360-Year-Old Sake Brewery "Sasaichi Shuzo," Which Brews Sacred Sake for Mount Fuji, Announces Special Release and Tasting of Limited-Edition "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo" at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine's Annual Festival "Hatsuzarusai"!
Sasaichi Shuzo, a sake brewery with over 360 years of history, will offer a tasting and special sale of its limited-edition "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo" at the "Hatsuzarusai" annual festival of Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine on May 5, 2026. This sake, brewed with the clear waters of Fuji-Misaka, embodies the coolness of early summer.
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Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo
Sasaichi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Otsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture; Representative Director: Rei Amano; hereinafter "Sasaichi Shuzo"), a Yamanashi sake brewery with over 360 years of history, known for brewing "sake with the clear waters of Fuji-Misaka" and offering sacred sake to Mount Fuji, will offer a tasting and special sale of its limited-edition sake "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo," which bottles the "coolness of early summer" from its flagship brand "Sasaichi," to worshippers at the "Hatsuzarusai" (First Monkey Festival) annual festival held at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, a place of Fuji faith where Sasaichi Shuzo offers sacred sake, on May 5, 2026 (holiday, Tuesday).
The "Hatsuzarusai" festival, held on a "Monkey Day" associated with Mount Fuji, takes place at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, a component asset of the World Heritage Site Mount Fuji. It is a time-honored Shinto ritual, and according to shrine records, in the 92nd year of Emperor Kōan, the sixth emperor, Mount Fuji, which had been shrouded in clouds and mist, suddenly appeared. Since that year was a "Kanoe-saru" (Metal Monkey) year, the festival has traditionally been held on Monkey years and Monkey days as an auspicious occasion. It is also said that the enshrined deity provides abundant blessings for agriculture, especially sericulture, and the "Hatsuzarusai" is held at this time when farming begins to pray for a bountiful harvest. On the occasion of this important Shinto ritual to pray for a bountiful harvest, Sasaichi Shuzo, which offers sacred sake, will offer a tasting of its seasonal limited-edition sake "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo" from its flagship brand "Sasaichi" to worshippers and also specially release it within the shrine grounds. We are grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this Shinto ritual that prays for the bounty of Yamanashi, centered around Mount Fuji, and hope that worshippers will enjoy "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo." On the same day, "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo" will also be released at "Sasaichi Shuyukan," the brewery's directly managed shop, and at "Sasaichi Shuzo Fuji Kawaguchiko Tabi no Eki-ten," a permanent in-shop within "Tabi no Eki Kawaguchiko Base."
■ Connection between Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, where the "Hokokusai" was held to commemorate the registration of "Traditional Japanese Sake Brewing" as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Sasaichi Shuzo
Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Registration Commemoration "Sasaichi Shuzo Hokokusai"
Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, a place of Fuji faith where Sasaichi Shuzo offers sacred sake and where the "Hokokusai" (Reporting Festival) was held to commemorate the registration of "Traditional Japanese Sake Brewing" as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This historic shrine is known as a key point where many pilgrims always visited when passing through the northern climbing route of Mount Fuji since the Edo period. For over 360 years, Sasaichi Shuzo has brewed sake with the clear waters of Fuji-Misaka that spring from its brewery and Yamanashi-grown rice, and has been closely involved in local Shinto rituals as sacred sake. As a sake brewery that plays a part in the "Traditional Japanese Sake Brewing" registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, it is a great honor to welcome the "Hatsuzarusai" which connects "Fuji faith" and "celebratory sake." We hope that everyone who visits this sacred area will enjoy the sake carefully brewed by the craftsmen of Sasaichi Shuzo, and together we can pray for a bountiful harvest to the deities of Mount Fuji.
■ [About the "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo" Tasting and Special Release at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine]
Date: May 5, 2026 (holiday, Tuesday) from 9:00 AM
Location: Grounds of Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine
Content: Tasting and special sale of "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo"
Price: Tasting is free / Special sale 2,000 yen (tax included)
*Both tasting and sales will end once supplies run out. Please be aware in advance.
■ "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo" Details
Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo
"Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo" is a summer-limited sake brewed using Yamanashi-grown sake rice and the clear deep groundwater "Fuji-Misaka Seiryu-sui," a blessing from the Fuji-Misaka mountain range.
Fuji-Misaka Seiryu-sui, which supports Sasaichi Shuzo's sake brewing, creates a soft and clear mouthfeel, giving the sake a refreshing transparency. It is a perfect sake for early summer, with a refreshing aroma reminiscent of Japanese citrus, a crisp finish, and a pleasant acidity.
The refreshing sensation is further enhanced when thoroughly chilled, and it pairs well with summer vegetable tempura and dishes made with seasonal ingredients. Please enjoy the coolness of early summer with "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo."
Product Name: Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo
Rice: 100% Yamanashi-grown rice
Rice Polishing Ratio: 55%
Alcohol Content: 15 degrees
Volume: 720ml
Brewing Water: Fuji-Misaka Seiryu-sui (ultra-soft water, hardness approx. 8mg CaCO₃/L)
Price: 2,000 yen (tax included)
■ About Sasaichi Shuzo
Sasaichi Shuzo
"Looking up at Fuji, inheriting its water"
Otsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture, a place that flourished as a pilgrimage entrance aiming for the sacred peak of Fuji. Sasaichi Shuzo Co., Ltd. was founded in this area over 360 years ago, in 1661 (Kanbun 1) as Hanadaya. Later, Hisashi Amano, who inherited Hanadaya and became the first kuramoto (brewery owner), changed the name and integrated it into the current Sasaichi Shuzo in 1919, and has since brewed sake alongside Fuji faith. "Sasaichi" is Japan's
Sasaichi Shuzo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Otsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture; Representative Director: Rei Amano; hereinafter "Sasaichi Shuzo"), a Yamanashi sake brewery with over 360 years of history, known for brewing "sake with the clear waters of Fuji-Misaka" and offering sacred sake to Mount Fuji, will offer a tasting and special sale of its limited-edition sake "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo," which bottles the "coolness of early summer" from its flagship brand "Sasaichi," to worshippers at the "Hatsuzarusai" (First Monkey Festival) annual festival held at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, a place of Fuji faith where Sasaichi Shuzo offers sacred sake, on May 5, 2026 (holiday, Tuesday).
The "Hatsuzarusai" festival, held on a "Monkey Day" associated with Mount Fuji, takes place at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, a component asset of the World Heritage Site Mount Fuji. It is a time-honored Shinto ritual, and according to shrine records, in the 92nd year of Emperor Kōan, the sixth emperor, Mount Fuji, which had been shrouded in clouds and mist, suddenly appeared. Since that year was a "Kanoe-saru" (Metal Monkey) year, the festival has traditionally been held on Monkey years and Monkey days as an auspicious occasion. It is also said that the enshrined deity provides abundant blessings for agriculture, especially sericulture, and the "Hatsuzarusai" is held at this time when farming begins to pray for a bountiful harvest. On the occasion of this important Shinto ritual to pray for a bountiful harvest, Sasaichi Shuzo, which offers sacred sake, will offer a tasting of its seasonal limited-edition sake "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo" from its flagship brand "Sasaichi" to worshippers and also specially release it within the shrine grounds. We are grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this Shinto ritual that prays for the bounty of Yamanashi, centered around Mount Fuji, and hope that worshippers will enjoy "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo." On the same day, "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo" will also be released at "Sasaichi Shuyukan," the brewery's directly managed shop, and at "Sasaichi Shuzo Fuji Kawaguchiko Tabi no Eki-ten," a permanent in-shop within "Tabi no Eki Kawaguchiko Base."
■ Connection between Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, where the "Hokokusai" was held to commemorate the registration of "Traditional Japanese Sake Brewing" as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Sasaichi Shuzo
Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Registration Commemoration "Sasaichi Shuzo Hokokusai"
Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine, a place of Fuji faith where Sasaichi Shuzo offers sacred sake and where the "Hokokusai" (Reporting Festival) was held to commemorate the registration of "Traditional Japanese Sake Brewing" as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This historic shrine is known as a key point where many pilgrims always visited when passing through the northern climbing route of Mount Fuji since the Edo period. For over 360 years, Sasaichi Shuzo has brewed sake with the clear waters of Fuji-Misaka that spring from its brewery and Yamanashi-grown rice, and has been closely involved in local Shinto rituals as sacred sake. As a sake brewery that plays a part in the "Traditional Japanese Sake Brewing" registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, it is a great honor to welcome the "Hatsuzarusai" which connects "Fuji faith" and "celebratory sake." We hope that everyone who visits this sacred area will enjoy the sake carefully brewed by the craftsmen of Sasaichi Shuzo, and together we can pray for a bountiful harvest to the deities of Mount Fuji.
■ [About the "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo" Tasting and Special Release at Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine]
Date: May 5, 2026 (holiday, Tuesday) from 9:00 AM
Location: Grounds of Kitaguchi Hongu Fuji Sengen Shrine
Content: Tasting and special sale of "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo"
Price: Tasting is free / Special sale 2,000 yen (tax included)
*Both tasting and sales will end once supplies run out. Please be aware in advance.
■ "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo" Details
Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo
"Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo" is a summer-limited sake brewed using Yamanashi-grown sake rice and the clear deep groundwater "Fuji-Misaka Seiryu-sui," a blessing from the Fuji-Misaka mountain range.
Fuji-Misaka Seiryu-sui, which supports Sasaichi Shuzo's sake brewing, creates a soft and clear mouthfeel, giving the sake a refreshing transparency. It is a perfect sake for early summer, with a refreshing aroma reminiscent of Japanese citrus, a crisp finish, and a pleasant acidity.
The refreshing sensation is further enhanced when thoroughly chilled, and it pairs well with summer vegetable tempura and dishes made with seasonal ingredients. Please enjoy the coolness of early summer with "Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo."
Product Name: Sasaichi Natsu Junmai Ginjo
Rice: 100% Yamanashi-grown rice
Rice Polishing Ratio: 55%
Alcohol Content: 15 degrees
Volume: 720ml
Brewing Water: Fuji-Misaka Seiryu-sui (ultra-soft water, hardness approx. 8mg CaCO₃/L)
Price: 2,000 yen (tax included)
■ About Sasaichi Shuzo
Sasaichi Shuzo
"Looking up at Fuji, inheriting its water"
Otsuki City, Yamanashi Prefecture, a place that flourished as a pilgrimage entrance aiming for the sacred peak of Fuji. Sasaichi Shuzo Co., Ltd. was founded in this area over 360 years ago, in 1661 (Kanbun 1) as Hanadaya. Later, Hisashi Amano, who inherited Hanadaya and became the first kuramoto (brewery owner), changed the name and integrated it into the current Sasaichi Shuzo in 1919, and has since brewed sake alongside Fuji faith. "Sasaichi" is Japan's