Explore Ide Sake Brewery: Traditional Sake Craftsmanship with Mt. Fuji's Pure Spring Water
Due to Mount Fuji's massive size and the scattered tourist spots around its base, planning an efficient itinerary can be quite challenging for visitors. I remember when I first visited the Mount Fuji area, I wasn't able to efficiently visit the surrounding attractions, which left me feeling like I hadn't fully experienced what the region had to offer.
As a result, tours that offer an efficient and immersive way to experience the Mount Fuji area are gaining popularity. Private tours led by guides who know the Mount Fuji region inside and out are especially in demand, as they're known for allowing small groups to fully enjoy both the cultural and natural attractions around the mountain.
Magical Trip, which boasts having the #1 rated tour of 2024, launched a new tour in November 2024 called "Mt. Fuji Full-day Nature Guided Tour with a Private Chartered Car." On this tour, a driver and an expert local guide take you to carefully selected must-see spots around Mt. Fuji while explaining the local culture and traditions.
Since the tour starts and ends at your Tokyo hotel, you can explore the Mt. Fuji area hassle-free. If you're interested in Mt. Fuji but don't have time for an extended stay in the area, consider this efficient sightseeing tour.
Introduction
Around Mt. Fuji, Japan's iconic symbol and the nation's highest mountain known worldwide, stretches untouched nature including forests and highlands. The area surrounding Mt. Fuji features numerous scenic spots offering views of the mountain, making it a popular tourist destination attracting visitors from both Japan and abroad.
The Mt. Fuji area is blessed with natural springs formed from melted snow, and these springs flowing year-round into nearby ponds and parks have made the region a famous tourist attraction. In this area surrounding Mt. Fuji, there is a sake brewery that utilizes this spring water to produce exceptional Japanese sake.
Today, we introduce "Ide Sake Brewery," known as a prestigious sake brewery that continues to produce some of the finest sake in the Mt. Fuji area.
Ide Sake Brewery: The Only Sake Brewery in the Fuji Five Lakes Region
Ide Sake Brewery is the only sake brewery in the Fuji Five Lakes (Fujigoko) region, located in Kawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi Prefecture. Sake production began in 1850 when the 16th generation owner recognized the potential of Mt. Fuji's spring water.
Located near Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Fuji Five Lakes and a popular tourist destination, the brewery has become a famous attraction among international tourists visiting Mt. Fuji. To accommodate international visitors, the brewery has English-speaking guides available.
The brewery welcomes 10,000 tourists annually, offering brewery tours and sake tasting experiences.
Origins in Soy Sauce Brewing from the Mid-Edo Period (Around 1700)
source:Official website
Ide Sake Brewery is a sake brewery located near Lake Kawaguchi, one of the Fuji Five Lakes. Known as the only sake brewery in the Fuji Five Lakes area, it originated as a soy sauce and miso brewing factory established in the mid-Edo period (around 1700).
The Kawaguchi Lake area has historically been known for soybean cultivation, which was used to produce soy sauce and miso. Full-scale sake brewing began later, during the late Edo period (around 1850).
Sake production commenced due to the ideal brewing conditions: the cool climate at 850 meters above sea level and the abundant spring water from Mt. Fuji's melted snow. Today, it is recognized as one of Yamanashi Prefecture's leading sake breweries.
What is "Sake" produced by Ide Sake Brewery?
As the only sake brewery in the Fuji Five Lakes region, Ide Sake Brewery has been using Mount Fuji's pristine snowmelt water to produce high-quality sake since the Edo period. They primarily produce pure rice sake (junmai genshu), using only rice grown in Yamanashi.
Sake is an alcoholic beverage made by fermenting and filtering rice, rice koji (fermented rice), and water. The alcohol content is strictly regulated by the National Tax Agency's Liquor Tax Law, which stipulates it must be less than 22%.
Ide Sake Brewery is renowned for producing quality sake, with their "Kai no Kaiun" being particularly popular as their signature sake.
The Famous "Kai no Kaiun"
source:Official website
The most popular sake at Ide Sake Brewery is "Kai no Kaiun." "Kai" is the historical name for Yamanashi Prefecture, and "Kaiun" means "good luck" in English.
With an alcohol content between 16% and 17%, it has a lower alcohol content than typical sake, making it perfect for first-time sake drinkers. It features an elegant aroma and a well-balanced, enjoyable taste that doesn't become overwhelming.
Kai no Kaiun is best enjoyed alongside delicious food. Its balanced combination of sweetness, umami, and acidity makes it an excellent cooking ingredient that enhances the flavors of dishes.
A Sake Enthusiast's Detailed Explanation of Ide Sake Brewery's "Kai no Kaiun" Secret
The 850-meter Elevation with Cool Climate and Low Airborne Bacteria is Perfect for Low-Temperature Fermentation
Ide Sake Brewery's location in Kawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, sits at an elevation of 850 meters, offering a cool climate with minimal airborne bacteria, creating ideal conditions for the crucial low-temperature fermentation process in sake brewing.
The Kawaguchiko area has always been perfect for sake brewing, not only due to Mount Fuji's spring water but also because of its harsh winter climate. The area's average winter temperature is 2°C in December, with January and February sometimes dropping below freezing.
The low risk of airborne bacterial contamination makes it easier to control temperature during the low-temperature fermentation process of sake production. The ability to provide high-quality sake year-round is due to these perfect conditions.
Clean Mt. Fuji spring water near 1100m elevation
The water used as a base at Ide Sake Brewery comes from Mt. Fuji springs at an altitude of approximately 1,100 meters. This naturally filtered groundwater is also used as tap water in Yamanashi Prefecture.
The spring water from 1,100 meters altitude is suitable for producing high-quality sake, as evidenced by its excellent taste and its approval for use as tap water.
Pure Enough to Use Without Treatment
The water used at Ide Sake Brewery is remarkably pure and can be used without any treatment. At the brewery, water plays a vital role in every step of sake production, from washing rice to fermentation. It's also used for cleaning bottles and various brewing equipment.
Since the water is naturally filtered through Mt. Fuji's lava layers, despite being natural spring water, it requires no sterilization or disinfection before use. This abundant access to pristine water is one of Ide Sake Brewery's greatest strengths.
Low Iron Content with Well-Balanced Minerals
The snowmelt water used at Ide Sake Brewery is characterized by its low iron content and well-balanced mineral composition. Unusually for volcanic spring water, it maintains a consistent cool temperature of 12°C throughout the year.
In recent years, Ide Sake Brewery has ventured into developing various products, including a new challenge in 2020 when they began whiskey production to attract new customers. As a representative brewery of the region, Ide Sake Brewery continues to steadily expand its customer base through these innovative efforts.
3 Must-Buy Recommended Products When Visiting Ide Sake Brewery
"Kai no Kaiun Daiginjo" - The Award-Winning Flagship Product
Source:Official website
The most popular and award-winning flagship product at Ide Sake Brewery is "Kai no Kaiun Daiginjo." This masterpiece showcases the brewmaster's ultimate craftsmanship, featuring a well-balanced, subtle aroma.
With an alcohol content between 15% and 16%, it's relatively mild, making it accessible for first-time sake drinkers. The taste is profound yet refreshing, with fruity notes reminiscent of fresh fruit.
The recommended way to enjoy Kai no Kaiun Daiginjo is chilled. When served below 10°C, it offers an even crisper taste experience.
Price: 180ml ¥968 (tax included)
"Kai no Kaiun Yukigeryu" - Committed to Local Production Using 100% Yamanashi Rice
Source:Official website
"Kai no Kaiun Yukigeryu," one of Ide Sake Brewery's signature sakes, is crafted using 100% locally-sourced rice from Yamanashi Prefecture, demonstrating their commitment to local production and consumption.
This exceptional sake uses carefully cultivated Yamanashi rice, and its label features calligraphy by renowned local artist Kano Watanabe. "Kai no Kaiun Yukigeryu" truly represents the collaborative effort of people who deeply love Yamanashi Prefecture.
Among all sakes produced at Ide Sake Brewery, this is the driest, characterized by its refreshing and fruity palate. It's best enjoyed chilled as an aperitif.
Price: 720ml ¥1,870 (tax included)
"Sake Ice Cream" - A 100% Original Product Made with Special Junmai "Hokurei"
Ide Sake Brewery offers a unique "Sake Ice Cream" made with their special junmai sake "Hokurei." While it looks like ordinary ice cream, it delivers a refreshing sake aroma the moment it touches your tongue.
Despite being made with sake, it's safe for drivers to consume. This exclusive ice cream can only be experienced by visiting Ide Sake Brewery in person.
The ice cream costs ¥350 and is available in both cone and paper cup options. Besides sake ice cream, they also offer matcha, vanilla, and strawberry flavors.
Enjoy Sake Tasting, Brewery Tours, and Custom Label Creation at Ide Sake Brewery!
source:Official website
Ide Sake Brewery offers guided tours twice daily, including sake tasting and brewery tours. During the one-hour brewery tour, visitors can enter the actual sake brewery to learn about the history of sake and how it is produced.
After the brewery tour, visitors can view the main residence and its beautiful garden (exterior only) located within the brewery grounds. The main residence was built as a lodging for the lord of Katsuyama Castle, which was located in Tsuru City, Yamanashi Prefecture. The traditional Japanese house is particularly popular among international tourists.
Following the brewery and residence tour, visitors can sample recommended sake varieties. Those interested can create handwritten original labels to attach to their purchased sake bottles as souvenirs. English-speaking guides are available at the brewery to assist international visitors.
You can join the tour by making a reservation by 4 PM the day before your visit.
Important Notes for Brewery Tours:
- Reservations required by 4:00 PM the day before
- Tour times: Twice daily at 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM
- Duration: Approximately 1 hour
- Garden tours unavailable during rain or snow
- Admission: 1,500 yen for high school students and above, free for junior high school students and younger
- Private label creation: 110 yen plus product cost
Experience Ide Sake Brewery with Magical Trip's "Mt. Fuji Nature meets Culture Tour with a Private Hire Car"
Join Magical Trip's "Mt. Fuji Nature meets Culture Tour with a Private Hire Car" to enjoy various spots in Yamanashi Prefecture, including Ide Sake Brewery, with an English-speaking local guide.
This day trip from Tokyo uses a private car, allowing for flexible scheduling. Besides Ide Sake Brewery, visitors can explore temples with Mt. Fuji views, wasabi farms, and Oshino Hakkai with its beautiful Mt. Fuji spring water.
After touring Yamanashi's famous sites, visitors can freely choose between Ide Sake Brewery, wine tasting venues, and cafes. Visits to Ide Sake Brewery are coordinated with tour times, followed by delicious sake tasting.
The tour can be adjusted according to weather conditions and guest preferences, making it ideal for first-time visitors to Japan.
Meeting point: Shinjuku or your hotel
Tour area: Fujiyoshida City, Kawaguchiko Town, and Oshino Village, Yamanashi Prefecture
Start time: 8:00 AM
