Yachiya Shuzo

THE STORY

Yachiya's story begins in 1583, when Kamiyachiya Jin'emon came from Owari Province to brew sake for Lord Maeda Toshiie, founder of the Kaga domain.

In 1628, the brewery was given the name Yachiya and its sake the name Kaga Tsuru — combining Kaga, its home, with tsuru, the crane: a symbol of good fortune.

More than four centuries later, Yachiya continues to brew in Kanazawa, carrying this remarkable heritage into each new generation.

THE PLACE

Yachiya's home is Kanazawa, the historic castle town at the heart of the former Kaga domain.

Here, sake is shaped by its surroundings: locally grown rice, the pure waters of the Io-zan water system, and generations of brewing knowledge rooted in Ishikawa.

Even the brewery tells this story. Its main house, sake brewery and tool storehouse are recognised as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties of Japan — preserving a piece of Kanazawa's living heritage.

THE CRAFT

RICE

Yachiya believes that sake brewing begins with rice cultivation. Its local sake is made with Gohyakumangoku grown by farmers around Kanazawa, while its ginjo sake uses prized Yamada Nishiki from Hyogo.

WATER

Yachiya's sake is shaped by the pure water of the Io-zan water system. Slightly soft and gently acidic, this abundant local water has supported sake brewing in Kanazawa for generations.

MASTER BREWER

Yamagishi Shoji brings decades of experience to Yachiya. Recognised as one of Noto's leading master brewers, his sake has earned nine gold medals at Japan's National New Sake Appraisal.