Sawada Sake Brewery Tour
Have you ever wondered how sake was brewed during the Edo period or why Tononame, Aichi Prefecture became a sake hub during the time? If so, a visit to Sawada Brewery will answer these questions and more.
Although I have liked sake for a long time, I have recently become even more interested in learning about it. Furthermore, I have become increasingly engrossed in the cultural traditions and crafts of central Japan that are often overlooked by many people traveling in Japan. Although I have tried to share this information with friends and followers as my hobby, I also find it becoming even more important to share these locations as places along the Golden Route experience problems due to overtourism. I think giving people information about other options and helping people become aware is an important thing.
Discovering Sawada Brewery
Sawada Brewery, located near the coast in Tokoname, was built in the 1800s in a reverse L shape to withstand the strong winds that come from Mount Ibuki across Ise Bay. During the Edo Period there were over 200 breweries located on the Chita peninsula. Today, only seven remain.
Adding to its uniqueness, Sawada Brewery is led by a female CEO—the sixth-generation head of the brewery. Kaoru Sawada is not only knowledgeable about her family’s brewery but also the history of sake brewing and the local area. Throughout the time talking with her, I realized that she is very passionate about sharing her love of sake, too. Out of approximately 40 breweries in Aichi, only three have female CEOs. Traditionally, sake production was a male-dominated field, much like sumo and other crafts, but today, women are becoming more involved. Yet, they still make up less than 10% of industry leaders.
Booking a Tour
I booked the tour with the intention of learning more about local sake. Living in Aichi, I have limited knowledge of the region's sake. Until my experience in Tokonome, most of the local sakes that I tried were much sweeter, but I tend to prefer a drier profile.
Tours at Sawada Brewery can be booked online via Jalan or by calling directly. You must make a reservation in advance. Most tours, including the one I attended, are in Japanese, but English tours are sometimes available. The experience is usually expected to last about an hour but can run longer. While the tours could change in the future, the current booking fee ( starting at 1,900 yen per person) includes:
A presentation on sake history and brewery operations
A guided facility tour
A sake tasting session
A small souvenir
The tasting room also has a small bar where visitors can buy a sample or a drink even without participating in the tour. Above the tasting room, there is a small free museum that houses a few unique pieces.
The Tour Experience
The tour starts with an informative presentation about the history of sake in the region, the origins of Sawada Brewery, and sake production methods. While I was familiar with the production process, I learned how local geography and weather influenced production and shipping particular in and before the Edo period. The presentation also delves into the science of brewing and shows the variety of rice types, polish levels, koji, yeast, and amino acids.
Following the presentation, visitors receive hair nets and show covers before entering the production facility. The tour includes stops at the water source, steaming area, koji room, fermentation tanks, and pressing station. As you pass through each area, pay attention to the various shrines. These are dedicated to the different gods related to each process in production. The koji room, which burned down a few years ago, was rebuilt using special wood from northern Japan. Along the tour, parts of the brewery’s original structure are included in the route.
Sake Tasting & Final Thoughts
After the tour, everyone returns to the shop and bar for a tasting session. The menu might change based on the time of year and season. However, my experience included five sake varieties and two umeshu. If I hadn’t planned to visit other places in the areas, I would have bought a few more at the bar. Instead, I picked up several bottles to take home and enjoyed chatting with the staff.
For an engaging and uncrowded sake tour, Sawada Brewery is an excellent choice. Reservations are required, but the experience is one of the best I’ve had in Japan. Check out my other blog on Tokoname to learn about more things to do in the area.
What sake breweries or tours are on your must-visit list?
