Shikoku’s leading tour provider since 2011​
Search

Suigei Brewery

An ultramodern sake brewery hidden in a green valley.

Suigei Brewery

Suigei was founded in 1872. The original brewery is situation close to Katsurahama in Kochi city, but the company has recently opened an ultramodern facility in Tosa City, about thirty minutes to the west of Kochi.

Suigei_Brewery_in_the_valley

This new brewery is situated on a tributary of the Niyodo River. The plain grey boxy buildings contrast with the vivid greenery around. Through one of the doorways is a large tasting room. It features bare concrete, modern furniture, a wall of refrigerators, a bar, various Japanesque exhibits, and a big screen showing scenes of New Yorkers enjoying Suigei. Here you can taste the dry, elegant sake that Suigei brews to accompany food.

Suigei_Brewery_tasing_room

Suigei prides itself on its high polishing ratios, which tend to produce a more refined taste. The brewery tour begins in the polishing room dominated by a very tall upright mill, a rarity in Shikoku breweries where most outsource this task.

Suigei_Brewery_Yabuta_press

Old breweries are typically cluttered, dusty and cramped, and the shininess and spaciousness of this facility is a bit overwhelming. There are familiar sights though, like the Shinto god shelf above the unfamiliar digital dashboards.  A visit to Suigei’s new facility represents a fascinating contrast with the older breweries nearby.

Suigei_Brewery_tank_room

Suigei means ‘drunken whale’, in honour of Yamauchi Yodo, the Lord of Tosa at the end of the Edo Period. He was a big drinker who referred to himself as a drunken whale.

Information

Name in Japanese: 酔鯨

Pronunciation: suigei

Address: 2001-1 Kanbara, Tosa, Kochi 781-1113

Related Tours

8 Days
¥278,000

Experience the most beautiful and interesting temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage in seven days.

View Details
6 Days
¥278,000

Experience the best that Shikoku has to offer in five days.

View Details
Kominka outside
8 Days
¥298,000

A tour for families or friends, staying in the most characterful kominka and ryokan of Shikoku.

View Details
Temple 12 Shosanji lion dog in the mist
8 Days
¥358,000

Visit the most beautiful and interesting temples of the Shikoku Pilgrimage and walk the toughest trails.

View Details

Related Points of Interest