The Sake Anatomy › Sake Brand Index › Sawanoi
No.80 · Brewery Profile
Sawanoi澤乃井 · Ozawa Shuzo 小澤酒造
Ozawa Shuzo has brewed in the Sawai district of Ome, on Tokyo’s mountainous western edge, since 1702 — one of only a handful of sake breweries still active within Tokyo Metropolis. Spring water filtered through the Chichibu limestone of the Okutama mountains feeds a lineup that runs from everyday table sake to a highly polished 35%-milled daiginjo and Kuramori, a sake tank-aged for years into a deep amber koshu.
Who makes Sawanoi?
Ozawa Shuzo has brewed in the Sawai district of Ome, on Tokyo’s mountainous western edge, since 1702 — one of only a handful of sake breweries still active within Tokyo Metropolis.
What does Sawanoi taste like?
Tagged Elegant & Refined and Rich & Umami, Sawanoi’s lineup runs from a standard Junmai Daiginjo at 3/5 aromatic, up to the more highly polished, 35%-milled Houjou Sanjuugo at 4/5 aromatic, and down to Kuramori, a long tank-aged junmai that reaches 4/5 on both richness and body.
Which bottle should you try first?
Start with the standard Junmai Daiginjo, the everyday entry point in the range, before trying the more premium 35%-milled Houjou Sanjuugo or the tank-aged Kuramori.
How does Sawanoi compare to other Tokyo breweries?
Sawanoi shares its Elegant & Refined tag with the only other Tokyo brewery in this index, Toshimaya, though Toshimaya pairs that with Aromatic & Fruity where Sawanoi instead adds Rich & Umami.
Frequently asked questions
How long has Ozawa Shuzo brewed in Tokyo?
Since 1702, in the Sawai district of Ome on Tokyo’s mountainous western edge.
What water does Sawanoi use?
Spring water filtered through the Chichibu limestone of the Okutama mountains.
Does Sawanoi make an aged sake?
Yes, Kuramori, a junmai tank-aged for years into a deep amber koshu with a mellow, rice-driven flavor.
The bottles
Junmai Daiginjo純米大吟醸
薫酒 Kunshu · Fragrant“Standard junmai daiginjo with a vibrant ginjo aroma.”
Houjou Sanjuugo芳醸参拾伍
薫酒 Kunshu · Fragrant“Premium 35%-milled junmai daiginjo.”
Kuramori蔵守
熟酒 Jukushu · Aged“Long tank-aged junmai with amber color and deep, mellow rice flavor.”
Reading the bars: an editorial flavor reading (0–5) of each bottle — Dry→Rich, Light→Full, Subtle→Aromatic, Low→High acidity — not laboratory values. The colored badge is the SSI four-type classification (薫酒 Kunshu · 爽酒 Soshu · 醇酒 Junshu · 熟酒 Jukushu). SMV and acidity appear only where the brewery publishes them.
Sources: sawanoi-sake.com · mlit.go.jp