Yamanashi Meijo (山梨銘醸株式会社)
Yamanashi Meijo is a brewery in Yamanashi Prefecture, founded in 1750. Yamanashi Meijo has brewed Shichiken since 1750 in Taigahara, Hakushu, Hokuto, Yamanashi, using subterranean water from the Southern Alps.
AI-compiled from public information, not checked by the brewery.
Key facts
| Name | Yamanashi Meijo (山梨銘醸株式会社) |
|---|---|
| Location | Yamanashi Prefecture |
| Founded | 1750 |
| Makes | Sake and Shochu |
| Website | www.sake-shichiken.co.jp |
What kind of brewery is it?
History
In 1750 the first head, Kitahara Ihei, was drawn to the water of Hakushu and began brewing at Taigahara, a post town on the Koshu highway. The house is now in its thirteenth generation. Its brewing water is soft, filtered over many years through the granite of Mount Kaikomagatake. In 2014 it ended the contract toji system in favour of an in-house brewing director. It has run its own farm since 1999 for locally grown rice, launched the bottle-fermented Shichiken Sparkling in 2015, and opens its wooden brewery buildings, where Emperor Meiji once stayed, to visitors.
What makes it distinct
| Water | Subterranean water from Mount Kaikomagatake in the Southern Alps |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Local Hokuto rice from its own farm and others, such as Yumesansui and Hitogokochi |
| Master brewer | Contract toji system ended in 2014; an in-house brewing director leads |
| Also | The buildings, where Emperor Meiji stayed, are open as the Anzaisho |
Visiting
Anzaisho tours start at 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 14:00 and 15:00; brewery tours at 10:30, 11:30, 13:30, 14:30 and 15:30 (25 to 30 minutes, up to 15 people, booking advised). Brewery tours run in the winter brewing season (November to March). The shop Sakedokoro Dainakaya offers tastings.
- Tours
- Shop
Awards
| Year | Competition | Result | Entry | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewing year 2025 | Japan Sake Awards (Zenkoku Shinshu Kanpyokai) | Prize (nyusho) | 七賢 |