Tsukayama Distillery is an awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit) factory located on a quiet street behind the shopping district in Nago City.

It's not a mainstream tourist spot, but it's a hidden gem that's steadily gaining fans for its story as a sake brewery and the historical value of its buildings.

This article will introduce the historical value of Tsukayama Distillery, its factory tour (facility tour), and the awamori "Kokka" that it produces.

<Table of Contents>
1. Tsukayama Sake Brewery is a designated Important Cultural Property and is still in operation.
2. Exploring the facilities of Tsukayama Sake Brewery
3. Awamori "Kokka" from Tsukayama Brewery
4. Basic information about Tsukayama Sake Brewery

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1. Tsukayama Sake Brewery is a designated Important Cultural Property and is still in operation.

Tsukayama Sake Brewery has a long history, having been founded in 1924 (Taisho 13), approximately 100 years ago. It is considered one of the oldest and most established sake breweries in Okinawa Prefecture.

The exterior is a wooden building with a red tiled roof, typical of Okinawa. It's so far removed from the typical image of a "factory" that you can't help but wonder, "Are they really making sake here?"
The charm of Tsukayama Brewery is hidden within this building, which is so typical of Okinawa. In fact, it has been designated as an "Important Cultural Property" due to its value.

The site covers approximately 600 tsubo (about 2,000 square meters). The building itself covers about 340 tsubo (about 1,150 square meters), making it one of the largest existing wooden houses with a red tile roof. Due to its historical value, it has been designated an Important Cultural Property. It receives the same treatment as the famous Shuri Castle.

It is said that Tsukayama Distillery is the only place that still produces awamori in a building that has been there since before the war. There is a story to be told about Tsukayama Distillery here as well. Despite the entire area being bombed during the Battle of Okinawa, Tsukayama Distillery was the only place that was not attacked. The reason for this was the strategy of the American military.

It is said that the Tsukayama Sake Brewery building was deliberately left standing so that the American military could use it as an office to manage the northern region after the war. It's deeply moving to think that sake is still being brewed there today, tracing such a history.

2. Exploring the facilities of Tsukayama Sake Brewery

At Tsukayama Sake Brewery, you can enjoy a factory tour that doesn't require reservations. However, this "factory tour" is quite different from your average factory tour.

Tsukayama Distillery has both a factory and residences on the same premises, so you can not only see where the awamori is made, but also tour the pre-war Okinawan style architecture.

Adding to the uniqueness of the situation is the presence of the sake brewer, Mr. Akimura, who is guiding us. He complains, "I moved to Okinawa to escape a black company and now I'm working here, but I hardly get any days off!" Yet, once he starts talking, he can't stop (lol).

Perhaps because he has so much to tell us, this enthusiastic and entertaining guide speaks quickly about the charms of Tsukayama Brewery.

The first place Mr. Akimura will show you is the factory. In stark contrast to its red-tiled roof exterior, the factory is lined with large tanks and bottles, creating a striking contrast.

The whitish appearance of the wood is evidence of the presence of black koji mold, which is said to be responsible for the delicious taste of the awamori produced by Tsukayama Distillery.

Next, they show you a beautifully maintained garden. This black tree is said to be over 100 years old, giving you a real sense of the history of Tsukayama Sake Brewery.

The last place they show you is the living space. The wooden construction creates a comforting atmosphere, giving you a sense of security, like being at home.

If you happen to look up, you'll see the words "OFFICERS QUARTERS" carved into the beam. Apparently, they intentionally left the lettering that was carved by the American military.

Furthermore, bullet holes remain on the wall, giving us a glimpse into the conditions at the time when Tsukayama Sake Brewery was under confiscation.

However, there is absolutely no sense of tragedy in Mr. Akimura's guidance. Behind his humorous and entertaining explanations, you can sense his sincere desire for people to simply learn about Tsukayama Sake Brewery.

3. Awamori "Kokka" from Tsukayama Brewery

Kokka is the flagship awamori from Tsukayama Distillery. It is sold in three alcohol content varieties: 30% and 43%, as well as "Koshu" (aged awamori) which has been matured for over three years.

This 30-degree Kokka is one of the easiest-to-drink awamori varieties, with a milder flavor. It's highly recommended for those trying awamori for the first time!

This is Kokka, a type of aged sake. Tsukayama Brewery makes aged sake by aging it in bottles, and apparently the taste varies depending on the bottle.

For example, some bottles have the aroma of maple syrup, so even though they're all called "Kokka aged sake," there are differences in the finished product, and some enthusiasts comment, "The bottles that smell of maple syrup are the best."

The factory tour was very satisfying, but you might also want to buy some awamori (Okinawan distilled spirit) made under the red tile roof as a souvenir of your trip.

4. Basic information about Tsukayama Sake Brewery

Tsukayama Sake Brewery is located behind Prefectural Road 84, the "Nago-Motobu Line." It should be easy to find as Route 84 is a shopping street with an arcade along the sidewalk. From Naha Airport, head north and turn right at the intersection past the post office.

Soon you'll see Tsukayama Sake Brewery. You can park your car within the brewery's parking area.

Tsukayama Sake Brewery

Address

1-14-6 Onaka, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture

TEL

0980-52-2070

HP

https://www.awamori-kokka.co.jp/

Business hours

10:00 AM - 16:30 PM (Visiting hours) *Lunch break 12:00 PM - 13:00 PM

Remarks

No reservation is required for tours. Please check the information on the Tsukayama Sake Brewery website for details.

Final thoughts

Beyond the historical value of the building itself, Tsukayama Sake Brewery offers a wealth of information, from the fact that they brew sake in a house with a red tile roof to glimpses of what it was like when it was occupied by the American military. We encourage you to experience its indescribable charm, which cannot be expressed in a single word.