How to Tour Local Sake in Chichibu

Tucked away in the lush mountains and flowing rivers of Saitama lies a peaceful little city steeped in tradition with an appreciation for and dedication to creating sake, wine, whisky, and beer for the enjoyment of others.  Perhaps you’ll notice the air here is a bit more enticing than other places or the water tastes a little more refreshing.  This is a place where nature and tradition join together, creating a truly unique environment.

Welcome to Chichibu!

Chichibu is quite easy to get to from Tokyo, just make sure to reserve a seat on the ‘Laview’ limited express train from Ikebukuro Station to Seibu-Chichibu Station.  This train runs approximately once every hour, so there are lots of time options available.  Once you catch your train, just sit back and enjoy the changing scenery along the 80 min. journey, from cityscapes to mountainous countryside spotted with traditional Japanese buildings.

After arriving at the station make a quick stop at Chichibu Shrine to pray for good fortune.  This colorful shrine has a 2100 year-long history. Within the shrine grounds you’ll find four sculptures in the main hall including a chained dragon, family of tigers, owl of wisdom, and three cheerful monkeys, as well as Japanese gardens.

Be sure to purchase a special water fortune before leaving the shrine. This fortune is uniquely designed so it can only be seen once it’s dipped in water.  This shrine is also associated with academic studies so if you are studying something new you can pick up an amulet to help you achieve your goals.

Bukou Brewery

Our next stop is Bukou Brewery, just a 15 min. walk from Seibu-Chichibu Station.  This sake brewery is immersed in tradition, with a history spanning 260 years starting when it first began operation in 1753.  The building itself has been designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property, as it is over 200 years old and is the oldest building in Chichibu.

At Bukou Brewery they use traditional methods to hand-brew the highest-quality sake.  Before visiting, be sure to book a tour of the brewery (limited spaces available) so you can learn the process of brewing sake and experience everything up close.  The tour starts in the shop where you are surrounded by bottles of various flavors of sake, each one carefully prepared.  Some of the varieties are only available during certain seasons so there’s always something new to find.

After looking round the shop, you’ll go inside to the well where you can see the mineral-rich water from Mt. Bukou, the lifeblood of Bukou’s sake, flowing into the brewery.  Then you’ll move to the boiler room and rice-cleaning mill, where you can see how they continue to prepare everything by hand. After you’ve learned all about sake and the brewing process, you will head over to the tasting area. They have several types of sake available to try, and the master can recommend the perfect one based on your tastes.

Bukou Brewery has won several awards, including the gold prize and excellence prize for its sake.  From the finest selection of finest hand-brewed sake, to the friendly master who will help you find the perfect bottle to complement your occasion (whether it’s a special meal or an everyday event), this is one brewery you definitely need to visit while in Japan.

Usagida Winery

Let’s move on to a local winery where you can walk through the vineyards filled with only the highest-quality grapes, and end off with sampling of your preferred wines.  Usagida Winery uses 100% locally grown grapes to make all of its wines, and even won the 2020 Saitama new product grand prize for its red ‘Yuki’ wine.

This winery is located near “Fruit Road,” an area filled with many farms growing grapes, strawberries, and blueberries.  Just down the road from the winery is  a restaurant where you can also sample the wine, or enjoy a glass with your meal.  Try out Chichibu’s specialty ‘Waraji Katsudon’ a breaded pork cutlet on rice and pair it with a delicious glass of Usagida red wine.

Chichibu Townscape

While you’re in the area let’s take a look at the Chichibu Furusato-kan (Hometown Hall) where you can try making crafts, purchase locally made goods or dress up in rental kimonos before taking a stroll around the town.  The building dates back to the 1920s and is designated as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property.

Chichibu is also famous for its unique silk textile known as Chichibu Meisen, which you can see many examples of while walking through the town.  Chichibu Meisen became widely popular in the early 1900s and is available in many colors in three styles: plain, stripe, and patterned.  In 2013 it was designated as a Traditional Craft of Japan.

If you are interested in learning more about this traditional Japanese silk textile and how it’s made, or if you’d like to try your hand at making it, be sure to drop in at the Chichibu Meisen Museum.

BAR Te Airigh

Our next stop is a whisky lover’s paradise, Bar Te Airigh (the pronunciation is similar to ‘cherry’).  Here you can find over 700 different varieties of whisky from all over the world and many varieties of local Chichibu whisky including 50 types of Ichiro’s Malt as well as limited and rare bottles.

Te Airigh has also paired up with a pâtissier to create the perfect desserts to complement a glass of whisky.  These cakes are created with seasonal fruits or chocolate and whisky to reflect the changing seasons.  The pub owner speaks English and is more than happy to help you find the perfect whisky.

Highlander Inn Chichibu

Our final pub on this trip is the Highlander Inn Chichibu, where British pub meets traditional Japanese style izakaya.  Relax with a glass of Chichibu’s local whisky while enjoying a plate of fish and chips or shepherd’s pie.  The menu consists of a variety of dishes, including authentic Scottish cuisine.

Inside the pub is a traditional tatami (straw-mat) room as well as a small courtyard and a whisky cellar ‘kura bar’.  The atmosphere of the pub changes with each room you set foot in and is guaranteed to add a bit of charm to your trip.

Souvenirs

Before leaving Chichibu take a look around Matsuri no Yu, right next to Seibu-Chichibu Station, which was designed to resemble a hot spring with the atmosphere.  The building is separated into three sections: the hot spring, food court, and shops.The hot spring contains both indoor and outdoor baths as well as a relaxation center.

Keeping with the local festival atmosphere, at the food court you can try many local delicacies such as soba and udon noodles, hormone (fried beef or pork offal), gelato, and miso potato in a bright and welcoming environment.  In the shops they sell many locally made products such as Chichibu Meisen silk textiles, face masks and cosmetics made using sake, colourful chocolates and fruit jellies wrapped in decorative patterns, and various types of alcohol.

If you’re searching for a traditionally packaged Japanese sake pick up a mini taruzake ‘cask sake’ or one of the beautifully designed bottles of alcohol.

Chichibu is surrounded by nature and offers visitors a chance to enjoy the wonders of nature throughout the year.  What better way could there be to celebrate the seasons to enjoy the gifts of nature while savoring the subtle differences in flavour of seasonal sake?

This area is filled with many shops and pubs where you can relax and get to know the exquisite taste of Japanese liquor.  Take a tour to find the perfect and suitable flavours for you. Chichibu has so much to offer for creating unforgettable memories.

<Links>

Chichibu Kanpai Republic (available in Japanese only – contains many pictures)

https://www.chichibu-omotenashi.com/kanpai/

An Introduction to Chichibu’s Culture

https://en.chocotabi-saitama.jp/ichioshi/model_c/bunkazai/chichibu/

Chichibu Highlights

https://en.chocotabi-saitama.jp/magazine?area%5B%5D=chichibu#magazine_list