winning junmai sake
Suehiro Sake Brewery in Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture, is one of the largest and most famous sake producers in the Tohoku Region. Founded in 1850, it has been a family owned business for eight generations. Suehiro's sake is famous throughout Japan and annually wins domestic and international awards. Their premium sake is produced using the traditional "Yamahai" method which utilizes slow open-fermentation to produce a full, complex flavor.
Besides traditional sake the brewery's extensive catalog also includes less conventional products such as sparkling sake and a sake bath extract.
While sake is usually aged less than a year before it is sold, Suehiro Brewery keeps a small number of bottles produced each year in reserve. These are allowed to further age in a temperature controlled environment, where the flavor continues to develop and mature.
Suehiro Brewery is the official sake supplier of Toshogu Shrine in Nikko and some sumo and kabuki events, and it has been featured in a number of movies and TV dramas.
Among the many important figures associated with the brewery is Dr. Hideyo Noguchi, whose picture is on the 1000 yen bill thanks to his groundbreaking achievements in medical research. He was close friends with Suehiro's owners and many of his letters and pictures can be viewed at the brewery.
Suehiro Brewery is open to visitors, and offers hourly guided tours (with a break at noon). The tour includes a walk through the brewing areas with explanations of the sake making process, a small museum with displays of the brewery's history and the history of sake making, and a visit to the factory store with a tasting bar where you can sample from and buy nearly their entire product line.
There is also a small concert hall at the brewery that occasionally hosts various performances, especially jazz, by Japanese and foreign artists.
Lastly, the brewery has a small museum that houses the largest private collection of film cameras in Japan. There are over 500 cameras displayed ranging from early medium format cameras to the first SLRs and modern point and shoots, including a few novelty cameras.
Getting there and around
Hours and Fees
Hours
9:30 to 16:30
Closed
No closing days
Admission
Free
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Hotels around Aizu
Top rated in Aizu
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TagotoTagoto features a hot public bath, Japanese-style and Western rooms and Japanese cuisine, a 5-minute drive from Aizu Wakamatsu Station. It offers free Wi-Fi throughout the propert and free parking is on-site. Japanese-style rooms have a tatami (woven-straw) floor and traditional futon bedding, while Western rooms come with beds and an en suite bathroom. All rooms are air-conditioned and fitted with an LCD TV and a fridge. The restaurant offers local specialities, including the regionfs signature meppameshi rice dish and an Aizu Kaiseki multi-course dinner. Tagoto is a 7-minute drive from Tsuruga Castle and a 10-minute drive from Mount Iimori. The Noguchi Hideyo Memorial Museum is a 30-minute drive.View on Booking.com -
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OokawasoFeaturing free WiFi and a restaurant, Okawaso offers accommodation in Aizuwakamatsu, 13 km from Aizu Higashiyama Onsen. Each room at this ryokan is air conditioned and comes with a TV. The rooms include a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find slippers and a hairdryer. You will find free shuttle service at the property. Guests can enjoy seasonal Japanese and Western-style buffet spread breakfast and dinner. Mount Iimori is 16 km from Okawaso, while Aizuwakamatsu Castle is 14 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki3.7 km from Mount Iimori in Aizuwakamatsu, Kutsurogijuku Chiyotaki provides accommodation with access to a hot spring bath, public bath and open-air bath. There is an in-house restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, a lift and luggage storage for guests. The ryokan features some units with mountain views, and each unit includes a private bathroom. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Aizuwakamatsu Station is 4.9 km from the ryokan, while Kitakata Station is 25 km from the property. Fukushima Airport is 73 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Kutsurogijyuku ShintakiSituated in Aizuwakamatsu, 3.8 km from Mount Iimori, Kutsurogijyuku Shintaki provides accommodation with a hot spring bath, a public bath and an open-air bath. There is an in-house restaurant, plus free private parking and free WiFi are available. The accommodation features a lift, full-day security and luggage storage for guests. The units in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bidet in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Guests are welcome to unwind in the on-site lounge, while a minimarket is also available. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. You can play table tennis at this 3-star ryokan. An indoor play area is also available for guests at the ryokan. Aizuwakamatsu Station is 5.1 km from Kutsurogijyuku Shintaki, while Kitakata Station is 26 km from the property. Fukushima Airport is 74 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Marumine Kanko HotelLocated in Ashinomaki Onsen, kJ̏h쉹 provides air-conditioned rooms with private open-air hot spring bath. The property is situated 16 km from central Aizuwakamatsu and Aizuwakamatsu Castle is 14 km from kJ̏h쉹. Ouchijuku, featuring traditional buildings is 14 km from the property. The ryokan features a public hot spring bath, open-air hot spring bath and sauna. Free shuttle service to Ashinomaki Station is available. Luggage storage is available for guest's convenience. The rooms in the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV. kJ̏h쉹 offers certain units that feature a balcony, and every room comes with an electric kettle. All units will provide guests with a fridge. Certain rooms feature Simmons mattresses. A traditional kaiseki (multi-course) dinner is served at the dining area. A buffet breakfast or Japanese-style breakfast is served each morning at the property.View on Booking.com -
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Onyado TohoSet in Aizuwakamatsu, 500 metres from Aizu Higashiyama Onsen, Onyado Toho features free WiFi access and free private parking. Free shuttle service is available from Aizuwakamatsu Station to the hotel on a first-come, first-served basis. You will find a kettle in the room. All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find slippers, free toiletries and a hairdryer. You will find shops at the property. Mount Iimori is 2.4 km from Onyado Toho, while Aizuwakamatsu Castle is 2.6 km away.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Route-Inn AizuwakamatsuOnly a 5-minute drive from JR Aizuwakamatsu Train Station, Hotel Route-Inn Aizuwakamatsu features simple modern accommodations and a free-breakfast for all guests. Free wired internet is available in all rooms and you can refresh in the spacious public baths. Contemporary rooms are furnished with amenities from a flat-screen TV and a fridge, to nightwear and toiletries. An air humidifier and an extra pillow are available on request. A coin-operated launderette is on-site. Guests can relax in the massage chairs and use the free-use computers. The free breakfast buffet is available from 06:45-09:00 at the dining area. Hana-Hana-Tei serves Japanese favourites and sake from 18:00-22:00 (last order at 21:30, closed Sundays). Aizuwakamatsu Route-Inn Hotel is a 10-minute drive from Tsururga Castle and a 30-minute drive from Lake Inawashiro. Sazaedo is a 5-minute drive away.View on Booking.com -
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Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Higashiyama Grand Hotel6.2 km from Aizuwakamatsu Station in Aizuwakamatsu, Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Higashiyama Grand Hotel features accommodation with access to a sauna, hot spring bath and public bath. Featuring free private parking, the 3-star ryokan is 4.9 km from Mount Iimori. The accommodation offers luggage storage space and a housekeeping service for guests. The units in the ryokan are fitted with a kettle. There is a private bathroom with bath in some units, along with slippers, a hair dryer and free toiletries. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Guests at the ryokan can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Kitakata Station is 27 km from Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Higashiyama Grand Hotel, while Ouchi-juku is 33 km from the property. The nearest airport is Fukushima Airport, 75 km from the accommodation.View on Booking.com -
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Aizuwakamatsu Washington HotelA 5-minute walk from JR Aizuwakamatsu Train Station, Aizuwakamatsu Washington Hotel offers accommodations with free Wi-Fi. Massages can be requested for an extra cost and guests can enjoy refreshments at the hotelfs cafe. The air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen satellite TV, a fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags. Japanese Yukata robes and toothbrush sets are provided for all guests. The en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. Luggage storage is provided at the front desk. Free parking is available and photocopying services are provided for an extra cost. Washington Hotel Aizuwakamatsu is a 10-minute drive from Tsuruga Castle and a 5-minute drive from Sazaedo Shrine. The foot of Mount Iimori is a 25-minute walk away.View on Booking.com -
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Niko RyokanLocated 3.8 km from Mount Iimori, Niko Ryokan offers accommodation in Aizuwakamatsu with access to a hot spring bath. This 2-star ryokan offers a 24-hour front desk and a shared lounge. The ryokan provides rooms with air conditioning, free private parking and free WiFi. At the ryokan, all units come with a desk and a TV. At the ryokan, all units are equipped with a shared bathroom with bathrobes and slippers. The ryokan is located in a geothermal area, with a number of hot springs nearby for guests to relax in. Aizuwakamatsu Station is 5 km from the ryokan, while Kitakata Station is 26 km away. The nearest airport is Fukushima Airport, 74 km from Niko Ryokan.View on Booking.com
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