Shichiken (Yamanashi Meisen Brewery Co., Ltd.)

Shichiken is a long-established sake brewery located in Daigahara-juku in the Hakushu area of Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture, and its name comes from the ‘Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove’ (Chikurin no Shichiken are seven literary figures who gathered under a bamboo grove away from the mundane world during the Three Kingdoms period in China, from the Wei dynasty to the Jin dynasty. The name seems to have been derived from a pair of columns from a group of seven literary figures who, during the Three Kingdoms period in China from the Wei to the Jin Dynasty, gathered under a bamboo grove away from the mundane world, loved literature, enjoyed drinking and playing the zither, and enjoyed high-minded discussions about the pure and noble arts.
The reason for choosing this location, which still retains the atmosphere of prosperity from the Edo period, was because of the quality of the subterranean water from Hakushu (Mt. Kai-komagatake).
The company's aim is to produce sake that embodies the famous water of Hakushu, and instead of considering rice, koji and water, which can be said to be the lifeblood of sake brewing, on the same level, they consider rice, koji and koji bacteria in relation to the water, with the water playing the central role. The company says that in order to make the most of the fact that ‘Hakushu water is surprisingly soft in texture, has a pleasant sharpness and fits easily in the mouth’, they are conscious of ‘inheritance and innovation’ and go through a process of trial and error.
While Shichiken's flagship product, Tenju no Aji, which boasts of careful preparation and local rice, continues to be loved, Shichiken Sparkling has attracted attention and has now become synonymous with the new Shichiken, especially the sparkling sake Morino Kanade The 'Mori-no-Kanade' brand has broken new ground for sake.
Another real treat is walking around the vast grounds, contemplating the historical wooden architecture of the atmospheric sake brewery, which is just over 180 years old.

Gyozaisho Tours start at 10:30 / 13:30 / 14:30　
Denso Kura Tours start at 10:00 / 11:00 / 14:00 / 15:00
Tour duration 30 min
(Reservations required by 16:00 the day before).
Exhibits in the Denso-Kura change every three months.
Tour fees are required for each facility.
Accompanied by guiding staff.