Fujii Sake Brewery Sakagura Exchange Hall

In short

This is a facility opened by Fujii Sake Brewery, a brewery in the Takehara Historic Preservation District, using part of its brewery building that dates back to the Edo period as a space for interaction. Fujii Sake Brewery was founded in 1863, and its flagship brand is "Ryusei." Today, all of its sake is brewed using the traditional kimoto method.

• ​Ryusei, Winner of the Top First Prize​​: In 1907, at the first National Sake Appraisal, Ryusei was awarded the top first prize. This competition is said to have been the first sake appraisal held in Japan
• ​Brewery Space​​: Surrounded by earthen walls, the brewery has high ceilings crossed by thick wooden beams
• ​Experiencing the Brewery's Sake​​: Inside the hall, sake tasting is available, and sake cups, tableware, as well as sweets and soaps made with sake lees (sakekasu), are on display

History and Highlights

​Fujii Sake Brewery Sakagura Exchange Hall​ is a facility opened by Fujii Sake Brewery, a brewery located in the Takehara Historic Preservation District, using part of its brewery building that dates back to the Edo period as a space for interaction.

Founded in 1863, Fujii Sake Brewery's flagship brand is "Ryusei," and since 1982, it has also produced a brand called "Yoru no Teio." Today, all of its sake is brewed using the traditional kimoto method.

The town of Takehara prospered from the Edo period onward, based on salt production and expanding into sake brewing and shipping cargo trades. The old brewery conveys the legacy of Takehara as a brewing town to this day.

Points for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​First Prize at a Meiji-Era Competition​​: In 1907, at the first National Sake Appraisal, Ryusei was awarded the top first prize. This competition is said to have been the first sake appraisal held in Japan.
• ​Brewery Space​​: Surrounded by earthen walls, the brewery has high ceilings crossed by thick wooden beams. Inside the building, visitors can experience the atmosphere of a brewery that has continued since the Edo period.
• ​Experiencing the Brewery's Sake​​: Inside the hall, sake tasting is available, and sake cups, tableware, as well as sweets and soaps made with sake lees (sakekasu), are on display and for sale.

Tips for Exploring

It is an easy spot to stop by while strolling through the historic streets. Because the road leading to the brewery is very narrow, visitors arriving by car are recommended to park at Michi-no-Eki Takehara and walk through the townscape. After touring the interior, be sure to view the exterior of the brewery from the street as well. If you are driving, please refrain from tasting and enjoy browsing for souvenirs instead. In the same neighborhood, you will find the Former Matsusaka Family Residence, the Takehara City History and Folklore Museum, and Shoren-ji Temple, while Fumeikaku Hall of Saiho-ji Temple stands on the higher ground. The background of the town's prosperity through salt and sake is introduced under "Takehara Historic Preservation District," and individual highlights are guided at each respective spot.