Sake Brewery Tour in Akita - vol.8 - Hikobei Jugoji and Isshaku Suisei

  • Akita
  • Special Features
Front exterior
Sake Brewery Tour in Akita" vol. 8 features the Fukurokuju Sake Brewery in Gojome Town, located about 30 kilometers north of Akita City. Walking around the center of this small town with a population of about 8,000, you will find old houses and an old market, and a cultural atmosphere.
The brewery's representative brands include "Jugoyo Hikobei" and "Fukurokuju," and it has long been a popular sake brewery, especially among the locals.

A long-established sake brewery that has been in business for more than 330 years

Fukurokuju Brewery was founded by Hikobei Watanabe I in 1688. The Watanabe family is said to have come to Akita from Matto (now Hakusan City) in Ishikawa Prefecture during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600) as a result of a revolt against Nobunaga Oda. In the early days of the company, the main product was doburoku, and it is said that full-scale sake production began at the end of the Edo period.
In October 1921, a large fire broke out in the town of Gojome, damaging about 300 houses in the center of the town. The Fukurokuju Brewery was also severely damaged, with most of its buildings destroyed. The upper and lower breweries, which survived the fire, remain as they were at the time of the fire and were designated as "Registered Tangible Cultural Properties" by the Japanese government in 1996.
Fukurokuju Kamikura

Sake brewery aiming to create "enjoyable sake

The company name "Fukurokuju" is derived from "Fukurokuju," a god known as one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. The name also represents the company's wish for prosperity of offspring, longevity, and prosperity in business. The "enjoyable sake" that we make at Fukurokuju Brewery is based on our desire for our customers to truly enjoy our sake, and the brewery staff's sincere enjoyment in brewing it. The brewer and the drinker are carefully crafting the sake in pursuit of a single drop of joy.
Brewing warehouse

Birth of "ICHIHAKUSUISEI

ICHIHAKUSUISEI" was created in 2006 (Heisei 18) after Yasue Watanabe, the 16th generation, took over the brewery. The name "ICHIHAKUSUISEI" means "the best sake made from white rice and water. The brewery's uncompromising dedication to quality has taken shape and is now so popular nationwide that it accounts for more than half of the Fukurokuju Brewery's shipments.

Shimotamachi Brewery HIKOBE

In 2018, Shimotamachi (Shitamachi) Brewery Room HIKOBE opened diagonally across from the brewery as a cafe and social gathering place. Hoping that it will become a place to inherit the culture of fermentation and the town of Gojome, the menu includes a Fukurokuju sake tasting set, as well as sake-kasu cheesecake and brewed water coffee, making it a place that even those who do not drink sake can enjoy.
The coffee cups are fired at the San'on Kiln in Gojome. The kiln has been in operation for about 30 years in Gojome, and the pottery, which is made from plant ash, has a natural coloring and a rustic texture that gives it a warm feeling.
The lunch using sakekasu (sake lees), served only on Tuesdays, is very popular. Sakekasu is rich in B vitamins, which help cleanse the skin, so it is a great way to kill two birds with one stone: eating delicious food and becoming beautiful at the same time.
Appearance of the store
Significantly renovated interior
Popular sake lees drink "Sakekasu Chai Latte

Limited edition sake "ICHIHAKUSUISEI HIKOBE

The brewery's limited edition sake "ICHIHAKUSUISEI HIKOBE" can only be purchased here. It is a junmai daiginjo made from sake rice grown by the local "Gojome-machi Sake Rice Research Association" and polished to 45%. The label features a design with a motif of "Moriyama," the symbol of Gojome Town, and is very nice.
The staff of "ICHIHAKUSUISEI HIKOBE" also got one!

Can I visit the brewery?

The brewery tour is currently suspended (as of August 2025). For details, please check "Sake Brewery Tours" on the official website.
The homepage of "ICHIHAKUSUISUISEI" Fukurokuju Sake Brewery is here:

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