In recent years, Japanese sake has been gaining popularity worldwide and attracting growing attention. From dry to sweet, with a wide range of flavors and aromas, its variety continues to captivate fans. Even if people are interested, many may not know in detail how sake is made. In fact, there are several sake breweries in Tokyo where high-quality sake is produced. This time, a writer who’s a devoted sake lover visited a sake brewery in Tokyo, learning firsthand about the brewing process and the craftsmanship behind making high-quality sake.

What is Japanese sake?

How a sake brewery works

Sake brewery tour report: Ozawa Brewery

The lush natural beauty of Ome City in western Tokyo is home to the Ozawa Brewery, one of the oldest of its kind in Tokyo, with a history of over 300 years. Since time immemorial, sake production has made the most of this region's natural advantages, including its clean, pure water. Ozawa Brewery’s signature label, “Sawanoi,” has won awards at international sake competitions and is drawing international attention. For this article, I joined a tour here which includes an explanation of the sake-brewing process and a guided walk through the site. English pamphlets are also available for the recently growing numbers of international participants. Tours are available only by reservation through the Ozawa Brewery website, and the fee of 700 yen (including tasting) is paid on-site (cash or PayPay). Visitors also receive an original Ozawa Brewery “o-choco” (sake cup).
Upon arriving at the brewery, a large cedar-sphere hanging at the entrance catches our eye. Called “sugidama,” this is a sign that the year’s new sake is ready. Entering the brewery, a magnificent Shinto altar gives a real sense of the connection between sake and sacred ceremonies. It seems the artisans pay respects to this altar every morning before starting work.

As we exited the brewery building, we came across a well tucked away in a cave-like recess on the grounds. This well water is actually used to brew sake here. Another well a little further away, in a mountain recess, allows the brewery to choose from two types of water with different qualities to best suit the type of sake being made. Ozawa Brewery’s trademark is a river crab, said to be inspired by the idea that river crabs live only in clean water. You can sense the brewery’s focus on water, having brewed sake for over 300 years in a land blessed with good water.

After the tour, at last, the much-anticipated sake-tasting. Drinking this sake, with a deeper understanding of the painstaking dedication of the people who made it, was an exceptional experience!
https://www.sawanoi-sake.com/en/

Discover another Tokyo brewery: Ishikawa Brewery

Among the other sake breweries in Tokyo, another to take note of is Ishikawa Brewery in Fussa City, also in the western part of Tokyo. This historic establishment also dates back to the Edo period. English-language brewery tours are available by advance reservation for a fee of 3,000 yen.
You can also take a self-guided stroll free of charge, with no reservation required. As you walk around, you can enjoy the historic atmosphere of the brewery grounds, which includes six buildings on the premises designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan.
In addition to Ishikawa Brewery’s signature sake, “Tamajiman,” they also produce beer. At the on-site restaurant, you can enjoy both sake and beer.
https://www.tamajiman.co.jp/en/

Other breweries in Tokyo that offer tours include:

[L]Toshimaya Brewery (Higashimurayama City)
http://www.toshimayasyuzou.co.jp/(Japanese site only)
[R]Tamura Brewery (Fussa City)
https://www.seishu-kasen.com/en

Editor’s Note

The popularity of sake is growing worldwide. This tour reminded me once again that sake is the culmination of artisanal skill and each brewery’s dedication. Of course, you can enjoy sake by drinking it, but there are many other ways to enjoy the world of sake as a hobby, from visiting sake breweries to collecting sake vessels. There are many different types of vessels for drinking sake, and it is often said that the enjoyment of sake changes depending on the material and shape.

• Earthenware (pottery): Said to soften the taste of sake, making it easy to pair with many types. Versatile for both warm sake and chilled sake.
• Porcelain: Thinner than pottery, with a smooth texture and a pleasantly cool feel.
• Tin: Said to remove harsh notes and make the flavor smoother and mellower.
• Glass: Lets you enjoy the sake’s flavor as it is, and pairs especially well with aromatic chilled sake. Glass sake vessels made with Edo Kiriko, a traditional craft of Tokyo, are also popular.

There is also a wide variety of shapes and designs, and some izakaya even let you choose your favorite sake cup—one more part of the experience.

Tokyo-based sake brands like the one I visited are also energizing the industry. When you visit Tokyo, take the opportunity to delve deeper into the world of sake!