The Story
What Shichiken Stands For
These are the traditional pillars we honor, but at Shichiken, we integrate "Water" into the heart of our mission, striving for a "Four-Way Satisfaction" in everything we do.
We aspire to be an organization that consistently crafts exceptional sake, where every employee feels a profound sense of happiness and pride.
Our goal is for those who experience Shichiken to feel a sense of relaxation, splendor, and joy. We strive to introduce the exquisite taste of sake to as many people as possible.
We care for our employees' families, our partners, and the local community. By creating jobs and spearheading regional revitalization, we aim to be a company cherished by the public.
As the lifeblood of our craft, we conduct our business with deep environmental stewardship. We protect the nature that sustains our quality, ensuring its legacy for generations to come.
The Sake
Water and 300 Years
The origin of Shichiken dates back to 1750 (Kan'en 3). The founder, Ibei Kitahara, of a lineage of brewers from Shinshu Takato, was so captivated by the exceptional quality of the water in Hakushu that he established his brewery in Daikahara along the Koshu Highway. For over 300 years, we have remained steadfast in crafting sake that honors this local water. The name "Shichiken" (Seven Sages) was bestowed in 1835 when the Lord of Takato Castle, Naito Suruga-no-kami, gifted a pair of Ranma (carved transom panels) depicting the "Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove" to celebrate the completion of the main residence. These panels remain a designated cultural asset of the estate today.
Shichiken also shares a prestigious connection with Emperor Meiji. In 1880, the inner chambers of the brewery were designated as an Anzaisho (Imperial Lodging) during the Emperor's grand tour of Yamanashi, Mie, and Kyoto. Furthermore, since 2020, Shichiken has been officially commissioned to brew and offer "Shiroki" (sacred white sake) for the Niinamesai (Harvest Festival) at Meiji Jingu Shrine every November 23rd. This partnership stems from the legacy of Emperor Meiji’s enthronement, where paddy fields in Yamanashi and Chiba were historically selected for imperial use. In commemoration of the shrine’s 100th anniversary in 2020, a project was launched to brew Shiroki using rice from those very fields, led by Shichiken.
Guided by these extraordinary historical ties, Shichiken continues the eternal craft of sake brewing.
The Sake
A Bond Forged in the Same Source
To craft sake that truly embodies the essence of Hakushu water, we primarily utilize rice grown in Hokuto City, sharing the very same water source. In close collaboration with local farmers, we have elevated the quality of our grains to perfectly align with the distinguished flavor profile of Shichiken. Driven by a shared bond among those who hold a deep reverence for Hakushu water, we are committed to the dedicated cultivation of premium sake rice.
From Yamanashi Meijo Co.
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