Showa-kura, home to the “Kikizake-dokoro” tasting room, was built in 1931. Its design—featuring a stately roof and white walls—creates a truly imposing and grand atmosphere. In the center, three cedar pillars, each over 55 centimeters in diameter (though one is hidden from view), support the entire building like a “yajirobe” (a traditional Japanese balancing toy).
Sake from every brewery in Saitama Prefecture—which ranks fourth in the nation for sake production—is gathered together in Kawagoe. In addition to a tasting corner featuring paid tasting machines where you can compare different sakes, there is also a “Fermentation Bar” corner stocked with items such as soy sauce and miso.
Business Hours
11:00 AM–7:00 PM
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Sake Breweries in Saitama
These are sake breweries located in Saitama Prefecture. Click on a brand label to view detailed information about the brewery.
Takizawa Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Fukaya City
Maruyama Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Fukaya City
Fujihashi Tosaburo Shoten, Ltd.
Fukaya City
Gonda Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Kumagaya City
Kawabata Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Gyoda City
Yokota Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Gyoda City
Nanyo Brewing Co., Ltd.
Hanyu City
Toa Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Hanyu City
King Brewing Co., Ltd.
Hanyu City
Kamaya Co., Ltd.
Kazo City
Shimizu Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Kazo City
Kanbai Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Kuki City
Ishii Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Satte City
Kitazai Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Ageo City
Seiryu Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Hasuda City
Kamekame Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Hasuda City
Koyama Honke Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Nishi Ward, Saitama City
Uchiki Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Sakura Ward, Saitama City
Otaki Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Minuma Ward, Saitama City
Suzuki Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Iwatsuki Ward, Saitama City
Koyodo Kagamiyama Brewery Co., Ltd.
Kawagoe City
Nagasawa Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Hidaka City
Igarashi Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Hanno City
Asahara Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Moroyama Town
Sato Sake Brewery, Ltd.
Ogoe Town
Seiumu Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Ogawa Town
Matsuoka Brewing Co., Ltd.
Ogawa Town
Fujisaki Sohei Shoten Co., Ltd.
Nagatoro Town
Yokokawa Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
Misato Town
Bukō Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Chichibu City
Yao Honten Co., Ltd.
Chichibu City
The 4 Types of Sake
Based on their taste and aroma, Japanese sakes can be broadly classified into four types. Understanding these four types can help you broaden your enjoyment of sake. For example, each type pairs well with different dishes, and serving the sake chilled or warmed can help bring out its unique flavors.
High fragrance
Fruity type
Common in ginjo and daiginjo sake
Some sake falls into the "nama-zake" or "honjozo" categories.
With its vibrant aroma and refreshing flavor, this style is ideal as an aperitif. It is characterized by bright, crisp notes of fruit and flowers, along with refreshing hints of herbs and citrus, as well as woody and spicy undertones. When served chilled, its refreshing qualities really shine.
Best served chilled or at room temperature
8–12°C, or around 10°C, 10–15°C, etc.
Aged type
Common in aged sake
Some sake also qualifies as junmai sake.
With its refined aroma and rich flavor, this style is ideal as an after-dinner drink. Its distinctive and robust character makes it a perfect match for dishes with strong, rich flavors. Characterized by a light body, refreshing mouthfeel, and fresh taste, this style truly shines when served well-chilled.
Best served chilled
Around 5°C, 5–10°C, etc.
Lightweight type
Common in unpasteurized sake (unpasteurized aged sake)
Some sake falls under the categories of honjozo and junmai.
With its delicate aroma and light, refreshing flavor, this style pairs well with a wide variety of dishes, particularly those with a light umami profile or subtle seasoning. Characterized by its light body, crisp finish, and fresh taste, this style truly shines when served well-chilled.
Best served chilled
Around 5°C, 5–10°C, etc.
Rich and full-bodied
Common in junmai sake
Some sake also falls under the "honjozo" category.
With its rich aroma and full-bodied flavor, this type of sake is ideal for pairing with meals. It pairs well with a wide variety of dishes, particularly those with robust umami flavors. It is best served at a slightly higher temperature to bring out its full umami profile, making it the most suitable type for serving warm.
Best served lukewarm to hot
15–20°C, 40–50°C, 45–50°C, etc.
Low fragrance
Recommended Dishes by Sake Type
Here are our recommended menu items by sake type, available at Koedo Kurazato.
You can enjoy sake paired with specific dishes or simply on its own.
Recommended for those who prefer fruity flavors
This sake features the vibrant, fruity flavor often found in Junmai Daiginjo and Ginjo sakes.
It pairs well with light-flavored seafood and vegetables.
Seasonal Fish Grilled with Sake Lees
Seafood Bowl
Recommended for aged varieties
This sake, often found in long-aged varieties, features a smooth, concentrated flavor profile rich in sweetness and umami. It pairs well with hearty dishes.
Tender braised Kawagoe San'en pork (Taisho-kura "Hasshutei")
Sweet Potato with Syrup
Recommended for those who prefer a light and nimble style
This sake, commonly found in Honjozo and Ginjo varieties, features a mild aroma and a crisp, clean finish.
Enjoy it when you want to fully savor the delicate flavors of your food.
Strained tofu
Hasshutei Ten-zaru Set (Taishozo "Hasshutei")
Recommended for those who prefer a rich, full-bodied flavor
This sake features a robust flavor that highlights the rich umami of rice, a characteristic often found in junmai and junmai genshu sakes.
It pairs well with a wide variety of dishes.
Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (Meiji Kura "KuraCafe")
Kawagoe Red Sweet Potato Meal (Taisho-zo "Hasshu-tei")
Tasting Comparison
Located within Kawagoe’s famous tourist spot “Koedo Kurazato,” the “Kikizake-dokoro” brings together local sake from Saitama Prefecture, which boasts the fourth-highest sake production volume in Japan. It’s a popular spot where you can casually enjoy a diverse selection of brands carefully crafted by breweries across the prefecture. In the tasting corner, which uses coin-operated machines, you can sample sake starting with just one special coin.From dry to sweet, and from fruity aromas to rich, full-bodied flavors, you can find your perfect cup among the wide selection. Since you can experience the unique characteristics and flavor differences of each brewery, the experience satisfies everyone from beginners to connoisseurs. Another attraction is the opportunity to experience the depth of sake culture alongside the historic streets of Kawagoe. Why not stop by during your sightseeing trip and take your time savoring the charm of Saitama’s local sake?
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Kikusen Junmai Sake
Takizawa Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Lightweight type
Traditional Brewing
Kim Dae-sung Masamune
Maruyama Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Special Junmai Sake
Castle Ruins Banquet · Special Junmai Sake
Fujihashi Tosaburo Shoten, Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Special Junmai Sake
Naomi Special Junmai Sake
Gonda Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Masukawa · Junmai Sake
Kawabata Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Fruity type
Junmai sake
Nihonbashi · Junmai Sake
Yokota Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Ai no Sato Junmai Sake
Nanyo Brewing Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Special Junmai Sake
Harukiku · Special Junmai Sake
Toa Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Standard Sake
Jōsen Kinro: Standard Sake
King Brewing Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Sumo Wrestler · Junmai Sake
Kamaya Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Kikkō Hanabishi Junmai Sake
Shimizu Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Fruity type
Junmai Ginjo
Kanbai Junmai Ginjo "Sake Musashi"
Kanbai Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Toyoake Junmai Sake
Ishii Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Bunraku・Kimoto Junmai Sake
Kitazai Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Seiryu Junmai Sake
Seiryu Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Shinkame Junmai Sake
Kamekame Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Fruity type
Junmai Ginjo
Kinmon Sekai-taka Junmai Ginjo
Koyama Honke Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Asahi Masamune Junmai Sake
Uchiki Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Kokonoe Sakura Junmai Sake
Otaki Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Otemon · Junmai Sake
Suzuki Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai Genshu
Koedo Junmai Genshu
Koyodo Kagamiyama Brewery Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Koryo-O Junmai Sake
Nagasawa Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Tenranzan Junmai Sake
Igarashi Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Fruity type
Junmai Ginjo
Biwa no Sasami Junmai Ginjo Take
Asahara Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Ogo Ume-bayashi Junmai Sake
Sato Sake Brewery, Ltd.
Fruity type
Junmai Ginjo
Junmai Ginjo: Handcrafted Seium
Seiumu Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Fruity type
Junmai Ginjo
Teimatsu Junmai Ginjo
Matsuoka Brewing Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Hakusen-zan Haikai Junmai Sake (Ogi)
Fujisaki Sohei Shoten Co., Ltd.
Fruity type
Daiginjo
Tenjin Daiginjo Nama-zake
Yokokawa Sake Brewery Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Junmai sake
Bukō Masamune Junmai Sake
Bukō Shuzo Co., Ltd.
Rich and full-bodied
Special Junmai Sake
Chichibu Nishiki Special Junmai Sake
Yao Honten Co., Ltd.