Sawanoi Sake
SAWANOI SAKE
Located in Ome City, one should take the time to stop by Ozawa Shuzo’s Sawanoi Sake before or after a weekend exploration in Okutama.
The oldest sake brewery in the Tokyo region, Ozawa Shuzo was founded in 1702 set amidst the backdrop of Mitake valley and its stunning mountain-scape, whilst using the beautiful clear water abundant in the area for their sake production.
Their flagship brand Sawanoi Sake is named after the location of the Sawai area.
It’s a perfect spot for a daytrip from Tokyo (or as part of your Okutama adventures) to spend a day relaxing in their Sawanoien garden area whilst enjoying the tranquil, relaxing scenes of the vibrant turquoise waters . One can enjoy snacks, coffee, sake and other alcohol from their Snack Shop on the open terrace area. If you fall in love with any produce you’ve tried, never fear there’s a souvenir shop available with their sake, food products and delicious yuba to take home.
Within the grounds one can also spend the time exploring the two museums, the Kushi Kanzashi Museum which features over 4000 pieces of traditional hair accessories, clothing, accessories, living products throughout Japan’s history and the Gyokudo Museum which showcases the work of the acclaimed master Gyokudou Kawai who specialised in Japan style painting. You can find their websites HERE and HERE respectively.
They also offer a free sake brewery tour (which you must reserve in advance) which goes for about 30mins showcasing not only the brewery but the sake making process as well. Its only in Japanese but there’s an English brochure available. You can reserve HERE. Unfortunately we didn’t do it, as it didn’t align with our schedule & I had already been on several brewery tours with my travel work.
KANZANJI TEMPLE
Opposite from the main complex, walk across the river’s suspension bridge (which offers breathtaking views of the river and mountains) to discover the sweet local temple of Kanzanji which was built in 1930.
A charming little temple, up a flight of stone steps, one can appreciate the antique local treasures inside along with a decorated ceiling of traditional Japanese motifs.
SAKE TASTING
From 10.30AM - 4.30PM, one can enjoy several sake tastings of your own choice upstairs, above the souvenir and snack shop.
More than 10 types of sake are on offer to try, with prices ranging from 200 - 500JPY. For an extra small charge (memory serves 200JPY?) you can try all your tastings in a delightful sake porcelain cup with the Sawanoi Sake crab logo & then take it home when you’re finished.
MAMERAKU
Where there’s wonderfully clear, pure, pristine water in Japan (normally near mountains, onsen towns, etc) one can generally find the most delicious sake, soba, wasabi and especially tofu and yuba dishes (a definite fave of both hubby & I)
There are 2 tofu restaurants in the premises which offer variations of a tofu kaiseki/teishoku lunch sets.
Mamagotoya is the more high end, kaiseki style tofu restaurant (reservations recommended), website here.
Whilst Mameraku is the more casual, affordable tofu restaurant which was absolutely divine in it’s dishes & variations of sets you can choose! Would definitely return to eat here, however I still want to try Mamagotoya too! Website here.
ACCESS
SHINJUKU STATION (via the JR OME LINE “RAPID SERVICE”) - OME STATION
OME STATION (change/stay on board for JR OME LINE “LOCAL SERVICE”) - SAWAI STATION
