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In the world of Japanese sake, history and heritage often take center stage, and many breweries can boast centuries of history and multiple generations of brewers. However, sake producers come and go, and there are many new kids on the block that are not only shaping what sake can be but also contributing to the culture and reputations of their regions. Here’s a look at five of the newest breweries in no particular order! We aren’t affiliated with any of them.
Kamikawa Daisetsu Sake Brewery – Hokkaido
Way up in the snowy landscapes of the town of Kamikawa, Hokkaido, Kamikawa Daisetsu Sake Brewery is a relative newcomer, having started their brewing in 2017. It’s led by master brewer Shinji Kawabata, a Hokkaido native, and the brewery uses locally grown sake rice varieties like Suisei, Kitashizuku, and Ginpu, along with local water from the Daisetsu Mountains. Their signature product is “Nomasaru Sake,” a Hokkaido dialect term meaning something like “sake so good you can’t stop drinking it.” They have additional facilities in Tokachi and Hakodate, and they’re helping to put Hokkaido, which isn’t a big sake brewing prefecture, on the map.
https://kamikawa-taisetsu.co.jp
Tokyo Hachioji Brewery – Tokyo
A short walk from Hachioji Station in Tokyo is Tokyo Hachioji Craft Sake Brewery: a modern urban sake maker that began operations in recent years. They collaborate with local farmers to cultivate sake rice, and they leverage modern brewing technology to brew sake year-round, which is a departure from the seasonal traditions of older breweries. They were established in 2023.
https://www.tokyo-hachioji-shuzo.jp
Kawazawa Sake Brewing – Kochi
Nestled in the mountainous region of Ino Town’s Kuwaze district, Kawazawa Sake Brewing is a fresh face in Kochi, which is an area with a long history of sake brewing. It was established in 2024 and is the first new brewery in the region in decades. They use water from the Yoshino River system and use the cold winters of the area to their brewing advantage. In naming their bottles, they use unique onomatopoeia to express the sounds of nature in their surroundings.
Lagoon Brewery – Niigata
In Niigata, one of the most famous prefectures for sake, Lagoon Brewery was born in 2021. They produce both clear and nigori craft sake and do their own in-house koji making. Plus, they’re even experimenting with local ingredients like kuromoji (apparently also known as “Japanese rosewood”), strawberries, and tomatoes. They even make a hop sake! The also brewery operates a café and shop on-site.
https://www.lagoon-brewery.com
Kouegiku – Saga
After disappearing in 2006, the historic Saga sake brand Kouegiku was revived in 2019 by two former TV producers with a passion for brewing. Inspired by the refined acidity of Kikuhawk sake, they teamed up with its chief brewer, Katsuaki Yamamoto, to bring the brand back to life. Their first batch launched with tremendous success, and it seems like they’re only doing better and better.
https://www.instagram.com/koueigiku/?hl=en
For sake lovers and newcomers alike, we think these breweries offer a glimpse into the future of Japan’s best drink. As they continue to grow and innovate, they’re ensuring that sake remains a tasty, living tradition.
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