Private Sake Tasting and Gallery Tour at the Brewery of Noguchi Naohiko, the “God of Sake Brewing”

Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute Set in a Nature-Rich Location

Located in a serene mountain village surrounded by nature, the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute is just an hour’s drive from Kanazawa, in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It was established to preserve the legacy of Naohiko Noguchi, a master brewer hailed as the "god of sake brewing," and honors his groundbreaking contributions to the sake industry. Selected as a master brewer at just 28, Noguchi’s innovative techniques have transformed sake brewing, making him a revered figure in the field.

Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute, located in a mountain village rich in nature

The institute was established in 2017, and serves as an experimental space to foster innovation and explore the future of sake, all while reflecting Noguchi's vision and dedication.

Rolling green mountains and open countryside

When establishing the sake brewery, Noguchi placed great importance on water. He believed that the key to great sake is delicious water. The underground water that flows from Mt. Hakusan springs up continuously in Kanagasomachi, and it was this exceptional water that led Noguchi to choose this location for his brewery.

A Lifelong Passion for Sake

Noguchi, still active at over 90 years old, is a renowned master brewer. Born and raised on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, he began his journey in sake brewing at 16. He became the head brewer at the famous Kikuhime Brewery at a young age and has spent over 70 years crafting sake with the goal of "making people happy." His sake has earned widespread acclaim, winning the gold medal 27 times at the National New Sake Tasting Competition, including 12 consecutive years.

Noguchi Naohiko, one of Japan's top master brewers

Noguchi is also the toji (master brewer) who revived the traditional sake brewing method "Yamahai-shikomi (or ‘jikomi’)." This fermentation technique uses natural lactic acid bacteria, resulting in a sake with a deep, complex flavor. Although it had declined due to the time and effort required, Noguchi’s skill and passion have successfully brought it back to life.

What Noguchi values most is hearing people say, "It's delicious" when they drink his sake. Driven by that simple compliment, he tirelessly challenges himself in the world of sake brewing, dedicating his life to perfecting it.

Rice, yeast, water—crafted with care and attuned to nature every step of the way

Though Noguchi is a master of sake brewing, he cannot drink alcohol himself. This has only strengthened his commitment to creating sake that others will enjoy. To compensate for his lack of personal perspective, he listens carefully to experts and drinkers, using their feedback to refine his brewing process. Even today, guests at the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute are asked to share their impressions, which Noguchi reads carefully and uses to further improve his sake.

Written feedback from visitors supports and inspires the sake brewing process

A Look at Masterful Sake Brewing Through Glass

Inside the museum, a gallery showcases Noguchi's life and achievements. A timeline on one wall traces his journey as a master brewer, allowing visitors to follow the evolution of sake brewing through Noguchi's work, step by step.

A timeline tracing Noguchi's history

The gallery displays tools and notebooks that Noguchi personally used. Each item reflects his dedication to sake brewing and the techniques he's perfected over the years.

Notebooks handwritten by Noguchi over the years

From the gallery, you can view the brewing room through a window. The room is filled with tanks, and during the winter brewing season (November to March), you can see the sake-making process up close. Depending on the time of day, you might also catch the brewers working together as a team.

A large photo of Noguchi is on the brewing room wall, as if watching over the brewers

A Tasting Room with Views of the Rural Landscape

At the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute’s tasting room, Touan, you can enjoy a special sake and snack pairing while taking in the stunning rural scenery throughout the seasons. Set at a peaceful four-and-a-half-tatami mat counter that evokes a traditional teahouse, this space offers a luxurious experience where you can savor Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute’s sake paired with carefully selected snacks from the three Hokuriku prefectures.

Enjoy a special time savoring sake with a picturesque landscape as your backdrop

During the tasting, you’ll also be served "Yawaragi-mizu," the same water used in the sake production process, added to the rice and koji. It's said that chasing sake with an equal amount of water helps balance the palate, allowing you to fully enjoy its delicate flavors.

Yawaragi-mizu poured from Suzu ware pottery

The quality of brewing water is crucial to the taste of sake, which is why Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute uses underground water from the melting snow of the Hakusan mountain range in Ishikawa Prefecture. This soft water, filtered through deep underground layers, contains just the right amount of minerals to enhance the sake's rich, mellow flavor.

Taste Five Types of Sake

In this experience, you'll taste five types of sake served in vessels crafted by an artist from Ishikawa Prefecture. The highlight is the "Limited Edition NOGUCHI NAOHIKO 01" series, named after Noguchi himself. This sake, aged and carefully preserved over time, is crafted to be loved worldwide. It was personally selected by Noguchi as the "best lot" and has been expertly aged for several years.

Sake collection from the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute

In the tasting room, you'll have the chance to compare sakes made using Noguchi's signature Yamahai method, experiencing the unique, deep flavors it brings. During the brewing season, you may even taste special sakes available only on-site. For pairing, enjoy a selection of Hokuriku flavors, with snacks featuring seasonal ingredients like "Hakusan Katadofu (firm tofu)" and "Firefly Squid."

Exquisite pairings, carefully poured, one glass at a time

As the venue is private, you can enjoy intimate conversations with the staff while savoring sake and specially selected snacks. There will also be a lecture on how to taste sake, covering aspects like the vessel and temperature, so you can discover new ways to appreciate the drink. During the winter brewing season, there's a chance to meet Noguchi himself.

A Sake Experience That Engages All Five Senses

At the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute, you can explore Noguchi's 70-year journey as a master brewer and the rich tradition of sake brewing. As a private venue, it offers personalized tours and tastings tailored to your preferences, providing a unique opportunity to experience the passion Noguchi pours into his craft.

Sake that reflects Noguchi's vision, paired with beautiful scenery and sake ware.

With the stunning rural scenery and a view of the sake brewing process, the Noguchi Naohiko Sake Institute offers the perfect setting to savor its sake. Lose track of time as you enjoy the charm of fine sake crafted with care by Noguchi.