Sake and History at this Remarkable Brewery

A sublime brand of sake is brewed from locally sourced ingredients in this historic building.

Hachinohe Shuzo is a prominent brewery in Aomori that brews world-renowned sake. It is also heralded for its traditional wooden main building and red-brick warehouses—a perfect fusion of Japanese and Western building styles. All six of the buildings were constructed during the Taisho era (1912-1926), and have been designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties by the Japanese government and important landscape architecture by Hachinohe City.

Brewed from locally sourced rice, and pristine local water, the brewery’s brand Mutsu Hassen has received both domestic and international awards. It is known for its refreshing, sweet flavor, and is a perfect companion to almost any type of cuisine.

Tours that explain the brewing process and the history of this brewery are available with advance booking, and tasting sessions can be arranged for a small additional charge.

Access: From Tokyo Station, take the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen to Hachinohe Station (2 hrs. 45 min.) From Hachinohe Station, take the Hachinohe Line to Mutsu-Minato Station (14 min.).

Contribution to Sustainability

This traditional brewery contains six buildings, built between 1912 and 1926, that are now designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties. The Hachinohe Shuzo Company supports the region’s cultural heritage by hosting exhibitions and concerts in other buildings not used for sake production.