Daiichi Shuzo Former Grain Storehouse: A Gateway to Tochigi's Oldest Sake Brewery
Standing quietly along the street in the Tajima district of Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture, the Daiichi Shuzo Former Grain Storehouse (第一酒造旧穀倉) is a distinguished example of early twentieth-century brewery architecture. Registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2016, this single-story wooden structure forms part of the impressive nagayamon (long gate) complex that defines the streetside facade of one of Japan's most historically significant sake breweries. Daiichi Shuzo, founded in 1673 during the Edo period, holds the distinction of being the oldest sake brewery in Tochigi Prefecture, and this grain storehouse stands as a silent witness to over a century of the brewery's agricultural and brewing heritage.
Historical Background
Daiichi Shuzo was established in 1673 (Enpō 1) by Shimada Kyūzaemon during the era of the fourth Tokugawa shogun, Ietsuna. Located in Sano, which was then a thriving sake-producing region along the Watarase River, the brewery shipped its products via the river network through the Tone and Edo rivers to supply the capital city of Edo. The Shimada family were originally farmers, and this deep connection to agriculture has remained central to the brewery's identity for over 350 years.
The former grain storehouse was constructed between 1919 and 1926, during the Taishō and early Shōwa periods, a time when Sano was experiencing modernization while still preserving its traditional commercial character. The structure originally served as a kokukura — a storehouse for grains such as soybeans and other agricultural products that were essential to the brewery's operations. In 1875, inspired by the Meiji-era spirit of bunmei kaika (civilization and enlightenment), the brewery named its flagship brand "Kaika," later changing the characters to "Kaika" (開華) in 1936, which remains its signature brand to this day.
Why It Was Designated as a Cultural Property
The Daiichi Shuzo Former Grain Storehouse was registered as a National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (建造物) on November 29, 2016. The registration recognized the building's significance as an integral component of the nagayamon gate complex that defines the street-facing boundary of the brewery's premises.
The structure is valued for its role in preserving the dignified appearance of a traditional establishment. With a three-meter-wide main gate at the center, a storage room to the east, and the grain storehouse to the west, the ensemble is unified under a continuous gable roof (kirizuma-yane). The exterior features weatherboard cladding (shitami-itabari) that conveys the refined and formal character befitting an old and respected family. This architectural arrangement is representative of how prosperous merchant and brewing families in the Kanto region presented their premises to the street, combining practical storage with an impressive public facade.
The former grain storehouse is one of six buildings within the Daiichi Shuzo compound that have been registered as cultural properties, forming a remarkably well-preserved ensemble that documents the development of a traditional sake-brewing estate from the late Edo period through the early modern era.
Architectural Highlights and Points of Interest
The former grain storehouse is a single-story wooden structure with a tile roof, covering a building area of 53 square meters. Its design reflects the practical requirements of grain storage while maintaining the visual coherence of the nagayamon complex. The weatherboard cladding on the exterior serves both functional and aesthetic purposes — protecting the stored goods from the elements while presenting a clean, dignified facade to passersby.
The nagayamon configuration itself is a notable feature. This type of gate structure, which integrates storage rooms and service spaces within the gate building, was traditionally associated with samurai residences and wealthy merchant households. At Daiichi Shuzo, the arrangement combines the main gate with utility spaces on either side, creating a unified frontage that speaks to the family's status and the scale of their brewing operations.
Visitors to the brewery can appreciate the grain storehouse as part of the larger compound, which includes the main residence (Shimada-ke Jūtaku Shuoku, also a registered cultural property), the sake brewery buildings, and other historic structures spread across an approximately 1,500-tsubo (roughly 4,960 square meters) site. The overall atmosphere transports visitors back to a time when Sano was a bustling post town on the Nikkō Reihei-shi Kaidō highway.
Visiting Daiichi Shuzo
Daiichi Shuzo welcomes visitors for brewery tours by prior reservation. The tour offers a firsthand look at the sake-making process, from rice polishing to fermentation, guided by knowledgeable staff. The brewery also operates Gallery Sakagura, a gallery space housed in a converted storehouse building where exhibits related to sake brewing are displayed throughout the year.
After the tour, visitors can enjoy paid tastings of eight varieties of the brewery's award-winning "Kaika" sake, served with an original ochoko (sake cup) as a souvenir. All of the brewery's products are classified as tokutei meishō-shu (special designation sake), reflecting their commitment to premium quality. Particularly noteworthy is the "Kaika AWA SAKE," a sparkling sake produced using secondary fermentation in the bottle — a method similar to Champagne production — which has earned recognition at international competitions.
The brewery is conveniently located approximately 10 minutes by car from Ashikaga Flower Park, making it easy to combine a visit with one of the region's most popular attractions.
Surrounding Attractions
The area surrounding Daiichi Shuzo offers a wealth of cultural and natural attractions that complement a visit to the brewery. Sano City itself is renowned for Sano Ramen, a distinctive local noodle dish characterized by hand-stretched noodles made using a bamboo-beating technique that dates back to the Taishō era. With over 150 ramen shops in the city, visitors are sure to find an excellent bowl nearby.
Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the Izuruhara Benten Pond, whose spring waters are designated as one of Japan's 100 Best Waters and also serve as a source of the high-quality water used in the brewery's sake production. The Karasawayama Castle Ruins, one of the finest mountain castle sites in the Kanto region, offers hiking trails with panoramic views and is home to the Karasawayama Shrine. Meanwhile, the Sano Yakuyoke Daishi temple, one of the Three Great Masters of the Kanto region, is a popular destination for those seeking protection against misfortune.
For art lovers, the Sano Municipal Yoshizawa Memorial Art Museum houses a remarkable collection including the Important Cultural Property "Saichūfu" (Scroll of Vegetables and Insects) by the celebrated Edo-period painter Itō Jakuchū.
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Q&A
- What is the Daiichi Shuzo Former Grain Storehouse?
- It is a single-story wooden storehouse built between 1919 and 1926, originally used to store soybeans and other grains at Daiichi Shuzo, the oldest sake brewery in Tochigi Prefecture. It was registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property in 2016 as part of the nagayamon (long gate) complex that forms the brewery's street-facing facade.
- Can visitors tour the brewery and see the historic buildings?
- Yes, Daiichi Shuzo offers brewery tours by prior reservation. Visitors can view the historic buildings from the outside and tour parts of the brewing facilities. The Gallery Sakagura exhibition space is also open to visitors, and paid tastings of eight sake varieties are available.
- How do I get to Daiichi Shuzo?
- Daiichi Shuzo is located at 488 Tajima-chō, Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. The nearest station is Tajima Station on the Tōbu Saon Line. By car, it is approximately 15 minutes from the Sano-Fujioka Interchange on the Tōhoku Expressway, or about 10 minutes from Ashikaga Flower Park.
- How many registered cultural property buildings are on the Daiichi Shuzo premises?
- There are six buildings within the Daiichi Shuzo compound that have been registered as cultural properties, including the former grain storehouse, the former rice granary, the main sake brewery building, and the Shimada family main residence. Together they form a comprehensive ensemble representing the development of a traditional sake-brewing estate.
- What sake should I try when visiting?
- All of Daiichi Shuzo's products are tokutei meishō-shu (special designation sake) under the "Kaika" (開華) brand. Popular choices include the Daiginjo Kaika for its fruity aroma, the Junmai for everyday enjoyment, and the "Kaika AWA SAKE," a sparkling sake made using secondary bottle fermentation that has earned international recognition.
Basic Information
| Name | Daiichi Shuzo Former Grain Storehouse (第一酒造旧穀倉) |
|---|---|
| Designation | National Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Building) |
| Registration Date | November 29, 2016 |
| Period of Construction | Taishō to early Shōwa era (1919–1926) |
| Structure | Single-story wooden building, tile roof, building area 53 m² |
| Address | 488 Tajima-chō, Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan |
| Owner | Daiichi Shuzo Co., Ltd. |
| Access | Near Tajima Station (Tōbu Saon Line); approx. 15 min by car from Sano-Fujioka IC (Tōhoku Expressway) |
References
- 文化遺産オンライン — 第一酒造旧穀倉
- https://bunka.nii.ac.jp/heritages/detail/254715
- 国指定文化財等データベース（文化庁）
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/101/00011260
- 第一酒造 開華 — 蔵元紹介
- https://www.sakekaika.co.jp/kuramoto
- Sake World — 近代から現代への文明「開華」栃木県で最も古い酒蔵［第一酒造］の350年
- https://sakeworld.jp/sakebrewery/241021-tochigi-daiichi/
- 栃木県酒造組合 酒々楽 — 第一酒造
- https://sasara.pto.co.jp/kuramoto_list/daiichi.html
Last verified: 2026.04.03