SETO SHUZO-TEN Co., Ltd.

Three ingredients are required to make fine sake: water, yeast, and, of course, rice. The Ashigara Plain, located to the east of Mt. Hakone, has a long, flourishing history as a sake rice-growing region. Right at the center of this rural area is SETO SHUZO-TEN, a sake brewery founded in 1865. Although the brewery was forced to suspend production in 1980 when it was unable to secure the services of a chief brewer and skilled brewery workers, in 2018 it reopened under the leadership of a new chief brewer.

A mere five years later, on November 20, 2023, “Setoichi ※O” became the first sake ever served at the LALISTE Gala Dinner in Paris, one of the world’s premier culinary events, impressing leading chefs, gourmets, and other international attendees.

SETO SHUZO-TEN produces three series of sake: Sakatanishiki, Ashigarigo, and Setoichi. The Sakatanishiki series revives the original signature sake of SETO SHUZO-TEN. Brewed with rice grown on the Ashigara Plain and yeast that lives naturally in the brewery, it is an ideal accompaniment to everyday meals. The Ashigarigo series is brewed using yeast found in the hydrangea, the official flower of the town where the company’s brewery is located, Kaisei-machi. This sake is notable for its refreshing, white wine-like acidity and clear taste. Lastly, the Setoichi series was crafted to be enjoyed in a variety of settings. It includes different types of sake, each with a richly distinctive flavor.

In the six years since it reopened its doors, the brewery has received international recognition and 156 awards at global competitions, such as the International Wine Challenge and Kura Master. In 2024, SETO SHUZO-TEN was ranked the world’s 8th-best sake brewery by the Sakagura Rankings.

SETO SHUZO-TEN has an on-site store where visitors can purchase its products directly, while brewery tours are also available (reservation recommended). SETO SHUZO-TEN is approximately 10 minutes by taxi from Kaisei Station or Shin-Matsuda Station on the Odakyu Odawara Line connecting Shinjuku and Odawara.

SETO SHUZO-TEN makes sake to share the pleasures and richness of delicious Japanese sake, and to teach people how to enjoy it. Visit the brewery and enjoy a unique chance to savor its globally-acclaimed sake.