Tsukasabotan Brewery

Kōchi sake has traditionally been known for a dry and light character that enhances the enjoyment of seafood. However, even in Kōchi, more fruity, flowery and fragrant sake with umami richness is recently becoming popular, winning prizes in sake competitions. But Tsukasabotan aims to preserve the traditional sake of Kōchi and continues to brew dry sake that matches food. The brewery has lobbied to ensure that competitions in Kōchi are divided into traditional and other categories so that the old style of sake is still appreciated.

Tsukasabotan is based in the town of Sakawa on a tributary of the beautiful Niyodo River to the east of Kōchi city. It’s Kōchi’s oldest brewery. There used to be several breweries in Sakawa, due to the abundant water and rice of the region, but they gradually amalgamated into Tsukasabotan. The brewery has a remarkably long storehouse where the sake is matured. In the old days, the containers were made of wood, but in 1955 when the brewery decided to use taller metal tanks, the entire storehouse was cranked up so that a new concrete footing could be added underneath the walls.

The old parts of the brewery are carefully preserved as part of Shikoku’s cultural heritage. Today the sake is brewed in a newer facility using modern equipment. Since Tsukasabotan brews large quantities, instead of steaming rice in batches in vats, they use a rare continuous steamer, a gigantic and complex machine which tends to remind people of Howl’s Moving Castle.

The brewery has an attractive shop where you can try the products and purchase sake and souvenirs.

Information

Name in Japanese: 司牡丹
Pronunciation: tsoo-kasa botan
Address: 1299 Ko, Sakawa, Takaoka District, Kochi 789-1201