1Yachiya Sake Brewery

A long-established store that has been producing sake to present to the lord of Kaga for over 430 years

This sake brewery has a history of over 430 years, dating back to 1583 (Tensho 11), when the brewery moved from Owari to Kanazawa to make sake for Maeda Toshiie. In 1628 (Kan'ei 5), the brewery was given the name "Yachiya" (known as Taniuchiya at the time) and the brand name "Kaga Tsuru," a combination of the place name "Kaga" and the auspicious character for a crane, by the third feudal lord.
The most popular is the special pure rice sake "Maeda Toshiie-ko," named after the founder of the Kaga domain. It is made from 60% polished rice, and has a gentle rice aroma that lingers on the palate. It can be enjoyed either chilled or warm, making it the perfect drink to accompany a meal.

Tour a sake brewery built over 250 years ago

The rice used for the sake brewing is high-quality "Gohyakumangoku" and "Ishikawamon" grown by 15 local contracted farmers in the mountains, where there is a large difference in temperature between day and night. The water used is pure underground water from the Iozan water system, and the sake is brewed by a group of Noto Toji (master brewers) and kurabito (brewery workers) who come from Noto to earn money.
At the back of the main building, which is registered as a tangible cultural property by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, there is a maze of brewery buildings built 250 years ago. If you apply for a "brewery tour," you can see inside the building while the brewery Staff/staff member explains the manufacturing process, and you can also enjoy tasting the sake.

Yachiya Sake Brewery

• http://www.yachiya-sake.co.jp/
• 8-32 Ohimachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• 10 minutes by taxi from JR Kanazawa Station
• 10:00～12:00、13:00～16:00
• Sundays (open on Sundays if Monday is a public holiday, closed on Mondays), New Year's holidays
• Brewery tour: 1,500 yen (discount available when purchasing sake at the shop)
• 076-252-7077
• free
• Brewery tours are held twice a day, from 13:30 and 15:00 (40 minutes each). Advance reservations are required by phone during business hours.

2Kano Sake Brewery

The lineup includes 11 varieties of sake, with a focus on mellow Yamahai brewing.

This sake brewery is located about eight minutes east by car from hot spring Station, in a rural area with a distant view of the sacred mountain, Mt. Hakusan. It was founded in 1819 (Bunsei 2), and the current head of the family is the seventh generation. Their sake, "Tokikigen," is often seen in liquor stores and restaurants throughout the Hokuriku region, including Kanazawa, and is popular for bringing out the flavor of seafood. Among their wide variety of sakes, the daiginjo "Nyo" and "Tsune" are secretly sold only at the brewery and a select few stores. "Nyo," made using the Yamahai method, is bottled and aged at low temperatures for five years, giving it a concentrated flavor. "Tsune" is made using a quick brewing method, giving it a crisp, fruity taste that goes down easy.

The key to brewing smooth sake is the clear, spring water from a well

The name of the sake "Toki-kigen" comes from a poem that the fourth generation head of the family wrote while celebrating a good harvest: "The double chrysanthemums and the sake are just right, Toki-kigen."
The water from the "Shirasu no Ido" well, which has been flowing since ancient times and is located right next to the brewery, has been handed down for generations and is used with great care. The soft water, which flows from Mt. Hakusan and is easy to drink, is essential for brewing flavorful sake. The brewery is particular about using the locally grown "Yamada Nishiki" rice, which it also grows in-house.

Kano Sake Brewery

• http://www.jokigen.co.jp/
• Ishikawa Prefecture Kaga City Yokaichicho I 6 MAP
• JR加賀温泉駅から車で約6分
• From JR hot spring Station, take hot spring Bus bound for hot spring for about 30 minutes, get off at "Tomizuka" and walk for about 10 minutes
• 8:00～12:00、13:00～17:00
• Sundays and holidays
• 0761-74-1551
• free

3Noguchi Takahiko Research Institute

Fine sake brewed with the utmost care by Japan's finest master brewers

Noguchi Naohiko, also known as the "God of Sake," is a master brewer. He began his training at the age of 16 and has a long history of working as a master brewer at Kikuhime Limited Partnership Company and Shikano Sake Brewery. In 2006, he was recognized by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare as a "Contemporary Master Craftsman."
With Noguchi as the head brewer, a modern research facility was established in Komatsu City in 2017 to pass on the art of sake brewing to future generations. In the sales space at the entrance to the building, you can purchase fruity and refreshing honjozo sake, junmai sake made with rice grown by farmers near the brewery, the Yamahai series, and daiginjo sake, the delicate flavor of which has been likened to a work of art.

Discover new charms of sake at the sake tasting space "Touan"

"Toan" is a room with a counter the size of a four-and-a-half-tatami mat tea room, built in honor of Komatsu City's connection to the Urasenke school of tea ceremony. Here, you can Experience a sake tasting course called "Shuji" by reservation only. In a dignified space, you can enjoy tasting and comparing Noguchi's best sakes while nibbling on locally produced fermented foods. If you're lucky, you might even get to meet Noguchi the master brewer here.
Only those who make a reservation for "Sakaji" can enter the gallery, where you can see the exhibits that give a glimpse into the sake-brewing spirit of the Noguchi Toji brewers, and the inside of the sake brewery, which is equipped with the latest facilities, through glass.

▶ Click here for more information on the "Noguchi Naohiko Research Institute"

Noguchi Naohiko Research Institute

• https://noguchi-naohiko.co.jp/
• Ishikawa Prefecture Komatsu City Kannon Shitamachi Wa 1-1 MAP
• Approximately 30 minutes by car from JR Komatsu Station
• 10:00～16:00
• New Year's holiday, Obon, Morian closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays
• Alcoholic drinks start at 4,500 yen, and there is also a non-alcoholic course for drivers for 2,000 yen.
• free
• Drinking: Three times a day at 11:00/13:00/15:00, 8 people capacity. Reservation required (membership registration required on the website)

4Fukumitsuya

A Junmai brewery that focuses on "Junmai brewing" to express the original flavor of sake

This sake brewery is located in Kanazawa City and was founded in 1625 (Kan'ei 2). Above all, they value the power of nature, such as water, rice, and the microorganisms that brew sake. The water is pure underground water from the sacred mountain of Mt. Hakusan, which springs from 150 meters directly below the brewery. They work with farmers in Hyogo Prefecture to grow "Yamada Nishiki" and "Fukunohana", as well as "Kinmon Nishiki" and "Gohyakumangoku" under contract in areas suitable for the sake rice they use. All of their sake is brewed using the pure rice method, resulting in "delicious and light" sake that makes full use of the flavor of the rice.
"Kaga Tobi" was created in 1992 and was named after the feudal lord firemen of the Edo period. It is a dry sake with a sharp taste.

A wide range of Experience courses are available, including tours of breweries and tastings of high-quality sake

From November to March, the "Inside the Brewery Course" is held, where you can tour the brewery and see the actual junmai brewing process up close, as well as sample the sake. You can also learn about the history and commitment of the brewery. In addition, the "Sake Tasting Premium Course" is Experience all year round, where you can watch a video about sake brewing and sample rare, long-aged sake that is released in limited quantities from the brewery. You can casually compare popular brands and enjoy it according to your preferences and travel plans.

Fukumitsuya

• https://www.fukumitsuya.co.jp/
• 2-8-3 Ishibiki, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• From the East Exit of JR Kanazawa Station, take a Hokutetsu Bus bound for Tobu Shako or other bus for about 20 minutes, get off at "Kodatsuno" and walk for about 1 minute
• 10:00～18:00
• Open everyday, closed during New Year holidays
• Kurauchi Course: 3,300 yen (only available on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from November to March *Excluding public holidays)
  Sake tasting premium course: 3,300 yen (held every day, number of sessions varies depending on the season)
• 076-223-1161（平日） 076-223-1117（土・日曜、祝日）
• free
• Please check the website for details of Experience

5Shata Sake Brewery

A golden-colored sake that matches the taste of the Hokuriku region, brewed with great care by skilled craftsmen.

This sake brewery stands in the middle of rice paddies overlooking Mt. Hakusan. It was founded in 1823 (Bunsei 6), and the current owner is the eighth generation. Even now, brewers come from Noto to work at the end of autumn and make sake in the Noto style. It is based on the "Tengumai" style of Yamahai brewing, which was established in the 1970s by Nakasaburo, a famous brewer who was also known as one of the four great master brewers of Noto. It is made using koji with strong enzyme power and a Yamahai moto that has been grown over a long period of time, and is then slowly aged, resulting in a golden, shining sake. "Yamahai brewing Junmai sake" is made mainly using "Gohyakumangoku" rice grown by farmers around the brewery.

A brewery blessed with mineral-rich water ideal for sake brewing

The water used in sake brewing is pumped up from deep underground veins of Mt. Hakusan. It contains almost no iron and just the right amount of minerals for sake brewing.
In the direct sales space at the entrance to the main building, you can purchase the "Gorin" series, which is only sold at the brewery and some limited stores. They also sell "shu re," a new brand born from sake brewing techniques. In addition to "special pure rice sake," they also sell "beauty moisturizing cream" that is packed with highly moisturizing ingredients and is especially recommended for women.

Shata Sake Brewery

• http://www.tengumai.co.jp/
• 60-1 Bomarucho, Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Matto Station
• 10:00～16:00
• Closed on Sundays, public holidays, and irregular Saturdays
• 076-275-1165
• free

6Yoshida Sake Brewery

Taking advantage of the region's favorable climate and natural features, sake brewing is attracting attention from around the world

Blessed with high-quality sake rice and meltwater from the sacred mountain Mt. Hakusan, this brewery is located in fertile land that was once known as the "village of sake brewing." Since its founding in 1870 (Meiji 3), the brewery has an appealing range of flavors, from sake made using Yamahai brewing techniques that have been passed down and evolved, to aged sake that the previous president began making for fun.
In the direct sales space facing the courtyard, you can try different types until you find the one you're satisfied with.
This sake brewery was the setting for "THE BIRTH OF SAKE," a Japanese-American documentary film that follows the lives of brewers. At the back of the direct sales area, there is a gallery that displays scenes from the filming, which you can also visit.

The new line, which grows rice together with local farmers and focuses on the blessings of nature, is also popular.

The Yoshidakura line is a return to basics, created in collaboration with local farmers, starting with rice cultivation. The cool climate and abundant water from Mt. Hakusan, the rice grown with that water, and the farmers who protect the fields. Expressing the blessed environment and the strength of the people, all of the Yoshidakura sakes are characterized by their fresh taste. The name of the "u" series also means "gentle," and the sake has a low alcohol content that is gentle on the body and has a mild taste. Both are sold only at the brewery and in select stores. In addition to sake, original goods such as sake cups and glasses are also recommended as souvenirs.

Yoshida Sake Brewery

• http://tedorigawa.com/
• 41 Yasuyoshicho, Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 10 minutes by car from JR Matto Station
• 8:00～17:00
• Open daily
• 076-276-3311
• free

7Princess Kiku

A premium sake manufacturer that continues to brew delicious, matured sake

This old-fashioned sake brewery is located along Tsurugi Kaido, which has long been bustling with pilgrims to Hakusan Hime Shrine, the main shrine of the sacred mountain Hakusan. This is a skilled brewery that has won the gold medal at the National Sake Tasting Competition a total of 24 times. They do not mass-produce their sake, but rather carefully age it for one, five, or even ten years.
For first-time drinkers, we recommend "Kikuhime Ginjo," a sake available only in the Hokuriku region. It has a clear flavor without any unpleasant taste and is a simple drink to enjoy. "Tsurunosato," a pure rice sake, is sold exclusively by the Kikuhime Association nationwide. You can enjoy the acidity and umami that are characteristic of the Yamahai method.

Established over 400 years ago, sake brewing with a core that remains timeless

The sake produced in this area was once praised as "Kikuzake of Kaga," and it is said that Toyotomi Hideyoshi ordered it for cherry blossom viewing. The sake brewery "Kikuhime" was founded around this time, during the Tensho era (1573-1592). They are very particular about the sake rice they use, and for their ginjo and junmai sake, they use high-quality rice from Yoshikawa-cho, Miki City, Hyogo Prefecture, which is a special A designated area, even among "Yamada Nishiki," which is said to be the best sake rice. The brewery actively incorporates advanced technology, such as appointing people with science backgrounds as "sake masters," and continues to make sake that is not influenced by the trends of the world.

Princess Kiku

• https://www.kikuhime.co.jp/
• Ishikawa Prefecture, Hakusan City, Tsurugi Shinmachi Ta 8 MAP
• About 13 minutes walk from Tsurugi Station on the Hokuriku Railroad
• 8:00～17:00
• Sunday
• 076-272-1234
• free

8Matsuura Sake Brewery

"Shishi no Sato" is a delicious sake made with natural yeast flavor.

Located in the heart of Yamanaka hot spring, it is a perfect place to visit while sightseeing or visiting hot springs. All of the sake at "Lion Village" is brewed with junmai, and the brewing water is ultra-soft water that springs from the precincts of "Iouji" on a hill. A unique style of sake brewing that incorporates traditional manufacturing methods, such as adjusting the water absorption time in seconds depending on the rice type and using "yeast with foam" that does not miss the natural flavor.
We have also pioneered the appeal of new sake, and since 1997 we have been producing slightly sparkling Japan sake. "Fresh", which is suitable for toasting sake with its fine bubbles and fresh aroma, is sold only at the brewery and some limited stores.

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

Founded in 1772 (the first year of the An'ei era), the store was remodeled in 2004 with the image of a sake brewery. You can purchase a variety of Shishi no Sato sakes, and at the sake tasting area you can compare the owner's recommended sakes, which change monthly. The owner, who learned from a French chef, developed sake lees soft serve ice cream, saying, "We want Guest/customer who can't drink alcohol to come too." The alcohol-free, heat-treated ice cream can be enjoyed by drivers and children.

Matsuura Sake Brewery

• https://shishinosato.com/
• Ishikawa Prefecture, Kaga City, Yamanaka hot spring Honmachi 2-chome MAP
• 20 minutes by car from JR hot spring Station
• From hot spring Station, take the Kaga Sightseeing Bus
  Canvas Yamamawari Line → 19 Yamanaka hot spring Kikunoyu・Yamanakaza bus stop, about 50m away
• 9:00-18:00 (Shortened hours from January 1st to 3rd)
• Wednesday
• 0761-78-1125
• free