Local sake is made using the water and rice of the area, and its flavor reflects the local nature and culture.

Chitosetsuru is a local sake representative of Hokkaido, made using underground water that flows between towering mountains and characterized by its pure, clean taste. Continuing to preserve high quality and reliable traditional techniques, it is known not only in Hokkaido but throughout the country.

The new sake brewery, which opened in 2023 for the first time in 64 years, is located right next to Sapporo's symbolic TV Tower. The Chitosetsuru Sake Museum, built next to the brewery, is a place where you can not only purchase Chitosetsuru products but also learn about the history of the brewery.

Carrying on the tradition

The history of Chitosetsuru dates back to 1872 (Meiji 5). It all began when founder Shibata Yojiemon opened Shibata Sake Brewery on the banks of the Sosei River, which is said to have supported the development of Sapporo. At the time, cloudy sake such as doburoku was popular with Hokkaido Development Commission officials.

Mr. Shibata, who began making sake a few years later, is said to be a pioneer who built the foundation for sake brewing in Hokkaido. Eventually, Shibata Sake Brewery developed with the times, and in 1928 (Showa 3), in response to a government request for industry consolidation, it merged with eight other companies and changed its name to Nihon Seishu Co., Ltd.

Accordingly, the brand name was also unified. The name "Chitosezuru" comes from the proverb "A crane lives for a thousand years, a turtle lives for ten thousand years," and even now, 153 years after its founding, the brewery continues to uphold its tradition of focusing on brewing water. Due to the aging of the building, a new brewery was completed in 2023 that reflects the new way of Chitosezuru. The production process has also undergone major changes.

Rice and water are the lifeblood of Chitosetsuru

The main ingredients of sake are rice and water. Chitosetsuru is committed to using high-quality ingredients, both grown in Hokkaido, and within these ingredients lies a secret that can only be produced in the city of Sapporo.

The brewing water is the lifeblood of Chitosetsuru. It is made from underground water from the Toyohira River that flows through Sapporo. It is said that without this underground water, the flavor of Chitosetsuru would not be possible. This soft water, rich in minerals, has little iron and produces few unpleasant flavors, making it ideal for sake brewing.

The sake rice used for brewing is from contracted farmers in Shintotsukawa Town, known as one of the leading sake-producing areas in Hokkaido.

"Yamada Nishiki is a famous sake rice. The environment of Shintotsukawa is said to be very similar to that of Yoshikawa, a famous producer of Yamada Nishiki. The two main types of sake rice we use are Ginpu, which has a mellow aroma and rich flavor, and Kita Shizuku, which is light and has few impurities."

This is what Junya Kaneno, Deputy General Manager of the Product Planning Department, told us.

Reasons for deliberately reducing production volume

In the past, they handled mass production, but now they have reduced production and the number of products they sell, in order to avoid being affected by changes in the times and price competition. Instead, they only sell products that are of the highest quality.

"Our production volume has dropped to about one-tenth of what it was at the beginning. Also, in traditional sake breweries, we had to move to the second or third floor for each process, but in the new brewery, all processes can be completed on the first floor. After many years of building, we continued to search for a better way, and came up with this design."

The brewing method has also changed from "cold brewing," where the annual amount is brewed in the winter, to "four-season brewing," which allows brewing all year round. This allows the product to be delivered in a fresher state. All of this is to ensure that you can enjoy the most delicious moment. With that thought in mind, the sake is carefully bottled.

Freshly made in one bottle

At the shop inside the museum, you can sample and purchase Chitosetsuru's carefully crafted products.

"In addition to our standard products, we also stock seasonal limited edition items, and in addition to sake, we also sell plum wine and sake lees. These are popular with women," explains Mayumi Imanishi, also from the Product Planning Department.

Among the many products, the most popular is the brewery's limited edition "Junmai Ginjo Nama Sake." It has a crisp spiciness followed by a lingering sweetness. When you purchase this, they will bottle it for you on the spot.

From everyday meals to special occasions such as celebrations, the joy of choosing sake expands as you imagine the various occasions.

There's more to enjoying Chitosetsuru than just drinking it

The Chitosetsuru Sake Museum has many features that make it enjoyable even for those who don't purchase alcohol. One such feature is the sake lees soft serve ice cream, which can only be enjoyed in the eat-in space attached to the museum.

The soft serve ice cream, with a subtle hint of sake lees, has a gentle sweetness that makes it perfect for a relaxing break. It is apparently frequented by locals, and serves as a place of relaxation for the local community.

"I believe there should be many different ways to enjoy sake, not just by drinking it. One example is the development of skin care products, and in the future I plan to create products such as hand cream and soap. First, I want people to become interested in sake, and then I hope that they will eventually come to like it."

Konno and the rest of the Product Planning Department say they are looking for new ways to make Chitosezuru more accessible to more people, regardless of age or gender.

To be loved for over a thousand years

"We want to be a company that will be loved for a millennium, like a crane." This is the idea and commitment that embodies Chitosetsuru. As the only sake brewery in Sapporo, we will continue to exist alongside the changing times, in order to continue delivering the finest drops of sake.

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千歳鶴 酒ミュージアム
電話：011-221-7570
住所：北海道札幌市中央区南3条東５丁目2番地
アクセス：札幌市営地下鉄東西線「バスセンター前駅」9番出口から徒歩5分
HP：https://nipponseishu.co.jp/chitosetsuru/museum/
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