We are always searching for unique stories, and sometimes they find us when we least expect it. While taking a vacation from Los Angeles, one of our sake specialists visited Sachihime Brewing Company in Kashima, Saga prefecture. She was immediately charmed by the small, retro facility and the warm hospitality she received — a quality that has made their brewery tours popular. After tasting their impressive lineup — and even enjoying their original, non-alcoholic sake soft serve ice cream — she knew immediately that this was a discovery too good to keep to herself.

Saga prefecture is a region famous for its sweet sake. Sachihime naturally embraced this local palate, but a few years ago, they attempted to reduce the sweetness of their brews to align with a nationwide trend toward drier profiles. However, as they began participating in international tasting events, they discovered that their high-quality, elegant sweetness was actually their greatest strength and was highly praised abroad. This realization prompted them to return to their origins, fully embracing the brilliant, floral and fruity aromas that make their sake so approachable and easy on the palate.

Despite their growing international reputation, Sachihime remains a deeply artisanal operation. Led by fifth-generation brewmaster Hirofumi Minematsu, the company employs only 15 people. Instead of introducing large machinery to increase efficiency, the team insists on performing almost all brewing processes by hand. This meticulous, manual approach allows them to maintain strict quality control, ensuring that delicate offerings like their fruit-forward junmai ginjo maintain their refreshing taste.