Sake Brewery Made with Okutama Water in a Historic Storehouse【003】
| Experience | Packaged Services |
| 🏴 Lecture on the history of Ishikawa Brewery and the sake-making process 🏴 Guided tour of the historic storehouses (Registered Tangible Cultural Property) 🏴 Sake tasting 🏴 Seasonal lunch at the brewery restaurant 🏴 Souvenir shop visit with gifts | 🏴 Private car transportation ; Approx. 1.5 hours from the central Tokyo for one way 🏴 English-speaking guide available at the site |
| Optional Tours |
| 🏴 Kai-ire (sake mash stirring) experience upon availability which is conducted only a few times per year |
| Conditions |
| Duration: 2.5 hours (additional 1 hour for optional tours) Capacity: Up to 6 persons (More participants may be available upon request) |
History
Japanese sake has been brewed in Japan for over 2,000 years using rice, water, and koji mold, making it one of the world’s rarest and most refined fermentation traditions.
From a single grain of rice, brewers are able to draw out a remarkable range of flavors, including sweetness, acidity, the savory taste known as umami, and aroma.
The taste of Japanese sake is shaped not only by its ingredients but also by the local water and climate, the environment of the brewery, and the accumulated experience and intuition of skilled artisans.
At a Japanese sake brewery, visitors can experience the dedication and philosophy of these craftsmen through the atmosphere, the arrangement of tools, and the details of the brewery itself.
Features
Ishikawa Shuzo Brewery, founded in 1863 and based in Kumagawa, Fussa since 1880, has six brewery buildings designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan. Its flagship brand, Tamajiman, is brewed year-round using clear spring water from the Okutama area of the Tama River system, and has gained recognition both domestically and internationally, including the Wine Glass Award for Sake Gold Prize and the WGO Sake Award Platinum Prize, making it popular among enthusiasts worldwide. The brewery also produces craft beers using the same water, which are well-regarded by beer lovers in Japan and abroad.
The site features a pair of 400-year-old sacred zelkova trees and historic brewery buildings, offering a unique environment where visitors can experience the special character of the Japanese sake and beer. Kaeire (stirring) of the mash, a part of the brewing process, is also available during certain periods, providing a rare opportunity to engage with Ishikawa Shuzo Brewery’s traditional brewing culture firsthand.
Time Schedule
Regular Tour
Start Time：From 10:00 AM
Time Table：
| 0:10 | Introduction |
| 0:30 | Guided tour of the sake brewery showcasing the brewing process and grounds. |
| 0:20 | Sake tasting featuring Tamajiman, including rare aged non-retail varieties. |
| 1:00 | Seasonal Japanese lunch with Ishikawa Brewery’s sake and beer. *Italian restaurant on Wednesdays. |
| 0:30 | Free time at the brewery shop for sake and local specialties |
Optional Tours
Time Table：
| 0:30 | Kai-ire (stirring the fermenting sake mash with a wooden paddle) – A key step in sake brewing, rarely open to the public *Conducted only a few times per year |
MAP
Detailed Provisions
[Operating Conditions]
| ・Minimum number of participants: 1 person |
| ・Maximum number of participants: Up to 6 participants (groups of 7 or more are subject to consultation) |
| ・Age requirement: No age restriction (Sake tasting is not permitted for under 20 year-old participants.) |
| ・Language support: Necessary for a licensed interpreter-guide |
| ・Operating period: Wednesday to Sunday; closed during the New Year holidays |
[Participation Requirements | Important Notes]
| ・Dress code: None |
| ・What to bring: None |
| ・Safety precautions: Sake tasting is not permitted for for under 20 year-old participants. |
| ・Booking deadline: 5 days prior to the tour date |
| ・Cancellation (including changes) policy: From 21 days prior – 20%; From 8 days prior – 50%; From 3 days prior – 100% |
| ・Severe weather policy: The tour will generally proceed. (indoor event) |
| ・Disclaimer: The program content may be changed or canceled due to safety management or operational reasons. The organizer is not responsible for injuries or accidents caused by the participant’s own negligence. |
| ・Photography / Video recording: Partially restricted |
| ・Liability waiver form: Not required |
[Booking Process]
| 1) Inquiry from the customer. |
| 2) Proposal and quotation provided within two business days. |
| 3) Reservation arrangements commence upon guest’s application. (The cancellation policy becomes effective at this stage.) |
| 4) Booking confirmation notice. (If the reservation cannot be secured, the cancellation policy will not apply.) |
| 5) Payment is required within 48 hours after booking confirmation notice. |
