Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery

Established in 1767, Imayotsukasa Sake Brewery is the closest brewery to Niigata Station, the gateway to Niigata Prefecture which is the home of the largest number of sake breweries in Japan. This brewery specializes in “junmai-jikomi”, a traditional sake brewing method of fermentation without the addition of any extraneous alcohol. While painstaking, this process brings out the pure flavor of rice in each batch. Here you’ll find a promise of flavor that stems from their selection of using only Niigata-brand rice that’s perfect for brewing, blended with the acclaimed natural spring waters from Mt. Suganadake.

The brewery offers tours of their facilities so more people can enjoy sake in many different ways. (Reservation required. Tour length about 30 minutes. There are English tours available at 2:00 pm on weekdays.)

Once inside the storehouse, visitors will find old original signboards, sake brewing tools, and other displays that send you back into a bygone world. You can even take a picture while trying on a “happi” (traditional Japanese coat). Sake tasting is available once your tour is complete.

At the brewery shop you’ll find a wide range of specialty sakes, from brews that pair perfectly with oysters, to eye-catching bottles that feature an iconic design that looks like vibrant koi fish. There is an array of uniquely designed souvenirs like “ochoko” sake cups and “tokkuri” decanters, including ones that look like rice balls. This is a perfect spot to pick up your favorite bottle of sake or a souvenir to take home for yourself or your favorite person.