Kuroishi Sake

Kuroishi Sake

History and Background of Kuroishi Sake

In the beginning of Meiji period, the city of Kuroishi was a large rice/grain producer. With quality rice and natural spring water, sake brewing naturally became a thriving industry in Kuroishi. Once there were 11 sake breweries in town. Today, two sake breweries remain on the historic Komise Street, an arcaded street where traditional architecture from the Tokugawa period remains to this day.

Though production volume is small, the sake has gained popularity nationwide as “Kuroishi Sake” for its excellent quality.

The Two Sake Breweries

Nakamura Kamekichi Inc.

Nakamura Kamekichi, Inc.

“Nakamura Kamekichi”, a sake brewery founded in 1913, is named after its original founder. Their most well-known sake “Tamadare”, meaning “droplet”, received its name after a priest from Hirosaki Hongyoji Temple was amazed by the sweetness of a water droplet that fell in his mouth during meditation in a cave.

The Distinctiveness of Nakamura Kamekichi Brewery Sake

The Nakamura Kamekichi Brewery’s building itself is a storied one, as it was once used as a set for the long-running television drama “Inochi” of the NHK broadcasting company. The founder’s name “Kamekichi” is given to one of their sake brands. The particular sake features a dry taste, made with rice produced in the well-known rice region of Kuroishi and underground water from the Southern Hakkoda Mountains.

Kuroishi Sake kamekichi
The No.1 Sugitama in Japan

The Sugitama, an orb made of Japanese cedar, hung from the ceiling of the brewery is known to be the largest in Japan with 2.1 meters in diameter and weighing 1,500 kg.
Sugitama is a symbolic artifact made to worship the god of Sake and also indicate that the latest brew is available.

sugitama
Address
12 Nakamachi Kuroishi, Aomori 036-0377
Tel
0172-52-3361
Open
8:30AM-5:00PM
Access
On Foot
10 minutes on foot from Konan Railway Kuroishi Station
By Bus
Board the Konan Bus “Hirosaki-Toyomaki/Takada-Kuroishi line” or “Onoe line (via Kogano)” at Konan Railway Kuroishi Station and get off at “Nakamachi”.
OR
Board the Kuroishi City Excursion Bus “Puratto Go” (Western Route) at Konan Railway Kuroishi Station and get off at “Nakamachi”.

Narumi Sake Brewery Inc.

Narumi Sake Brewery, Inc.

The Narumi Sake Brewery has its storefront on the historic Komise Street. Established in 1806 during Edo period, it is the oldest sake brewery in Kuroishi city.
The Narumi Sake Brewery’s official store name is “Inamura Ya”, and its featured sake is “Kikunoi”. Created by the second generation head, Bunshiro who treasured kiku, the chrysanthemum. The name “Kikunoi” derives from his idea to place a chrysanthemum branch on the tap to infuse the sake with the fragrance of the flower.

Characteristics of Sake produced by Narumi Sake Brewery

The sake at Narumi Brewery is made with water from the snow of Southern Hakkoda which becomes well water after hundreds of years. The rice and yeast used in their sake are both local products of Aomori prefecture.

Kuroishi Sake kikunoi
A Cultural Heritage to Preserve

The Narumi Sake Brewery also known as the Narumi Residence, has maintained its traditional storefront without any major reconstructions or repair. The brewery was assigned as a cultural heritage of Kuroishi city. The Komise Street was also later assigned as Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings.
The style of the garden that can be seen from the store is Oishi Bugakuryu, a style unique to the Tsugaru region.

narumi_sake
Address
1-1 Nakamati Kuroishi, Aomori 036-0377
Tel
0172-52-3321
Open
8:30AM-5:00PM
Access
On Foot
10 minutes on foot from Konan Railway Kuroishi Station
By Bus
Board the Konan Bus “Hirosaki-Toyomaki/Takada-Kuroishi line” or “Onoe line (via Kogano)” at Konan Railway Kuroishi Station and get off at “Nakamachi”.
OR
Board the Kuroishi City Excursion Bus “Puratto Go” (Western Route) at Konan Railway Kuroishi Station and get off at “Nakamachi”.