Snowmelt from the Daisetsuzan range soaks into the ground and comes back up as springs that feed both the rice paddies and the breweries. The city’s nickname, “Hokkai no Nada”, compares it to Nada, Japan’s most famous brewing district. Three brewers work here today: Otokoyama, Takasago Shuzo and Godo Shusei’s Taisetsu no Kura.[18][19][2]
- Otokoyama
- Takasago
- Taisetsu no Kura
Otokoyama
男山The brewery began in 1887 and in 1968 took over the Otokoyama brand once brewed in Itami in the Edo period. Its sake museum in Nagayama is free, and its spring water, “Water of Long Life”, is free to take, up to 20 L per person. On the second Sunday of February the brewery opens its doors, with new sake to taste.[19][27]
Takasago
髙砂酒造Founded in 1899, Takasago makes the dry Kokushi Musō. Its 1909 Meiji Sakagura building is now the shop, with free tastings, and free brewery tours run at 10:00 and 15:00 for up to 10 people (booking required).[28][29]
