井上清吉商店

The Story of 井上清吉商店

Founded in 1868 in Shirasawa, a former post town on the Oshu Kaido highway northeast of Utsunomiya, Inoue Seikichi Shoten has brewed under the Sawahime label ever since. In 2004 the kura issued its "True Local Sake Declaration," committing to use only Tochigi-grown rice for every bottle it makes. That commitment has paid off: Sawahime has been named IWC Champion Sake -- the sake competition's top overall prize -- twice, in 2010 and 2022. Visitors to the brewery shop can taste all sixteen Sawahime varieties free, from a self-service tasting bar.