🕓 2025/5/18
#Japanese sake
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Soothe your soul with nature and delight your palate with local sakeKakunodateJourney
table of contents
- What kind of sake can you enjoy in Kakunodate?
- Around the samurai residence in Kakunodate“Recommended sake brewery”
- Around the samurai residence in Kakunodate“Recommended Sake Selection”
- Tour the samurai residences and sake breweries in KakunodateRu“Model course”
Introduction
Kakunodate is known as “Michinoku Little Kyoto” with its blackboard walls and weeping cherry blossoms. In this town, where samurai residences have been around for 400 years, local sake brewed from underground water from the Ou Mountains and Akita rice quietly nestles into the historic landscape.
In this article, we will introduce a model itinerary that takes you through long-established breweries while enjoying the atmosphere of samurai residence street, as well as carefully selected brands that you should definitely pick up in Kakunodate. Why not experience the seasonal scenery of the Hinokinai River embankment and the profound story behind Japanese sake during your trip?
- 1. What kind of sake can you enjoy in Kakunodate?
- 1 | The silence of the blackboard fence and the blessings of underground water in the Ou Mountains
- 2 | Walk along the samurai residence street and taste the heartbeat of local sake at Kaku-uchi
- 3 | A cup that stands out in the ancient city of cherry blossoms, the various expressions of Hideyoshi
- [ Kakunodate Samurai Residence Area Overview Information]
- 2. “Recommended sake breweries” around the samurai residences in Kakunodate
1. What kind of sake can you enjoy in Kakunodate?
Kakunodate is the “Little Kyoto of Michinoku”, where the blackboard walls of samurai residences and weeping cherry blossoms intertwine. The atmosphere of Samurai Town, which has been around for 400 years, is connected to the underground water of the Ou Mountains and the rich land that grows Akita’s sake rice, and is known as one of the best sake producing areas in the Tohoku region. In the spring, the cherry blossoms along the banks of the Hinokinai River paint the town a pale pink, and in the fall, the autumn leaves sway through the lattice windows – the seasonal scenery enhances the flavor of the sake.
1 | The silence of the blackboard fence and the blessings of underground water in the Ou Mountains
Suzuki Sake Brewery (Hideyoshi), founded in 1689 and located 10 minutes by car from Kakunodate, pumps soft water from the Ou Mountains from 45 meters underground and produces Akita Sake Komachi Misato Nishiki, which has been polished in-house by its master brewers. While inheriting the lineage of the “governed sake of the clan,” it produces an elegant flavor thanks to its ginjo brewing, which uses low-temperature, long-term fermentation. During the brewery tour, armor and artwork from the Edo period will be on display, allowing you to experience the fusion of samurai culture and brewing techniques.
2 | Walk along the samurai residence street and taste the heartbeat of local sake at Kaku-uchi
The local sake specialty shops dotted along Samurai Residence Street are hidden spots that will enhance your enjoyment of strolling through Kurobake. <Kishitaya Yoshinari> always offers over 40 types of Akita sake with free tasting, and <Local Sake Fujita> is also available for purchase right in front of the station. As you enjoy the limited-edition unprocessed sake and low-alcohol sparkling while holding a cherry-bark-crafted sake in your hand, you’ll be pleasantly fused with the historic townscape and intoxication.
3 | A cup that stands out in the ancient city of cherry blossoms, the various expressions of Hideyoshi
Hideyoshi’s representative brands “Sakura no Mai” and “Kura no Mai” are attractive with a light aroma reminiscent of the rows of cherry blossom trees in Kakunodate and a lingering flavor of rice. The brewery’s innovative spirit is alive and well, with a variety of challenging lines such as spring-only cherry blossom viewing sake, EN-SO MOMIJI, which is shipped in bottles in autumn, zodiac bottles, and oak barrel aging. A variety of cups that reflect the aesthetic sense of the samurai town will infuse a deep sense of the season into the traveler’s cup.
[ Kakunodate Samurai Residence Area Overview Information]
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| location | Kakunodate-cho, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture (Samurai Residence Street/Hinokinai River Embankment area) |
| access | Approximately 15 minutes walk from JR Kakunodate Station (Bukeyashiki Street) / 10 minutes by car from JR Kakunodate Station <Suzuki Sake Brewery Hideyoshi> |
| Main tourist destinations | Samurai residence street (Aoyagi family, Ishiguro family, etc.), cherry blossom trees on the bank of the Hinokiuchi River, Kakunodate Historical Village and Folklore Museum, Lake Tazawa, Dakigaeri Valley |
| Japanese sake spot | Suzuki Sake Brewery (Hideyoshi), Itshimitaya Yoshinari, Fujita Local Sake, Semboku City Tourist Information Center (Kakunodate Ekimae Kura), Domajin Kakunodate Store, etc. |
| Event information | Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival (mid-April to early May: limited sale of cherry blossom viewing sake) / Kakunodate Festival Yama Events (September 7-9: festival-limited sake “Yoiyama”) / Hideyoshi brewery opening (spring), freshly squeezed sake tasting (winter) |
2. “Recommended sake breweries” around the samurai residences in Kakunodate
A brewery tour in Michinoku Little Kyoto, with its samurai town features and rich underground water.
Kakunodate, where samurai residences with blackboard walls remain, is blessed with the clear streams of the Omonogawa and Hinokiuchi rivers and melted snow from the Ou Mountains, and has long been a distribution center for high-quality sake rice. If you take a short walk from the station, you will find a historic sake brewery that is still alive and well, and you can experience the Akita style of sake brewing first-hand through tours and tasting sake. Here we will introduce two carefully selected breweries that are easy to visit on a day trip from Kakunodate.
1. Suzuki Sake Brewery Store <Hideyoshi> | Founded in the Genroku era – A prestigious brewery that continues to pass on the domain’s official sake
Opening a store:http://www.iw-kotobuki.co.jp/
Suzuki Sake Brewery, which once served as a purveyor to the Satake Kita family, is a long-established brewery founded in 1689. We use soft water from the Ou Mountains pumped up from 45 meters underground, and use Akita Sake Komachi, Misato Nishiki, and other locally produced rice to polish our rice in-house and use low-temperature, long-term fermentation to refine its elegant flavor. A tour of the brewery (reservation required), where armor and ancient documents are lined up, is a valuable experience where you can experience both sake brewing and samurai culture at the same time. At the free tasting corner, you can sample more than 10 types of sake, from the signature brand “Hideyoshi” Junmai sake to Tobintori’s limited edition sake.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Official name | Suzuki Sake Brewing Company (Brand: Hideyoshi/Ryuban) |
| Founding year | 1689 (Genroku 2nd year) |
| Main brands | Hideyoshi (Junmai, Junmai Ginjo, Junmai Daiginjo), Ryuban, seasonal “freshly squeezed raw sake”, etc. |
| visit | 〇 (Reservation required / 30 minutes / Tour fee 500 yen) |
| Tasting | 〇 (Free around 10 types) |
| Direct sales office | Available (limited sake, sake lees, amazake, liqueur, etc.) |
| access | Approximately 10 minutes walk from JR Ugo-Nagano Station / Approximately 25 minutes + walk from Kakunodate Station by JR |
2. Kariho Sake Brewery | A craftsman brewery that excels in Yamahai brewing and “full sake tank squeezing”
Opening a store:https://www.igeta.jp/kariho-page/
Founded in 1913, Kariho Sake Brewery, located on the banks of the Omono River, inherited a brewery that was built in the 3rd year of the Kaei era, and produces a powerful and dry brew using “Yamahaimoto” and traditional sake brewing. The brewing water is underground water from the Ou Mountains, and the rice is all produced in the prefecture, mainly from Akita Sake Komachi and Akitakomachi. Brewery tours (reservations required) are available year-round, and the brewer will guide you through the sake tank and the Yamahai Sake Mother Room. At the tasting counter, you can taste “Kariho Rokufun” and “Kariho Yamahai Extra Dry” for a fee.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Official name | Akita Sake Co., Ltd. Kariho Sake Brewery |
| Founding year | 1913 (Taisho 2) |
| Main brands | Kariho (Rokufune, Yamahai Junmai, Ginjo), Dewazuru, Yamato Shizuku limited edition sake, etc. |
| visit | 〇 (Reservation required / Year-round / Tour fee starts from 300 yen) |
| Tasting | 〇(Paid, 3-4 types, seasonal variations) |
| Direct sales office | Available (limited bottles, sake lees, goods) |
| access | About 15 minutes walk from JR Jinguji Station / About 35 minutes by JR + walk from Kakunodate Station |
3. “Recommended Sake Selection” around the Samurai Residences in Kakunodate
Kakunodate is known as “Michinoku Little Kyoto” with blackboard walls and weeping cherry blossoms. The local sake, made from melted snow water from the Ou Mountains and Akita sake rice, is exceptional when combined with the tranquility of the samurai residences and the scenery of the Hinokinai River bank.5 bottles you can get on a brewery tour or at a local sake specialty store in front of the stationWe have carefully selected them and summarized their taste, preparation, and how to enjoy them in detail. Please pair it with a historical walk or cherry blossom viewing.
1. Hideyoshi Kura no Mai Junmai Daiginjo｜Suzuki Sake Brewery
A flagship from a prestigious company founded in the Genroku era. Yamada Nishiki and Akita Sake Komachi are polished to 40%, and the sake is fermented at low temperatures for a long period of time and then carefully squeezed using a hanging bag. It has a fresh ginjo aroma reminiscent of fruit and a silky sweetness, while the sake content +3.5 gives it a sharp edge. He is a talented brewer who won the trophy in the Junmai Daiginjo category at IWC2019 and also won platinum in Kura Master. Enjoy the aroma with cold sake, and enhance the flavor with charcoal-grilled Hinai chicken and salty cheese.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai Daiginjo (polished rice 40%) |
| taste | Pear/melon aroma/elegant sweetness followed by a sharp sharpness |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎ / Room temperature ○ |
| Compatible dishes | Salt-grilled Hinai chicken, Inaniwa udon, tonburi and scallop carpaccio |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Suzuki Sake Brewery (Direct Sales Office) / Fujita Local Sake / Kakunodate Ekimae Kura |
2. Hideyoshi Sakura no Mai Junmai Ginjo (spring only) | Suzuki Sake Brewery
The black bottle with the motif of Kakunodate’s night cherry blossoms is a landmark. This bottle, polished to 50% Akita Sake Komachi and brewed with “Komachi Yeast Special,” has the brightness of white peach and apple and the gentle sweetness that will brighten up your spring cherry blossom viewing bento. The aroma is sealed in a bottle and pasteurized, and it’s especially special when you enjoy it while looking at the rows of illuminated cherry blossom trees. It will only be released from the warehouse from late February to early April, so if you see it, we recommend purchasing it immediately.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai Ginjo (polished rice 50%, seasonal only) |
| taste | White peach-like ginjo aroma/fresh sweetness/clean aftertaste |
| How to drink | Cold sake◎／Room temperature◎ |
| Compatible dishes | Iburigakko & cream cheese, sakura sea bream kombujime, mugwort mochi |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Suzuki Sake Brewery (Direct Sales Office)/Local sake Fujita (tasting available) |
3. Kariho Ginjo Rokufune | Kariho Sake Brewery
A dry ginjo named after the six sake tanks that still exist in the brewery. Miyama Nishiki is polished to 57%, and the moromi is brewed in medium-hard water and pressed in a wooden tank, resulting in a clear flavor with no unpleasant flavors and sharp acidity. Even after winning the IWC2008 Bronze Award, they have continued to receive high praise both domestically and internationally, and have developed a variety of derivative drinks, including the summer-only lightly cloudy “Summer Mist” and a sparkling version. When served chilled with sashimi or warmed with wild vegetable tempura, the range of flavors expands.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Ginjo (rice polishing ratio 57%) |
| taste | Refreshing scent/light and dry/sharp sharpness and lingering sound |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎ / Room temperature ○ / Lukewarm ○ |
| Compatible dishes | Sandfish sushi, cod sprout tempura, salted Genghis Khan |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Fujita Local Sake / Kakunodate Ekimae Kura / Izakaya “Domajin” and others |
4. Yuki no Kayasha Junmai Ginjo｜Saiya Sake Brewery
This signature sake is brewed using their own yeast by a brewery that has won gold awards at the National Sake Awards 20 times in total. Yamada Nishiki and Akita Sake Komachi are polished to 55% and are unfiltered, with a design that suppresses amino acids, creating an exquisite balance between a subtle aroma reminiscent of apples and fine acidity. The clear aftertaste derived from the snowy spring water of Yurihonjo goes well with a wide range of dishes, from cold sake to warm sake. If you are drinking Yuki no Kayasha for the first time, this is the standard bottle to start with.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai Ginjo (polished rice 55%, unfiltered unprocessed sake) |
| taste | Gentle green apple aroma/clear flavor/crisp acidity |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎ / Room temperature ◎ / Lukewarm ○ |
| Compatible dishes | Kiritanpo Hotpot, Seri Shabu, Cod Milt Ponzu Sauce |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Kakunodate Ekimae Brewery/Local Sake Fujita/Hakkojitaya |
5. Amanoto Mina 80 Junmai｜Asamai Sake Brewery
A pioneer in low-refined rice, with the aim of “not shaving rice too much and competing on flavor.” Akita Sake Komachi is brewed with 80% polished rice using Akita Ryuka Yeast AK-1 to create a rich rice flavor and crispness. It won the highest gold award at the 2017 National Warm Sake Contest and is a regular in the media as a value-for-money sake. When served at room temperature to lukewarm temperature, the sweetness of the grains and the three-dimensionality of the acid increase, making it a perfect match with Hinai chicken miso hotpot and Yamauchi potato soup.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Pure rice (80% polished rice, pasteurized without filtration) |
| taste | Plump rice flavor/Moderate acidity/Dry aftertaste with good crispness |
| How to drink | Room temperature ◎ / Warm ◎ / Cold sake ○ |
| Compatible dishes | Hinai chicken miso hotpot, Iburigakko tartare, charcoal-grilled Maitake mushrooms |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Kakunodate Ekimaegura / Local Sake Fujita / Prefecture exclusive store |
4. “Model course” visiting samurai residences and sake breweries in Kakunodate
Walk along the samurai residence street lined with blackboard walls and weeping cherry blossoms, and sample Akita’s local sake brewed with underground water from the Ou Mountains. Kakunodate, where historical atmosphere and Japanese sake culture coexist, is attractive because it allows you to have an “intense” experience whether it’s for a half day or a full day. Here we offer three model courses that you can choose from to suit your travel style.
①｜Enjoy samurai residences and sake tasting! Standard walk & tasting course
🕒 Time required: Approximately 4 to 5 hours｜🧭 Difficulty: ★☆☆｜🍶 Estimated number of tastings: 2 locations
Opening a store:https://tazawako-kakunodate.com/ja/shops/167
A classic route that lets you fully experience the essence of Kakunodate in half a day. After taking photos of the samurai residence’s stately gate and the rows of cherry blossom trees in spring (or the autumn leaves), try comparing Kakunodate Label at two local sake shops, one in front of the station and one in Samurai Town. For lunch, fill up on local gourmet foods such as Hinai chicken and Inaniwa udon noodles – a teppanyaki plan that allows you to easily enjoy samurai residences and local sake.
| time zone | Itinerary details |
|---|---|
| 9:30 – 10:00 | Arrive at JR Kakunodate Station → Tourist map and baggage storage at Kakunodate Ekimae Kura on the right side of the station building | Sample Kakunodate limited sake (fees apply) |
| 10:00 – 11:30 | Stroll along the samurai residence street (Aoyagi family, Ishiguro family, etc.) → Photograph the blackboard fence and cherry blossom trees |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Free sake tasting such as “Hideyoshi Sakura no Mai” and souvenir selection at Bukkamachi entrance <Local Sake Fujita> |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Local lunch at an old private restaurant (Hinai chicken oyakodon/Inaniwa udon, etc.) |
| 13:00 – 14:00 | Take photos while strolling along the Hinokiuchi riverbank → Cafe break or additional shopping |
| 14:00 – | Return to Kakunodate Station and move on to the train/Free time to explore samurai residence museums, etc. |
②｜Kakunodate + A deep dive into long-established sake breweries! Kariho/Hideyoshi Enjoyment Course
🕒 Time required: Approximately 7 to 8 hours ｜ 🧭 Difficulty: ★★☆ ｜ 🍶 Estimated number of tastings: 2 places +α
Opening a store:https://www.hideyoshi.co.jp/sakagurakanko/
From Kakunodate, head south by JR — a greedy plan that takes you to Kariho Sake Brewery, which is famous for its Yamahai brewing and “sake tank squeezing”, and Suzuki Sake Brewery Hideyoshi, which preserves the tradition of the clan’s official sake, all in one day. Both breweries offer guided tours and tastings, allowing you to experience a wide range of styles, from dry Akita to gorgeous ginjo. On your way home, return to Kakunodate and enjoy some “Shime Kiritanpo” at an izakaya in Samurai Town.
| time zone | Itinerary details |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 10:00 | JR Kakunodate Station → A quick walk around the samurai residence/photo shoot |
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Departing from JR Kakunodate Station → Take the JR Ou Main Line to Jinguji Station (about 20 minutes) |
| 10:35 – 12:00 | 15 minutes walk to Kariho Sake Brewery → Sake tank squeeze brewery tour + paid tasting (3 to 4 types) |
| 12:00 – 12:25 | Take a taxi to Suzuki Sake Brewery Hideyoshi (about 15 minutes) |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Brewery tour with armor gallery + free tasting of over 10 types / Lunch at the brewery restaurant (Inaniwa udon set, etc.) |
| 13:45 – 14:30 | Purchase limited brewery sake and sake lees soft drinks → Take a taxi to Omagari Station |
| 14:45 – 15:15 | Departing from JR Omagari Station → Arriving at Kakunodate Station |
| 15:15 – 16:30 | Drink set (Kiritanpo & Tasty Sake) at a cafe or izakaya “Domajin” in Samurai Town |
③｜Have a drink in front of the station! Sake tasting light plan
🕒 Time required: Approximately 2 to 3 hours｜🧭 Difficulty: ★☆☆｜🍶 Estimated number of tastings: 2 places + eating while walking
Opening a store:https://www.akita-tourism.com/member/content/577
For those who want to have a quick taste of Kakunodate’s local sake while waiting to transfer or before the Akita Shinkansen departs. I went to the Kurazukuri information center and the local sake shop in front of the station, and at the entrance to Samurai Residence Street, I bought a choko made of cherry bark as a souvenir. If you have time, you can add some local snacks such as Hatahata sushi and Iburigakko to enjoy the “Kaku-uchi feeling”.
| time zone | Itinerary details |
|---|---|
| any | Arrival at JR Kakunodate Station → Use baggage locker inside the station |
| 13:00 – 13:30 | At Kakunodate Ekimae Kura, you can enjoy paid tastings of Akita breweries (3-cup sets, etc.) and purchase regionally limited bottles. |
| 13:30 – 14:00 | Rent a bicycle in front of the station or walk to <Jizake no Fujita> → Free tasting sake such as “Sakura no Mai” |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Purchase cherry bark-crafted choko and smoked sake cups at the souvenir shop at the entrance to Samurai Residence Street. |
| 14:30 – | Return to Kakunodate Station and board the Shinkansen/Akita Nairiku Line can be extended towards Lake Tazawa. |
Finally
Walking around Kakunodate is not just about admiring the scenery, it is also a journey of taste where you can experience the rice and water grown in the land and the techniques of the brewers. The hints of samurai culture that I felt through the black walls, and the sound of the brewer’s breathing that I heard during the brewery tour – all of that is condensed into a glass of sake.
In this town surrounded by history and nature, we hope you will find your favorite bottle and return home with an unforgettable aftertaste.
