Kaganoi Shuzo (加賀の井酒造株式会社)
Kaganoi Shuzo is a sake brewery in Itoigawa, Niigata, founded in 1650 and brewing Kaganoi. It uses sub-surface water from near the Hisui gorge and mainly Niigata-grown sake rice to make sake meant to go with meals.
What kind of brewery is Kaganoi Shuzo?
The brewery was founded at its present location in 1650, and in 1652 the Itoigawa honjin used by the Kaga Maeda family on their alternate-attendance journeys is said to have been set up within its grounds. The name Kaganoi was given by Maeda Toshitsune, the third head of the Maeda family. Successive heads of the Kobayashi family dug many wells and found the present brewing water in 1697. The Itoigawa fire of December 2016 burned the brewery down, and a new brewery has operated since spring 2018. A 17th-generation owner-toji and an 18th-generation owner now work on the brewing.
- Water
- The brewing water is sub-surface water from near the Hisui gorge, a medium-hard water that is unusual in Japan.
- Ingredients
- Mainly Gohyakumangoku, plus Takanenishiki, Yamadanishiki and Koshitanrei, with Niigata-grown rice at the core.
- Style
- Aims for a balance of firm umami and a crisp finish, as sake to accompany food.
- Other
- The brewery avoids mass production and brews at a scale where people can watch over every step.
- Master brewer
- The toji, who is also the owner, is the 17th generation and serves as head of brewing.
Can you visit Kaganoi Shuzo?
- Tours
Tours run from 10:00 to 17:00 and take about 30 minutes. Closing days vary, and Saturdays, Sundays and holidays require prior contact. The tour follows the production process from outside the buildings; a staff guide or tasting needs a booking by phone at least 2 days ahead.
Hours and booking rules change, so check before you go. Official website
Other brewery tours in Niigata
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: kaganoi.co.jp