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Keigetsu Brewery

A sake brewery in rural Kochi that grows its own rice in the local valleys.

Keigetsu Brewery

Lake Sameura on the Yoshino River in Kōchi had its moment of internet fame when someone realised that it looks like a dragon on Google Earth. Back down to earth, it’s a very pretty lake in the Shikoku Mountains, and close to the Sameura Dam is Keigetsu Brewery. 

The Tosa Brewery Co., Ltd. that produces the Keigetsu Brand was founded in 1877. In the precincts of the brewery is an old warehouse or kura, featuring lines of tiling around the walls. This little building is a museum of the founder’s life.

A short drive from the brewery, rice used for brewing Keigetsu sake is grown on the steep slopes of the valley in paddies whose borders follow the contours in undulating lines.

In contrast to much of the generally dryer, lighter sake brewed in Kōchi, Keigetsu produces robust, sweet sake with distinct banana, melon and pineapple notes. One particularly popular product is ‘John’, a vivaciously sparkling sake made with added CO2.

The old kura can be visited without an appointment, and visitors are welcome in the attractive new shop and tasting room. Keigetsu is one of the two most common brands in that area, the other being Tosazuru. Keigetsu is typically given as a gift, and tends to appear on special occasions, whereas Tosazuru tends to be found on the regular dinner table.

 

Information

Name in Japanese: 桂月

Pronunciation: keigetsu

Address: 418 Tai, Tosa, Tosa District, Kochi 781-3521

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