🕓 2025/6/7
#Japanese sake
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A trip to Suwa where you can soothe your soul in the historic castle town and savor Suwa’s local sake.
table of contents
- What kind of sake can you enjoy in Suwa?
- Around Suwa“Recommended sake brewery”
- Around Suwa“Recommended Sake Selection”
- Touring Suwa and sake breweriesRu“Model course”
Introduction
Cedar balls from five sake breweries are lined up to break the morning mist rising over Lake Suwa, and the scent of steam and rice beckons travelers. The clear droplets of water nurtured by the clear underground water in the mountains and the sub-zero temperatures blend with the four seasons of the lakeside and the thousand-year-old faith, creating a “Shinshu Suwa time” that can only be experienced here.
In this article, we will provide you with a thorough guide to the sake experience in Suwa that even first-timers can deeply enjoy, from the background of sake brewing where you can feel the breath of the land, to visiting breweries, selecting brands, and model courses.
- 1. What kind of sake can you enjoy in Suwa?
- 2. “Recommended sake breweries” around Suwa
- A hot spring town on the shores of Lake Suwa and the underground water of Kirigamine – visiting breweries in Suwa, Shinshu
- 1. Miyasaka Brewing Co., Ltd. | Innovation brewery where the association’s No. 7 yeast originated
- 2. Reijin Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. Founded in the Kansei era, a machiya brewery where you can also enjoy local beer
- 3. Maihime Co., Ltd.｜Shinkuzo, known for its ginjo pioneer “Suiro”
- 4. Sake Nunoya Honkin Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. | Founded in the late Edo period, unfiltered raw sake shines
- 5. Ito Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. | A storehouse of famous sake “Yokobue” and plum wine that reflects the story
- 3. “Recommended Sake Selection” around Suwa
- 4. “Model course” around Suwa and sake breweries
- ①｜Enjoy Lake Suwa and Gozo! Standard walk & tasting course
- Finally
1. What kind of sake can you enjoy in Suwa?
Shinshu Suwa is nestled in the mountains of Yatsugatake, Kirigamine, and Tateshina. The ultra-soft underground water that springs from a basin at an altitude of approximately 760 meters reaches underground through a natural filter of snow and granite, providing the perfect mineral balance for sake brewing. Furthermore, in the middle of winter, the temperature drops to below -10 degrees Celsius, making long-term fermentation possible at low temperatures. Guided by this climate, we are located within a radius of 500 meters from JR Kamisuwa Station.Dancing Princess, Beautiful Woman, Honkin, Yokobue, Masumi“Suwa Gozo” stands side by side, creating a rare area where you can “walk and go bar hopping.”
1 | Shinshu sake nurtured by the four seasons of Lake Suwa and the underground water of Kirigamine
A 5-minute walk from Kamisuwa, the shores of Lake Suwa are rich in color throughout the four seasons: cherry blossoms in the spring, fireworks in the summer, autumn leaves in the fall, and Mikado (cracked ice) in the winter. Each brewery uses only subterranean water from the Kirigamine Plateau for brewing, producing a wide range of sake qualities from crisp dry to fruity ginjo. After watching the sunset at Tateishi Park overlooking the lake, return to Yunomachi and enjoy a sake-tasting flight, where the clear aftertaste created by the difference in altitude will become even more outstanding.
2 | Walk 500 meters to conquer the Gozos – the “Drink Walking Passport” and the real pleasure of walking around town
At Suwa Gokura, a common tasting ticket called the “Goraku Set” (1,900 yen) is available year-round, allowing you to sample small amounts of 4 to 5 types of sake from each brewery. Furthermore, on the first Saturday of October every year, National Route 20 is turned into a pedestrian paradise and the Kamisuwa Kaido Town Walk and Drink Walk is held, and the area is crowded with gourmet food stalls and local sake. Blessed with hot springs, you can enjoy the luxurious routine of enjoying a glass of cold sake right after taking a bath at Katakurakan, a nationally designated important cultural property.
3 | Home of Association No. 7 Yeast – Fermentation Innovation in Masumi
In 1946, yeast isolated from the moromi of Miyasaka Jozo’s Masumi was distributed nationwide as Kyokai Yeast No. 7, and is still used in about 70% of sake breweries today. The signature series “Masumi Nanago”, “Yamahana”, and “Arabashiri” are characterized by the smooth acidity and soft flavor derived from No. 7. At the Masumi New Sake Festival on November 23rd, freshly squeezed “Arabashiri” barrel sake and local new rice rice balls will be served free of charge, allowing you to experience how fermentation culture is still connected to our daily lives.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| location | Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture (Around Lake Suwa, Kamisuwa Onsen, along Koshu Highway) |
| access | Get off at Kamisuwa Station, 5 minutes walk from Suwa Gozo <Maihime> |
| Main tourist destinations | Lake Suwa, Suwa Taisha Shrine, Kamisuwa Onsen, Tateishi Park, Kirigamine Highland, Katakurakan Senninburo |
| Japanese sake spot | Maihime/Reijin/Honkin/Yokobue/Masumi <Cellar tour/Sake tasting>, Sera Masumi, Suwa Gokura gouraku set, Kamisuwa Kaido drinking event |
| Event information | – Suwa Gokura Sake Brewery Opening (first Saturday of February) – Suwa Lake Festival Lake Fireworks Festival (August 15th, local sake stall) – Kamisuwa Kaido Town Walk Drinking Walk (first Saturday of October) – Masumi New Sake Festival (November 23rd) – Suwa Taisha Onbashira Festival (every 7 years, next April-May 2028) |
2. “Recommended sake breweries” around Suwa
A hot spring town on the shores of Lake Suwa and the underground water of Kirigamine – visiting breweries in Suwa, Shinshu
Suwa City, where the steam of Kamisuwa Onsen and the four seasons of Lake Suwa blend together, is a mecca for sake, blessed with ultra-soft water that has been filtered from the Kirigamine Plateau for hundreds of years and a winter climate that can get cold to below freezing. 500 m radius from JR Kamisuwa StationDancing Princess, Beautiful Woman, Honkin, Yokobue, MasumiThis is a rare area where you can enjoy bar hopping while walking, with many of the “Suwa Gokura” breweries lined up.
1. Miyasaka Brewing Co., Ltd. | Innovation brewery where the association’s No. 7 yeast originated
Exhibitor:https://www.masumi.co.jp
A long-established store brewing “Masumi” named after the sacred mirror of Suwa Taisha Shrine. Kyokai No. 7 yeast, which was born in a brewery founded in 1662, is known as the “yeast that changed the history of Japanese sake” and is still used in sake breweries across the country. Brewery tours are only available once a year during the brewery opening event, but historical exhibits and paid tastings (¥500 for 4 types, shot glass included) are always available at the attached visitor center “Cera Masumi”**. The signature series “Masumi Nanago”, “Yamahana”, and “Arabashiri” are characterized by the soft acidity and flavor derived from No. 7 yeast, and you can experience the high level of perfection as a sake to accompany a meal.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Official name | Miyasaka Brewing Co., Ltd. |
| Founding year | 1662 (Kanbun 2) |
| Main brands | Masumi Nanago NANAGO, Yamaka, Arabashiri, Ukuchi Junmai |
| visit | △ Brewery tours are held once a year when the brewery opens (reservation required)/Visitor center exhibits available |
| Tasting | ○ Paid ¥500 (4 types + shot glasses) / Sake seminar ¥3,500 (irregular) |
| Direct sales office | Sera Masumi (1-16 Motomachi, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture) |
| access | 15 minutes walk from JR Kamisuwa Station / approximately 5 minutes by taxi |
2. Reijin Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. Founded in the Kansei era, a machiya brewery where you can also enjoy local beer
Exhibitor:https://www.reijin.com
Founded in 1789 (first year of the Kansei era), this brewery is one of the oldest in Suwa and has a black wall along the Koshu Highway. In addition to sake brewed using underground water and hot spring water, the shop also brews a local beer called “Suwa Roman”, which is appealing for its versatility. Reservations are required for the brewery tour, but a free guide is included (takes 30 minutes). The Edo-era hatchet carvings still remain on the beams and pillars of the brewery. Tastings start at 300 yen for two types of sake (glass included), and you can also get a glass of local beer for 200 yen. If you’re tired of walking, you can buy some chilled ginjo sake from the brewery’s shop “Jizake Reijin” and enjoy it along with the sunset view on the shores of Lake Suwa.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Official name | Reijin Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. |
| Founding year | 1789 (Kansei 1) |
| Main brands | Reijin, Shinshu Joryo, Junmai Ginjo Series, Craft Beer “Suwa Roman” |
| visit | ○ Free, reservation required (1 week in advance) / Mon-Sat 9:00-18:00, 30 minutes required |
| Tasting | ○ 2 kinds of Japanese sake 300 yen (with glass) / 1 glass of local beer 200 yen |
| Direct sales office | Local Sake Reijin (Shop with brewery) |
| access | 8 minutes walk from JR Kamisuwa Station / about 5 minutes by taxi |
3. Maihime Co., Ltd.｜Shinkuzo, known for its ginjo pioneer “Suiro”
Exhibitor:https://www.maihime.co.jp
Founded in 1872 (current company reorganized in 2014). The flagship of Ginjo brewing, which has a gorgeous flavor from an early stage. “Suiro” and during meals “Shinshu Maihime” This is a storehouse with a pillar of The sake has a clear quality that takes advantage of ultra-soft water and low-temperature, long-term fermentation. Guided tastings (30 minutes, 3 types, ¥300) will be held at the store attached to the brewery, and the koji room and thermal tank will be open to the public during brewery tours that require reservations. Freshly squeezed raw sake with a ginjo aroma goes perfectly with Shinshu salmon and wild vegetable tempura.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Official name | Maihime Co., Ltd. |
| Founding year | 1872 (Meiji 5) (current corporation 2014) |
| Main brands | Suiro, Shinshu Maihime, Takao Tengu |
| visit | ○ Reservation required/Kura guide 45 minutes/twice a day |
| Tasting | ○ 30 minutes 3 types ¥300 / Limited brewery sake available |
| Direct sales office | Maihime Sake Brewery Shop (2-9-25 Suwa, Suwa City) |
| access | 10 minutes walk from JR Kamisuwa Station / Approximately 4 minutes by taxi |
4. Sake Nunoya Honkin Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. | Founded in the late Edo period, unfiltered raw sake shines
Exhibitor:https://honkin.net
Founded in 1756. Focusing on Miyama Nishiki, which is grown by the brewer himself, we strive to create sake that brings out the flavor of the rice through a small process that takes a lot of time and effort. of the signboard “Real money” The series has a strong flavor and sharpness, and the unfiltered raw sake is a popular product that is difficult to obtain even locally. During the brewery tour (reservation required, 30 minutes, free), you can get a close look at the preparation site where the wooden barrels and coal kettles are protected. Paid tastings (2 types, ¥200) are available at the attached shop.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Official name | Sake Nunoya Honkin Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. |
| Founding year | 1756 (Horeki 6) |
| Main brands | Honkin, Taichi, Honkin Unfiltered raw sake |
| visit | ○ Free, reservation required / Mon-Sat 9:30 and 14:00 once each |
| Tasting | ○ 2 types ¥200 / Seasonal sake available |
| Direct sales office | Honkin shop with warehouse |
| access | 8 minutes walk from JR Kamisuwa Station / Approximately 4 minutes by taxi |
5. Ito Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. | A storehouse of famous sake “Yokobue” and plum wine that reflects the story
Exhibitor:https://www.yokobue.co.jp
Established in 1958, this historic school carries on the brand name “Yokobue”, which is associated with the tragic love story in The Tale of the Heike. The sake brewed with Kirigamine underflow water has a light aroma of white flowers and muscat, and a sharp aftertaste. It is also attractive that you can visit it together with the Ito Museum of Modern Art, which is adjacent to the warehouse. At the brewery shop, which is open all year round, in addition to three types of free tastings, you can also enjoy limited edition items made with plum wine and pure rice aged sake for a fee.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Official name | Ito Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. |
| Founding year | 1958 (Showa 33) |
| Main brands | Yokobue, Eight Swords, Plum wine made with pure rice aged sake |
| visit | △ Normally closed to the public (autumn brewery opening only) |
| Tasting | ○ Free 3 types/Plum wine/old sake tasting ¥300~ |
| Direct sales office | Ito Sake Brewery Shop & Ito Museum of Modern Art Shop |
| access | 12 minutes walk from JR Kamisuwa Station / approximately 5 minutes by taxi |
3. “Recommended Sake Selection” around Suwa
Brewed by the underground water of Kirigamine and the four seasons of sacred crossings – the blessings of a brewery on the shores of Lake Suwa
Suwa is a castle town where the steam from Kamisuwa Onsen and the surface of Lake Suwa overlap. The ultra-soft water that has been polished over hundreds of years in the granite layers of Kirigamine Plateau, combined with the climate that gets below freezing in the middle of winter, creates a delicate and full-bodied sake. At this sacred place for “walking sake” where five breweries are lined up within walking distance from JR Kamisuwa Station, we have carefully selected five bottles that can be purchased on a brewery tour or at a specialty store inside the station. We have summarized the taste, preparation, and how to enjoy it. Please pair it with a walk around Lake Suwa or a hot spring tour.
1. Masumi Nanago NANAGO Junmai Daiginjo｜Miyasaka Jozo (Suwa City)
A representative cuvée from the brewery where the association’s No. 7 yeast originated. Yamada Nishiki from our own farm is polished to 45% and fermented at low temperature for a long period of time using Kirigamine underground water and No. 7 yeast. Aromas of white flowers and nectarines, smooth rice flavor, and silky acid create delicate layers, and the finesse stands out when served cold at around 10 degrees Celsius. Goes well with Shinshu salmon seasoned with kelp and Sanzokuyaki with lemon.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai Daiginjo (polished rice 45%) |
| taste | White flower/nectarine aroma/Delicate and soft flavor |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎ / Room temperature ○ |
| Compatible dishes | Shinshu salmon kombujime, Sanzokuyaki, wasabi pickled cheese |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Sera Masumi, Kamisuwa Station Sake Stand, Suwa City Restaurant |
2. Suiro Junmai Daiginjo 39 Yamada Nishiki | Maihime Sake Brewery (Suwa City)
A flagship made with ultra-soft water pumped from 150 meters underground and polished to 39% Yamada Nishiki, the king of sake rice. A glossy aroma reminiscent of pear and white grapes, a smooth texture like habutae mochi, and a transparent minerality on the finish. It’s also great as an appetizer with cold sake, or warmed up with Shinshu beef roast.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai Daiginjo (rice polishing ratio 39%) |
| taste | Pear/white grape aroma/elegant and fresh flavor |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎/Nurukan○ |
| Compatible dishes | Shinshu beef roast, Tateshina Kogen tomato caprese |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Maihimekura Shop, Kamisuwa Onsen Town Bar, Lake Suwa Sightseeing Boat Shop |
3. Reijin Yamahai Junmai “Hijirigake” | Reijin Sake Brewery (Suwa City)
Yamahaijikomi, a traditional black-walled machiya storehouse that dates back to the Edo period. 60% polished Miyama Nishiki rice is raised with natural lactic acid to bring out the strong acidity without suppressing the fermentation heat. It has aromas of cacao, ripe bananas, and sweet chestnuts, and the lingering aftertaste of umami and acidity is excellent. Warm at 45 degrees Celsius, this is a perfect pairing with Kenchinjiru soup made with Shinshu miso or lean horse sashimi.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Yamahai Junmai (milled rice 60%) |
| taste | Cacao/Ripe Banana Aroma/Strong Acid/Umami Flavor |
| How to drink | Lukewarm ◎ / Room temperature ◎ |
| Compatible dishes | Shinshu miso kenchin soup, lean horse sashimi, pickled nozawana |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Reijingura store, Kamisuwa Kaido Kakuuchi, many local izakayas |
4. Honkin Junmai Ginjo Miyama Nishiki Unfiltered raw sake | Sakenunoya Honkin Sake Brewery (Suwa City)
Miyama Nishiki, which is planted and harvested by the brewer himself, is polished to 55% and bottled as unfiltered raw sake. It has a refreshing top note of green apple and melon, a fresh gas feeling, a voluminous rice flavor, and a sharp balance. A light cold drink at 12 degrees Celsius, it pairs perfectly with assorted tempura or Shinshu soba.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai Ginjo (polished rice 55%, unfiltered unprocessed sake) |
| taste | Green apple/melon scent/Fresh and crisp |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎ / Room temperature ○ |
| Compatible dishes | Seasonal wild vegetable tempura, Shinshu soba, hot spring egg |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Honkinakura shop, Kamisuwa Station souvenir shop, online shopping |
5. Yokobue Special Junmai “Kami-Suwa Spring Water Preparation” | Ito Sake Brewery (Suwa City)
Special pure rice made from Miyama Nishiki polished to 59% using ultra-soft water drawn from a private well on the brewery grounds. It features a faint scent of white flowers and muscat, a transparent flavor and a sharp aftertaste. Cold sake goes well with sashimi, and lukewarm sake at 40°C goes well with gohei mochi with miso sauce. The design of the bottle is inspired by the pillar of Suwa Taisha Shrine, and it is also popular as a souvenir.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Special pure rice (polishing ratio 59%) |
| taste | White flower/muscat scent/clear and dry |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎ / Warm sake ◎ |
| Compatible dishes | Shinshu rock fish sashimi, Gohei mochi miso sauce, Nozawana pizza |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Ito Sake Brewery Shop, Suwa Lake Service Area, Suwa City Restaurant |
4. “Model course” around Suwa and sake breweries
Walk through the hot spring town of Kirigamine underground water and steam, and sample local sake from Suwa Gozo.
Suwa, where a castle town and Japanese sake culture coexist, is attractive because it allows you to have a rich experience whether it’s for a half day or a full day. We offer model courses that you can choose from to suit your travel style.
①｜Enjoy Lake Suwa and Gozo! Standard walk & tasting course
🕒 Time required: Approximately 4 – 5 hours ｜ 🧭 Difficulty: ★☆☆ ｜ 🍶 Estimated number of tastings: 2-3 locations
Exhibitor:https://www.masumi.co.jp
A classic half-day plan that allows you to walk around Lake Suwa and the Kamisuwa hot spring town, enjoying the lake view and famous sake at the same time. In the morning, take a walk around Lake Suwa’s promenade and Takashima Castle, then enjoy a local lunch before sampling sake at Miyasaka Brewing Co., Ltd. (Masumi) and Maihime Sake Brewery (Suiro). You can also enjoy footbaths and hot spring steamed buns all in one place.
| time zone | Stop-in spots & experiences |
|---|---|
| 9:30 | JR Kamisuwa Station 0th party at the footbath |
| 10:00 | Lake Suwa promenade walk & Takashima Castle |
| 11:30 | Kamisuwa Onsen Town Shinshu Soba Lunch |
| 12:45 | Sera Masumi〈Paid tasting〉 |
| 13:30 | Tasting at Maihime Sake Brewery Shop |
②｜Deep digging into Suwa + Kirigamine! Spectacular highland views & sake brewery course
🕒 Time required: Approximately 7 – 8 hours ｜ 🧭 Difficulty: ★★☆ ｜ 🍶 Estimated number of tastings: 2 breweries + Kogen Cafe
Exhibitor:https://www.reijin.com
A greedy plan to visit Suwa Gozo and Kirigamine Highlands in one go by rental car or local bus + taxi. Compare the contrasting tastes of Reijin Sake Brewery in Yamahai and Honkin Sake Brewery, which is popular for its unfiltered unprocessed sake, and enjoy the plateau view and seasonal sweets on the shoulder of Mt. Kurumayama in Kirigamine. On the way back, we visited Suwa Taisha Shrine and Shimosha Akimiya, and also looked for souvenirs inside the station.
| time zone | Stop-in spots & experiences |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | JR Kamisuwa Station → Reijin Sake Brewery Shop |
| 10:45 | Honkin Sake Brewery Shop Tasting |
| 12:45 | Lunch & sweets at Plateau Cafe |
| 15:30 | Visiting Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya |
| 16:30 | Compare drinks & souvenirs at the sake stand at Kamisuwa Station |
Finally
Suwa’s sake is perfected by combining the clear taste of Kirigamine’s clear underground water and harsh cold with the four seasons of the lakeside and ancient beliefs. As you walk around Gokura, you will be amazed at the variety of sakes that are hard to believe that are brewed from the same water source, and the after-bath drink and the spectacular view of the plateau will make the aftertaste even more profound.
Whether you’re traveling for half a day or a full day, if you follow the model itinerary as a guide, you’ll be engraved in your five senses with the “Suwa-ness” of hot springs, scenery, food, and local sake. Enjoy an unforgettable sake experience in Suwa that will make you want to visit this place again with your favorite bottle.
