Founded in 1872 (Meiji 5), Nihon Seishu, known for its "Chitose Tsuru" sake, was born in Sapporo, a city where the water best suited for sake brewing is available.
Since then, Chitose Tsuru has established itself as Sapporo's only sake brewery and a brand of local Sapporo sake, continuing to this day.

The "Chitose Tsuru Sake Museum," which we're introducing today, was created with the desire to widely share this local sake.
Here, we exhibit valuable materials that tell the history of sake brewing and sell our own products.

This Chitose Tsuru Sake Museum has more of the feel of a direct sales shop than a museum.
There's a corner where you can sample sake, so you're sure to find your favorite.
There's also a rest area, creating a welcoming atmosphere that's easy for both adults and children to enter.

Here's a brief introduction to the Chitose Tsuru Sake Museum.

<Contents>
1. Water used for preparation
2. Sake brewing materials exhibition corner & direct sales corner
3. Tasting Counter
4. Rest Area
5. Factory Tour
Final thoughts

Upon entering the Chitose Tsuru Sake Museum, which boasts a modern Japanese exterior, the first thing that greets you is the "brewing water."
This water is groundwater from the nearby Toyohira River, and is drawn up from 150 meters underground after snowmelt from Mt. Moiwa and Mt. Eniwa has flowed for approximately 200 years.

This groundwater is medium-hard water, making it ideal for sake brewing.
Hard water is essential for sake brewing because the minerals in it activate the yeast during the brewing process.

You can sample this water.
Because it's located right at the entrance, almost everyone who visits the museum samples this brewing water before going inside.
Unlike typical spring water, this groundwater isn't ice-cold or soft, so tasting it with the same expectations as drinking spring water feels a bit strange.

The meticulous and time-consuming preparation process is explained using miniatures.
Because it's a really tiny miniature on the middle shelf, you might not notice it if you just glance at it.
The exhibition features tools and bottles once used in sake brewing, as well as promotional posters that evoke a sense of the era.

As a museum, it's quite small, so you might be disappointed if you compare it to other sake breweries.
This place seems to focus primarily on direct sales shops.

Inside the building, you can purchase a variety of Japanese sake, as well as "Yoichi Wine" and "Kotobuki Miso" brewed by the company, and original goods such as Chitosetsuru T-shirts and masu (wooden sake cups).
They also offer seasonal limited-edition sake, brewery-exclusive sake, and a "ride-and-drink" set to celebrate the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen.

In addition, there is also the "Hokkaido Shinkansen H5 Premium Bottle," which comes in two types of bottles: one featuring the lead car of the new train introduced by JR Hokkaido, and the other featuring a passenger car.
The ceramic container is designed to be displayed even after you've finished drinking from it.
Why not take this opportunity to try it?

At the tasting counter, you can sample various brands of sake.
Almost all of the brands available for tasting in the building are available for sampling, although some are subject to a fee.
Even when brewed using the same methods as in Honshu, sake from Hokkaido tends to be light and dry.

This is due to the difference in climate in Hokkaido, and can be considered a unique characteristic of Hokkaido.
Be sure to tell our staff your preferred type, and we'll help you find your favorite from our wide selection of brands.

There is a small rest area inside the Chitose Tsuru Sake Museum.
One thing you absolutely must try here is the "sake lees soft serve ice cream," which is hard to find anywhere else.

The sake lees flavor is surprisingly pronounced, but it's not overpowering, so even those who don't like amazake (sweet rice drink) can enjoy it.

Of course, it contains no alcohol, so drivers and children can enjoy it too.
In addition, they offer great value set menus and coffee brewed with the same water used in sake production, so even those who don't like sake can enjoy themselves.

Across the road from the Chitosetsuru Sake Museum is the Chitosetsuru sake brewery, "Tancho-gura," where you can take a factory tour if you make a reservation for a group of 10 or more people.
They do not offer factory tours for small groups or accept same-day registrations, so groups should make reservations in advance.
Please note that December is the peak season for brewing, so they do not offer factory tours during this time.

[Chitose Tsuru Sake Museum]
address:1-banchi, Minami 3-jo Higashi 5-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo City
Telephone number: 011-221-7570
Opening Hours: Midnight 10 Hours ~ X PM XUMX Hours
Closed on: New Year's holidays
Fee: Free
Parking: 30 minutes free with museum admission. 1 hour free with purchases of 1,000 yen or more.
URL:http://www.nipponseishu.co.jp/museum/

<Conclusion>

This time, we introduced the Chitose Tsuru Sake Museum, operated by Nippon Seishu Co., Ltd.
There are many other sake breweries in Hokkaido.

・"Takara-gawa" by Tanaka Brewery in Otaru
・"Niseko Shuzo's Niseko" located in Niseko
・"Kita no Nishiki" by Kobayashi Brewery, located in Kuriyama Town
・"Kinteki Shuzo's Kinteki" located in Shintotsukawa Town
・"Kokushi Musou" by Takasago Brewery in Asahikawa City
・ "Otokoyama no Otokoyama" in Asahikawa City
・"Daisetsu no Kura" of Godo Shusei, located in Asahikawa City
・"Kunimare" from Kunimare Sake Brewery, located in Mashike Town
・"Fukushi Sake Brewery's Fukushi" located in Kushiro City
・ "Usui no Kita no Katsu" in Nemuro City
※reference:Hokkaido Sake Brewers Association Website

Some other sake breweries accept tours even for small groups, so why not combine your Hokkaido sightseeing with a visit to various sake breweries?

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