Suehiro Sake Brewery

A Sake Brewery committed to "Aizu"

Nearby Ryokans

What is Suehiro Sake Brewery?

Suehiro Sake Brewery is a historic sake brewery located in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. Founded in 1850 at the end of the Edo period, the brewery has supported Aizu’s local sake culture for over 170 years. During the Meiji period, it was also the first brewery in Fukushima Prefecture to implement “sake brewing by a master brewer.” Aizuwakamatsu is a castle town in western Fukushima Prefecture, blessed with a cool climate and abundant spring water, making it ideal for sake brewing.

Suehiro Sake Brewery is committed to “Aizu’s local sake,” using rice and water grown in Aizu, and its master brewers brew sake in accordance with the local climate.

Free brewery tours are held every 30 minutes. In addition to the storehouse where the master brewer prepares the sake, the brewery also houses the Kura Museum, where sake-making tools are displayed, and the cafe Anzu.

Highlights of Suehiro Sake Brewery

The highlights of the Kaei Brewery tour are the historic brewery building and the knowledge you gain about sake. Learning about how sake is made and its history will make tasting sake feel a whole new level.

Inside the three-story wooden building, the rich scent and warmth of wood showcase the beauty of traditional Japanese architecture. At the same time, the high open ceiling—rare in such structures—creates a striking, photo-worthy space. During the brewery tour, visitors can observe the sake-making process up close and enjoy tastings of signature brands such as Suehiro and Genzai, along with seasonal limited editions.

At the “brewery shop,” staff will ask your preferences and recommend brands, so even those who aren’t good at choosing sake can rest assured.

Cafe Anzu is a renovated storehouse called Anzugura, and serves sake brewery-style dishes such as coffee brewed with the brewery’s brewing water, sweet sake made with sake lees, and Daiginjo chiffon cake. Even those who don’t drink alcohol or are driving keeper will be happy to find a relaxing break in this stately building and calm atmosphere.

How to Enjoy / Recommended Activities

Kaei-gura is conveniently located for a stop on your way around town, so it’s recommended to combine a visit with other tourist spots.

Take the city loop bus “Haikara-san” from Aizu-Wakamatsu Station and stroll around Tsuruga Castle and Oyakuen Garden. Afterwards, walk through the retro streets of the castle town and Nanokamachi Street to Suehiro Sake Brewery Kaei-gura.

Guided brewery tours are held from 10:00 to 16:00. No advance reservations are required, so sign up on the spot and learn about how sake is brewed and the differences in sake rice. After your lesson, you’ll be able to enjoy a free tasting. After learning, you’ll be able to notice even the smallest differences in taste.

After your tour, shop at the shop. Currently, most of Suehiro Sake Brewery’s brewing is carried out at a different brewery, so only a small amount of sake is brewed at Kaei Brewery. This Kaei Brewery-exclusive sake is available exclusively at this shop.

Relax after a long day of walking around town at the attached cafe, An. The coffee, brewed with water also used to brew sake, is renowned for its smooth taste. Enjoy a relaxing tea break in a modern Japanese space. The brewery’s signature sweets include sake lees amazake, rich in the aroma of fermentation, and chiffon cake made with daiginjo sake lees.

Popular menu items are also available for purchase at the online shop. Don’t worry if you forget to buy souvenirs!