🕓 2025/5/31
#Japanese sake
more
A trip to Kanazawa to soothe your soul in the historic castle town and enjoy Kaga’s local sake.
table of contents
- What kind of sake can you enjoy in Kanazawa?
- Around Kanazawa“Recommended sake brewery”
- Around Kanazawa“Recommended Sake Selection”
- Tour Kanazawa and sake breweriesRu“Model course”
Introduction
Kanazawa – This castle town, where the history of Kaga Hyakumankoku is still alive, has a rich cultural layer unlike any other, with a tea house district with lattice doors that shine against the white walls, crafts with sparkling gold leaf, and unique local sake that is famous all over the country.
While walking through the streets where history and modernity intersect, you can fully enjoy the beauty of Hyakumangoku that dwells within the cup.Please use this guide as your first step.
- 1. What kind of sake can you enjoy in Kanazawa?
- 1 | Kaga sake nurtured by the four seasons of Kenrokuen and 100 years of water
- 2 | Walk through Higashi Chaya District and taste the heartbeat of local sake at Kaku-uchi
- 3 | The various expressions of Kaga Tobi, a cup that reflects the aesthetic sense of Hyakumangoku
- [Kanazawa Castle/Higashi Chaya District Area – Overview Information]
- 2. “Recommended sake breweries” around Kanazawa
- 1. Fukumitsuya Co., Ltd. | Founded in the Kanei era, a long-established brewery that produces all pure rice
- 2. Yachiya Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. | Maeda family purveyor and cultural property machiya brewery
- 3. “Recommended Sake Selection” around Kanazawa
- 1. Kaga Tobi Junmai Daiginjo 46 Hyakumangoku no Shiro｜Fukumitsuya (Kanazawa City)
- 2. Kagatsuru Junmai Sake “Ishikawamon” | Yachiya Sake Brewery (Kanazawa City)
- 3. Tengumai Yamahai Shikomi Junmai Sake | Kurumata Sake Brewery (Hakusan City)
- 4. Tedorigawa Junmai Ginjo Honryu Dry｜Yoshida Sake Brewery (Hakusan City)
- 5. Takeha Noto Junmai | Kazuma Sake Brewery (Noto Town)
- 4. “Model course” touring Kanazawa and sake breweries
- ①｜Enjoy Kenrokuen and sake tasting! Standard walk & tasting course
- ②｜Deeply digging into Kanazawa + Hakusan Sanzo! Tengumai & Tedori River Enjoyment Course
- ③｜Have a drink inside the station! Sake tasting light plan
- Finally
1. What kind of sake can you enjoy in Kanazawa?
Kanazawa, which flourished as the castle town of Kaga Hyakumankoku, is a “sake town” where the samurai residences and teahouse district retain traces of the Edo period, as well as the unique local sake brewed by the prefecture’s 34 breweries. The ultra-soft water that has passed through the granite layers of Mt. Iou over a period of 100 years – “100-year water” – fosters a clear sake quality, and the humid winter climate is ideal for low-temperature, long-term fermentation. Enjoying a cup along with Kenrokuen’s four seasons and gold leaf culture will further deepen your love of travel.
1 | Kaga sake nurtured by the four seasons of Kenrokuen and 100 years of water
10 minutes by bus from central Kanazawa.Fukumitsuya(Founded in 1625) is the oldest sake brewery in Ishikawa Prefecture, and they use only pure rice from contract-grown rice and “100-year water” pumped from 150 meters underground. The guided tour of the brewery consists of a video screening, tasting of the brewed water, a tour of the brewery, and tasting of sake, including tasting premium sake such as “Kagatobi Ikazuchi”. The cedar balls lining the long corridor and the latest thermal tanks allow you to experience 400 years of history and innovation at the same time.
2 | Walk through Higashi Chaya District and taste the heartbeat of local sake at Kaku-uchi
A series of latticesHigashi Chaya DistrictThe building is a renovated townhouse that is over 100 years old. Higashiyama Sake Raku We offer limited edition sake from the prefecture, starting from just one gulp. Tasting last order is 16:50, so we recommend stopping by during your daytime stroll. Near Oyama Shrine at night Sake Bar Kanazawa Sakecho fart. You can taste 80 types of Hokuriku sake in a set of 3 types (around ¥1,000), and it pairs well with Kaga cuisine such as Noto vegetables and Jibuni. At the beginning and end of your trip, take a look at Kanazawa Station’s “Anto” Kanazawa local sake brewery You can sample and purchase bottles from the vending machine.
3 | The various expressions of Kaga Tobi, a cup that reflects the aesthetic sense of Hyakumangoku
Fukumitsuya signboard brand “Kagatobi” is a stylish and dry dish named after Kaga Tobi, a firefighter during the feudal period. We have a diverse range of sake, including the Junmai Daiginjo “Kichisho”, the 1000-day low-temperature aged “Sennichimai”, and the Yamahai-jikomi unprocessed sake “Ikazuchi”, which is appealing for its deep flavor that sharpens when cold and enhances the flavor when warmed. The seasonal “Spring Shibori” and “Hiyaoroshi” are released in sync with the cherry blossoms and autumn leaves of Kenrokuen, and the scenery of the castle town is reflected in the cup.
[Kanazawa Castle/Higashi Chaya District Area – Overview Information]
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| location | Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture (around Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle Park, Higashi Chaya District) |
| access | Kanazawa Station → Hokutetsu Bus “Kenrokuen Shita/Kanazawa Castle” approx. 10 minutes/Approx. 10 minutes by taxi from the station <Fukumitsuya> |
| Main tourist destinations | Kenrokuen, Kanazawa Castle Park, Higashi Chaya District, Omicho Market, Nagamachi Samurai Residence Ruins, 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art |
| Japanese sake spot | Fukumitsuya (Kurayu Tour/Pick Sake), Kanazawa Jizake Brewery (Kakuuchi inside the station), Sake Bar Kanazawa Shucho, Higashiyama Shuraku (Kakuuchi), SAKE SHOP Fukumitsuya Kanazawa Branch |
| Event information | Kenrokuen illumination and free night opening (GW period/Kanazawa Hyakumangoku Festival (first week of June, Hyakumangoku procession)/Fukumitsuya brewery tour (all year round, reservation required) |
2. “Recommended sake breweries” around Kanazawa
A taste of the samurai town and the “100-year water” – a brewery tour where you can enjoy the Hyakumangoku culture
Kanazawa, where the ruins of the Nagamachi samurai residence and the lattice doors of the Higashi Chaya District still remain, is a sake-producing region blessed with subterranean water originating from the sacred Mt. Hakusan and the humid winter chill.In this castle town, where cultural assets from the feudal era and modern brewing techniques overlap, you can experience the Kaga-style sake brewing through a tour and tasting sake. Here we will introduce two carefully selected breweries that are easy to visit on a day trip from central Kanazawa.
1. Fukumitsuya Co., Ltd. | Founded in the Kanei era, a long-established brewery that produces all pure rice
Exhibitor:https://www.fukumitsuya.co.jp
Ishikawa Prefecture’s oldest brewery (founded in 1625), which produces pure rice using only 100-year water drawn from 150 meters underground and rice grown under contract. The tour takes 45 to 90 minutes and includes everything from watching videos to visiting the brewery and premium sake brewing. The signature brand “Kaga Tobi” is a stylish dry sake, and you can also compare the taste of “Fukumasamune” and the long-aged “Kuro Obi”. The brewery, lined with beams that are worthy of cultural heritage, and the latest thermal tanks coexist, allowing you to experience 400 years of innovation first-hand.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Official name | Fukumitsuya Co., Ltd. |
| Founding year | 1625 (Kanei 2) |
| Main brands | Kaga Tobi, Fukumasamune, Kuro Obi, 100-year water liqueur |
| visit | ○ Reservation required ・Kokikizake Basic 45 minutes ¥1,100 ・Premium 45 minutes ¥3,300 (from July) ・Kurauchi course 90 minutes ¥3,300 |
| Tasting | ○ Paid 3-5 types (within the tour) |
| Direct sales office | SAKE SHOP Fukumitsuya (Kanazawa store/Higashi Chaya District store) |
| access | Kanazawa Station → 1 minute walk from Hokutetsu Bus “Kodatsuno” stop / Approximately 15 minutes by taxi |
2. Yachiya Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. | Maeda family purveyor and cultural property machiya brewery
Exhibitor:https://www.yachiya-sake.co.jp
One of the oldest sake breweries in the castle town, this brewery received the patronage of sake from Maeda Toshiie, the founder of the Kaga clan, in 1583, and received the sake name “Kaga Tsuru” in 1628. The main building and brewery along the Hokkoku Kaido road are registered tangible cultural properties, and the hatchet carvings from that time remain on the beams and pillars. There are 40-minute brewery tours (reservation required, ¥500) three times a day, and a tasting corner where you can compare the tastes of “Kagatsuru Junmai Ishikawamon” and other wines. The tour ticket can also be used as a discount ticket for purchasing at the direct sales store, making it convenient for choosing souvenirs.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| Official name | Yachiya Sake Brewery Co., Ltd. (Brand: Kaga Tsuru) |
| Founding year | 1628 (Kanei 5) |
| Main brands | Kagatsuru Junmai/Daiginjo/Ishikawamon Series |
| visit | ○ Reservation required, 3 times a day (10:30/13:30/15:00) Duration: 40 minutes / Tour fee: ¥500 |
| Tasting | ○ Included in tour fee/additional paid tasting available |
| Direct sales office | Local sake Yanouchiya (shop with brewery) |
| access | Kanazawa Station → 5 minutes walk from JR/Hokutetsu bus “Meiwa” stop / Approximately 10 minutes by taxi |
3. “Recommended Sake Selection” around Kanazawa
In Kanazawa, where the elegance of Hyakumangoku still lives on, such as the Higashi Chaya District with its lattice doors and stone pavements, and the earthen walls of the former Nagamachi Samurai Residence, sake brewing is supported by the ultra-soft “Hyakunen-sui” water that has been refined over 100 years from the melting snow of the sacred Mt. Hakusan.
We have carefully selected five bottles that can be purchased on a brewery tour or at a specialty store inside the station, and summarized their taste, preparation, and how to enjoy them. Pair it with a walk around Kenrokuen or a tour of the Chaya District.
1. Kaga Tobi Junmai Daiginjo 46 Hyakumangoku no Shiro｜Fukumitsuya (Kanazawa City)
A limited quantity cuvée celebrating the birth of “Hyakumangoku no Shiro”. The original sake rice from Ishikawa Prefecture is polished to a polishing ratio of 46%, and is fermented at low temperatures for a long period of time using Kanazawa yeast and ultra-soft water that springs 150 meters underground.
Fresh aromas of white peach and pear follow, followed by a sharp convergence of soft rice flavor, minerality, and Kaga Tobi’s characteristic sharpness. A slight bitterness lingers in the aftertaste, which enhances the sweetness of Hokuriku seafood such as amaebi and gas shrimp. The clear outline is best served cold at around 10 degrees Celsius, and the “white” image that stands out against the snowy garden and night view of the cherry blossoms is also excellent.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai Daiginjo (polished rice 46%) |
| taste | Aroma of pear and white peach/Refreshingly dry with a sharp aftertaste |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎ / Room temperature ○ |
| Compatible dishes | Salt-grilled shrimp, Jibuni, Kobako crab |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | SAKE SHOP Fukumitsuya (Kura/Chaya District), Kanazawa Jisake Brewery (Station Anto) |
2. Kagatsuru Junmai Sake “Ishikawamon” | Yachiya Sake Brewery (Kanazawa City)
Machiya Gura, which has a history of being a purveyor to the Maeda family of the Kaga domain, fully expresses the uniqueness of Ishikawamon, a sake rice grown in Ishikawa Prefecture. The sake is brewed with soft water from a private well and Kanazawa yeast, and while the umami from the rice is at its core, the sake is dry with a sake level of +5 and has a nice aftertaste. When you put it in your mouth, it swells with a gentle rice aroma, and then the refreshing acid brings the flavor together, and even dishes with rich fats such as Nodoguro and duck jibuni do not feel overly heavy.
It won the Platinum Award at the 2024 Kura Master and is being reevaluated as a representative Kanazawa sake that combines classic and modern aspects.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai (milled rice 65%) |
| taste | Rich flavor/crisp dryness |
| How to drink | Room temperature ◎ / Warm ◎ / Cold sake ○ |
| Compatible dishes | Salt-grilled Nodoguro, boiled duck, grilled shiitake mushrooms |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Yachiya Sake Brewery Direct Sales Office, Kanazawa Sake Brewery, Higashi Chaya District |
3. Tengumai Yamahai Shikomi Junmai Sake | Kurumata Sake Brewery (Hakusan City)
A pioneering figure who defined the image of “mountain waste = richness.” 60% of our rice is self-polished and cultivated using natural lactic acid fermentation from Yamahai Shubo to bring out powerful acid even in winter without controlling the fermentation heat that rises up. The surface of the golden-brown liquid gives off the scent of cacao and ripe bananas, and in the mouth, the umami and strong acid come together harmoniously, and as it warms up, it becomes even deeper. It is the standard for “food-aged sake” that continues to receive acclaim both domestically and internationally, winning the IWC 2011 Junmaishu category trophy and the 2024 Kura Master Yamahai category top judge award.
You can enjoy a long aftertaste by pairing it with Noto beef sukiyaki or dark sweet and salted shrimp.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Yamahai Junmai (milled rice 60%) |
| taste | Aged banana-like aroma/rich in acidity/long aftertaste |
| How to drink | Room temperature◎/Lukewarm◎ |
| Compatible dishes | Noto beef sukiyaki, sweet shrimp salted fish, Hakusan Maitake mushroom tempura |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Kanazawa local sake brewery, Kakuuchi at Omicho market, many izakayas in the prefecture |
4. Tedorigawa Junmai Ginjo Honryu Dry｜Yoshida Sake Brewery (Hakusan City)
A versatile Chuginjo brewed using underground water (harder) from the sacred Mt. Hakusan, Kanazawa yeast cultured in-house, koji rice = Yamada Nishiki, and Kakemai = Gohyakumangoku, using the traditional “four-stage glutinous rice preparation”. It has a refreshing aroma reminiscent of green apples, a fresh flavor, and a deep flavor derived from sticky rice that supports a dry finish, making it suitable for a wide range of dishes, from sashimi to meat dishes.
Light cold sake at around 14 degrees Celsius brings out its aroma, while lukewarm sake at 40 degrees Celsius gives it a rounder flavor that goes perfectly with Kaga oden. This is the core of the “Honryu” series, which modernly redefines the taste of a brewery that has continued for 150 years.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai Ginjo (polished rice 50–55%) |
| taste | Green apple ginjo aroma/sharp dryness |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎ / Room temperature ○ |
| Compatible dishes | Yellowtail sashimi, Kanazawa oden (kurumafu, plum shellfish), Kaga lotus root steamed |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Kanazawa Local Sake Brewery, Omicho Market “Shunsai Sakebo”, Hakusan City Kura Shop |
5. Takeha Noto Junmai | Kazuma Sake Brewery (Noto Town)
Our flagship product is made using contract-grown Yamada Nishiki from Noto and underground water from the coastal terraces, and is hand-crafted by Noto’s master brewers, with the slogan “All Noto.” Citrus acids appear and disappear behind the gentle aroma of rice, and while the taste is light, it is well-balanced with a good combination of umami, astringency, and bitterness.
It has won many awards, including the IWC 2014 Silver Award and the 2023 Delicious Sake in a Wine Glass Award Gold Award.It is sharp when cold, and the richness of the rice stands out when warmed. It goes perfectly with Noto oysters and Ishiru hotpot, and is the first sake I would recommend as a bottle that embodies the “blessings of Noto” that can be enjoyed at any table.
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| type | Junmai (polishing ratio 55%) |
| taste | Citrus-like acidity/Balance of flavor and sharpness |
| How to drink | Cold sake ◎ / Warm sake ◎ |
| Compatible dishes | Fried Noto oysters, Ishiru hotpot, pufferfish ovaries pickled in rice bran |
| Where can I buy/drink it? | Kanazawa Station Anto “Noto Umaimonkan”, Chaya District Bar, Online Shopping |
4. “Model course” touring Kanazawa and sake breweries
Walk through the teahouse district with its lattice doors and sample Kaga’s local sake brewed with “100-year water.” Kanazawa, where historical atmosphere 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. You can choose according to your travel style. 3 model courses I would like to suggest.
①｜Enjoy Kenrokuen and sake tasting! Standard walk & tasting course
🕒 Time required: Approximately 4 – 5 hours ｜ 🧭 Difficulty: ★☆☆ ｜ 🍶 Estimated number of tastings: 2 locations
Exhibitor:https://www.fukumitsuya.co.jp
Starting from Kanazawa Station, you can experience the beauty of world heritage-class gardens and tastings at long-established breweries inside the station in a compact way. A classic half-day course where you can enjoy the four seasons at Kenrokuen Garden in the morning, have a seafood lunch at Omicho Market, and sample Junmai sake derived from “100 Years Water” at Fukumitsuya.
| time zone | Stop-in spots & experiences |
|---|---|
| 9:30 | Kanazawa station Kanazawa local sake brewery At 0 next party tasting |
| 10:00 | by bus Kenrokuen & Kanazawa Castle Park Strolling around |
| 11:30 | Omicho Market Seafood bowl lunch |
| 12:45 | Fukumitsuya SAKE SHOP Kanazawa branch〈Sake tour〉 |
| 14:00 | Take the bus to Kanazawa Station/Can also extend to Higashi Chaya District |
②｜Deeply digging into Kanazawa + Hakusan Sanzo! Tengumai & Tedori River Enjoyment Course
🕒 Time required: Approximately 7 – 8 hours ｜ 🧭 Difficulty: ★★☆ ｜ 🍶 Estimated number of tastings: 2 storehouses + inside the station
Exhibitor:https://tedorigawa.com/
A greedy plan that combines JR and taxi to visit all the Jikigura warehouses concentrated in the suburbs of Kanazawa. Compare the contrasting tastes of Yamahai’s heroic brewery (Kurumata Sake Brewery, Tengumai) and the transparent flavor of (Yoshida Sake Brewery, Tedorikawa), and then visit the “God of Sake” at Hakusan Hime Shrine. On the way home, you can also look for souvenirs inside the station.
| time zone | Stop-in spots & experiences |
|---|---|
| 9:00 | JR Kanazawa Station → Kurumata Sake Brewery (Tengumai) Tasting |
| 10:45 | Yoshida Sake Brewery (Tedorigawa) Tour & tasting |
| 12:30 | roadside station Megumi Hakusan(local lunch) |
| 13:30 | Hakusan Hime Shrine worship |
| 15:30 | Kanazawa station Kanazawa local sake brewery Compare drinks & souvenirs |
③｜Have a drink inside the station! Sake tasting light plan
🕒 Time required: Approximately 2 – 3 hours ｜ 🧭 Difficulty: ★☆☆ ｜ 🍶 Estimated number of tastings: 2 locations + food pairing
Enjoy a quick local sake experience while waiting to transfer or before taking the Shinkansen. Tasting 3 kinds inside the station → Pairing with Kanazawa Oden and fresh fish while standing – A snack course that allows you to experience the “town of local sake” even in a short time.
| time zone | Stop-in spots & experiences |
|---|---|
| any | Kanazawa station Kanazawa local sake brewery 3-cup set tasting |
| +30 minutes | Hyakubangai Anto Kanazawa Oden Stand |
| +60 minutes | Tsuzumimon Photography & souvenir color → To the train |
Finally
Kanazawa’s local sake is born from the unique richness of the underground water from Mt. Hakusan, “100 Years Water,” and Ishikawa’s unique sake rice, combined with the pride and innovation of brewers with over 400 years of experience. The borrowed scenery of Kenrokuen, the evening lights of the Chaya District, the silence of the ruins of the Nagamachi Samurai Residence–all of these reside on the other side of the sake cup, and the best part of a sake trip in this town is that you can experience the “hyakuman koku time” every time you drink.
The sake breweries, brands, and model courses introduced this time have been narrowed down to content that both first-timers and repeat visitors can explore in depth while balancing time, distance, and taste. One of the great things about Kanazawa is that you can start with a half-day course to get a feel for the town and its sake scene, and then go on a tour of breweries in the suburbs or sample seasonal sake. At the end of your trip, be sure to pick up a bottle of your choice at Kanazawa Jizakegura at Kanazawa Station, and enjoy the aftertaste on your way home.
The sense of transparency honed by history and nature, the depth created by the passion of craftsmen, and the aesthetic sense of the castle town that encompasses all of these. We hope your trip will allow you to enjoy Kanazawa’s sake culture with all your five senses and discover a new favorite drink.
