazake, and most of the products are available for tasting, making it a popular place for visitors.
- Zeniya Sake Brewery Co.
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- 5-4-24 Ote, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
- From JR Matsumoto Station, take the Matsumoto Shuyu Bus "East Course", get off at "Iori Reisui" or "Yakuzo Shrine", and walk about 5 minutes.
- 8:30-17:00, Hodaka Sake Shop from 9:00
- Sundays, national holidays, year-end and New Year holidays, August 13-16, Hodaka Sake Shop closed on weekends
- 0263-32-0734, Hotaka Sake Shop 0263-32-0013
- Free of charge
5Daishinshu Senpitsu Haradaya
Locally brewed sake made with Nagano rice and natural water from the Northern Alps
Despite the increasing mechanization of sake brewing, Daishinshu continues to insist on making sake by hand. The sake is made from "Hitogokochi" and "Kinmon-Nishiki" sake rice grown in Nagano Prefecture by contract farmers, and with clean, natural water from the Alps, and is characterized by its soft mouthfeel and fine texture. In order to fully capture the mellow aroma and flavor of the rice, most of our sake is not filtered, but bottled immediately and stored in cold storage. The sake is bottled immediately and stored in cold storage to maximize its flavor.
Attractive taste that has won international awards
Haradaya, a dedicated sake shop attached to the Daishinshu headquarters, sells most of the sake produced in Daishinshu. Staff/staff members at the store provide detailed explanations and advice so that you can purchase the perfect sake for the flavor and throat hit you are looking for. It is also possible to sample the sake recommended at any given time, depending on the season.
In addition to sake, the store also offers a large selection of original goods such as front hangings and T-shirts, attracting many Daishinshu fans from within and outside of the prefecture. In addition, the natural water that gushes out of the storefront can be drunk freely, and some people even take it home in containers.
- Daishinshu Sake Brewery Haradaya
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- 2380 Shimadate, Matsumoto, Nagano MAP
- About 10 minutes walk from Shimoshin Station of Matsumoto Electric Railway.
- 10:00-18:00, Saturday, Sunday and national holidays 10:00-17:00
- Obon, Year-end and New Year holidays
- 0263-47-0895
- Free of charge
6Kamedaya Sake Brewery
Matsumoto's representative local sake with a 150-year history
Matsumoto's long-established sake brewer celebrates 150 years in business in 2019. The brand name "Alps Masamune" may be more commonly known throughout Japan. The name of the nearly 100-year-old brand was given by the fourth-generation head of the brewery, who loves mountain climbing, after the mountain range of the Alps. The brewery is located in Matsumoto City.
You can enjoy sake tasting at the store directly connected to the brewery.
Produced sake can be purchased and tasted at the "Sake Yuukan," a store directly connected to the brewery. Tastings are available for a fee, and a choko (cup) that can be taken home is available for 300 yen. Visitors can taste one cup of each of seven different brands of sake, including daiginjo and junmai daiginjo, which are available for tasting.
From spring through fall, when the brewery is closed for brewing, the Property is open for tours. Staff/staff members engaged in the work will carefully guide you through the main building and the brewery, which was built about 130 years ago, while telling you about the sake brewing process.
- Kamedaya Sake Brewery
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- 2748 Shimadate, Matsumoto, Nagano MAP
- Approx. 4 min. walk from Shimoshin Station of Matsumoto Electric Railway
- 9:00-17:00, Saturday and Sunday from 9:30
- 3rd Sunday of every month, Bon Festival, Year-end and New Year holidays
- 0263-47-1320
- Free of charge
Reservations required for tours of the main house and warehouse. No charge for tours.
7Matsumoto Brewery TAP Room Nakamachi
Made in Matsumoto craft beer
The brewery is located in Matsumoto and uses the abundant water from the Alps mountains to brew a beer that is loved by the locals. In pursuit of a taste and flavor unique to Matsumoto, the brewery offers four standard beers, including Matsumoto Traditional Bitter, made with plenty of top-quality malt, and Matsumoto Castle Town, a black beer inspired by Matsumoto Castle in jet black. In addition to these beers, seasonal beers are also available. To achieve a fresher taste, "Fresh Hop Beer" is made with locally grown hops harvested in the morning, and beers made with grapes grown in the prefecture can also be enjoyed.
The taproom is a fun place to exchange information with locals.
The taproom, directly operated by Matsumoto Brewery, is located on Matsumoto's main street, Nakamachi-dori, and offers craft beer directly from the brewery in bottles as well as on draft The first floor consists of standing seating at the counter, while the second floor has tables. As soon as it opens in the afternoon, it attracts not only locals but also foreign tourists, and is a lively place for exchanging information about the city with a beer in hand.
Original goods such as T-shirts and tote bags are also available, and are recommended as souvenirs of your trip to Matsumoto.
- Matsumoto Brewery TAP Room Nakamachi
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- 3-4-21 Chuo, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture MAP
- 12 minutes walk from JR Matsumoto Station
- 13:00-19:00
- Tuesdays
- 0263-31-0081
- None
