The People’s Sake: Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery Ryokkyu-gura

Launched in 2017 to revitalize the local economy, this brewery is run in cooperation with community volunteers. Kamikawa Taisestu Sake Brewery takes a back to basics approach, making easy-to-drink sake by hand using only koji, Hokkaido rice, and water from the nearby Mount Daisetsu. As sake is only as good as its ingredients, the owners moved the brewery more than 1,500 kilometers from Mie to Kamikawa in search of the best quality rice and water. The inside of the brewery can usually be seen from a handy viewing window. However, the viewing window may be inaccessible during the winter season or when there is a lot of snow.