Sake from Saitama Prefecture

Saitama prefecture has always been strongly linked to the nearby capital (Edo / Tokyo), either as "vegetable garden," or as "commuting town." It was also the vicinity to Tokyo (Edo) and its numerous consumers that helped the sake industry in Saitama develop a larger volume than in nearby Tochigi or Gunma. Transport arteries were the large rivers, the Arakawa and Tone Rivers - and they also provided plenty of water for the brewers.

[Kawagoe]

Saitama is dotted with historical towns and in the past, important highways passed through Saitama: the Nakasendo and the highway north, the Riku-U Kaido. Many breweries are spread out along these two traditional highways and not a few of these were Oshudana, breweries operated by Japan's best pre-modern businessmen, the shrewd Omi Shonin, merchants of Shiga Prefecture.

In contrast to the densely-populated eastern plains, the northwestern part of the prefecture, with the Chichibu basin, is an area with beautiful mountains and rich nature as well as old shrines and temples. Here, too, there is good water - not for nothing is Ogawamachi an old paper-making town - and therefore plenty of brewing opportunities.

There are about 35 breweries in Saitama Prefecture. The prefecture is active in developing new yeasts ("Kaori Kobo") and common brands (the ginjo "Saiko"). Sake from Saitama is usually light and fresh.

Some breweries are:

• Buko Masamune (Buko Shuzo, Chichibu). Est 1753. "True Heart of Buko" (Buko is the name of the most important mountain in Chichibu). Located in historical premises in the city of Chichibu, just a 15-minutes walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station. Visitors are welcome to tour the 200-year old brewery (reservations required). In the inner courtyard is a famous groundwater well. Light sake with only little acids, medium dry.
• Chichibu Nishiki (Yao Honten Co., Ltd., Chichibu). "Brocade of Chichibu." Founded by Omi merchant in 1749. Operates Sakezukuri no Mori ("Forest of Breweries") where besides sake, also shochu and wine are made. Brewery tours are possible and there is a brewery museum. 
• Kikuizumi (Takizawa Shuzo, Fukaya). The name means "Chrysanthemum Spring" - chrysanthemums were thought to bring long life. Founded 1863. Stands along the Nakasendo highway, in "brick producing town" Fukaya. All processes are traditional and by hand. Won many prizes in the last 20 years.
• Shinkame. (Shinkame Shuzo, Hasuda) Founded in 1848, Shinkame only brews junmai sake. Instead of making flashy young and fragrant sakes, it insists on a deep and complex flavor. Another token of its solidness is that its uses a generous aging period. The name of the brewery 'Divine Turtle" goes back to a turtle who lived in the pond Tenjin-ike that used to lie at the back of the brewery - that turtle was considered as a messenger of the gods. "Hikomago" is another brandname used by this brewery.