Visiting Daiichi Shuzo

What you can do

What to expect

Kurabito (brewery workers) guide visitors through the sake brewing process step by step, explaining each stage in detail. Drinking freshly pressed new sake at the brewery is a special experience.

Getting there

■A paid shuttle bus runs between the south exit of JR Sano Station and Daiichi Shuzo (about 10 minutes). Round trip: ¥300. ■Departures from Sano Station: first bus 10:00, last bus 14:00 (every 30 minutes).

Parking

Parking is available, but spaces are limited. We recommend using public transportation.

Notes

Please check the brewery's website shortly before your visit to confirm whether the event will be held and whether any details have changed.

Getting there

Address

〒327-0031 栃木県佐野市田島町488

Open in Google Maps ↗

About the brewery

Daiichi Shuzo is a sake brewery in Sano, Tochigi Prefecture, founded in 1673 (the first year of the Enpo era). It has the longest history of any brewery in the prefecture. The brewery uses Sano's water, which is listed among the One Hundred Famous Waters of Japan, for brewing. It is known for an approach called "nojo ikkan" (integrated farming and brewing), in which the kurabito (brewery workers) grow sake rice themselves in the brewery's own paddies. Since 1998 (Heisei 10), all of its brands have been tokutei meisho-shu (the premium designated sake categories), brewed carefully in small batches. Its flagship brand is Kaika, which also won a gold prize at the Annual Japan Sake Awards for the Reiwa 6 brewing year.

Brewery profile, brands and bottles (4 brands, 27 bottles)