Sasame Sobei Shoten (株式会社笹目宗兵衛商店)
Sasame Sobei Shoten is a sake brewery in Kasama, Ibaraki, that brews the Nihasan Matsumidori brand and supplies sake offered at Kasama Inari Shrine.
What kind of brewery is Sasame Sobei Shoten?
The brewery was originally the sake maker of the Makino family, lords of the Kasama domain. In 1873 the lord handed over its management, together with a poem, and granted the brand name Nihasan Matsumidori. Nihasan refers to the two mountains Tsukuba and Kaba. The sake has been ordered as an offering for Kasama Inari Shrine through the generations. In 2002 the brewery displayed casks in front of the Kabukiza theatre and served commemorative sake for a major kabuki naming ceremony.
- Other
- Brewing season runs from mid-November to early April. Seasonal releases include nigori in winter, funakuchi in spring and hiyaoroshi in autumn.
- Style
- The brewery uses four-stage brewing, adding koji rice, steamed rice, yeast and water in steps.
Can you visit Sasame Sobei Shoten?
- Tours
Brewery tours take about 10 minutes, are free for 1 to 40 people, and must be booked at least 3 days ahead. During the brewing season the brewing room is closed to visitors.
- Shop
Direct sales and tasting are available at the shop.
Hours and booking rules change, so check before you go. Official website
Other brewery tours in Ibaraki
Compiled with AI from public pages, mainly the brewery’s own site (not yet checked by the brewery)Sources: matsumidori.com