A local pride! Visiting the charm of a sake brewery that preserves tradition... Tamakawa Sake Brewery and Echigo Yukikurakan

Japan's "traditional sake brewing" was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2024. Sake brewing has developed in response to the climate and soil of various parts of Japan, and here in Uonuma City there is a sake brewery called "Tamagawa Sake Brewery" with a history of over 350 years .

This time, we visited Echigo Yukikurakan, a direct sales store where you can tour the brewery!

Traditional sake brewing in the heavy snow region of Uonuma

In the Suhara district, where Tamagawa Sake Brewery is located, there was about 2 meters of snow on the day of the visit.

"Being an area with heavy snowfall makes it the perfect climate for sake brewing," says Kazama Hayato, CEO of Tamagawa Sake Brewery Co., Ltd., who guided us around this tour.

Sake brewing takes place every year from early November to mid-April. If you visit during this period and the timing is right, you'll be able to see the rice being washed and steamed up close.

There was no work being done on this day, but the large tools used in sake brewing were lined up, and it was exciting to see a sight that you don't normally get to see. I would definitely like to come back again and see the brewers make sake up close!

Along the way, there are boards that explain the sake brewing process in detail, so you can enjoy the tour while learning .

The rice used is produced by the local award-winning Koiwa Farm. Employees also participate in rice planting every year, putting their heart and soul into everything from rice cultivation to sake brewing.

They also use "Oshimizu," a spring water that springs from the hillside behind the brewery. Thanks to Kazama-san's detailed explanation, my understanding of sake has deepened even further.

During the tour, I happened to look up at the ceiling of the storehouse. The beams give off a sense of history. In fact, this building was constructed over 160 years ago. I was reminded that this is a sake brewery that has continued to thrive for such a long time, with traditional sake brewing techniques handed down and loved by the local people.

The traditions and challenges of a sake brewery that continues to be loved by locals

Next, we went to the brewery where large tanks were lined up, and learned how the sake is shipped.

Here you can see Tamagawa Brewery's representative brands and their award history.

Tamakawa Sake Brewery's signature brand is "Tama Fumi." The ball (circle) on the label represents their desire to create a sake that can be enjoyed in gatherings with many people . It is a brand that has preserved its traditional flavor and has been loved by locals for many years. Among them, "Jukyudai Tama Fumi" won the gold medal in the premium warmed sake category at the 2024 National Warmed Sake Contest, and is a product that has been recognized nationwide for its local flavor. Incidentally, I am one of those who love to drink Tama Fumi with warmed sake in the winter ♪

After hearing about the history of the sake brewery and the thoughts that go into sake brewing, your head will be filled with thoughts of sake!

Find your favorite sake! Tasting corner at Echigo Yukikurakan

This is the time when the tasting corner appears.

With the hope that customers can chat with the staff and find their favorite drink, the bar offers tastings of over 10 different types of sake at any one time. In winter, new sake is released, meaning there are even more brands on display.

"While customers enjoy tasting, it also motivates our staff to interact directly with them," says Mr. Kazama.

There are highlights in each of the four seasons!

On the day of our visit, the facility was covered in snow, typical of Uonuma, but during the green season, you can also enter the snow storage facility called "Yukikura." This storage facility is covered in snow with a special sheet and is designed to store food at low temperatures throughout the year.

The temperature inside is 2-3 degrees, making it a recommended spot for cooling off in midsummer . (The photo above is from summer. There is still snow under the seat on the left. Compare it to the photo at the top of the page!)

Other highlights include the brewing of plum wine in June, the sale of sake stored in the snow in July, and the limited sale of "Hiyaoroshi" sake only available at Echigo Yukikurakan from September to October, making this a facility that has something to see all year round .

Echigo Yukikurakan was a place that connected "brewers" and "travelers"

Echigo Yukikurakan opened 34 years ago. To date, an astounding 1.8 million people have visited! Through the tour, you can get a feel for the passion the brewers have for sake brewing, and enjoy tastings while having conversations with them. At the same time, the brewers themselves also listen directly to the customers' feedback, which I felt was encouraging for them to continue brewing.

Why not take a trip to Echigo Yukikurakan to experience the passion of the brewers and the sake that results from it?

(Interview date: January 2025)

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What did you think? Here in Uonuma, we have delicious water and rice, which is why we can also enjoy delicious sake. The Uonuma City Tourism Association also provides other information about tourism and cuisine on its official website. Please take a look at the official website!