VISIT KANAZAWA, JAPAN - Official Travel Guide

• Ishikawa's mountains, sea and farmland give local brewers and distillers a rich pantry to draw from.

• -Mt. Hakusan spring water: Mt. Hakusan (2,702 m) is one of Japan's three most sacred mountains. Its snowmelt slowly filters through the ground, producing soft, clean spring water that is ideal for brewing.

• -Noto Chestnuts: The Noto Peninsula, in the north of Ishikawa, is known for its large, sweet chestnuts, grown in small orchards across its rural hills.

• -Noto Sea Salt: Noto is one of the few places in Japan that still makes salt by the agehama method. Workers spread seawater over beds of sand, let the sun and wind dry it, then boil down the concentrated brine. The result is a mild, mineral-rich salt..

• -Yuwaku Yuzu: Yuzu is a fragrant Japanese citrus, similar to a cross between a lemon and a mandarin. It grows around Yuwaku Onsen, a hot-spring village in the hills about 40 minutes by bus from Kanazawa Station.

• -Kaga bocha (Kaga roasted tea) : Kaga bocha is a Kanazawa specialty made by roasting the stems of green tea leaves. It has a toasty aroma and very little bitterness.

A rich, dark beer with the aroma of chestnuts, reminiscent of a Mont Blanc dessert in liquid form. This distinctive brew also tells a story of supporting chestnut farmers in Noto by making use of locally grown chestnuts.

According to Kanazawa Craft, approximately 100 tons of chestnuts are harvested in the Noto region each year. However, around 20% are considered unsuitable for standard commercial distribution, often because they are smaller than the usual market size.

Following the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, Kanazawa Craft, which develops products using local resources from Noto, turned its attention to these underutilized chestnuts. By processing them into a paste and incorporating them into craft beer, the company is creating new possibilities for local agricultural produce while supporting the region's farmers.

The Distinctive Flavor of Noto Chestnuts

Noto chestnuts are relatively rare outside Ishikawa Prefecture. This beer brings out their distinctive character, with a roasted aroma reminiscent of roasted chestnuts and a gentle sweetness.

Its bitterness level is low, with an IBU (International Bitterness Units) rating of just 5, giving it a smooth, mellow taste quite different from conventional beers. It is also an appealing choice for those who are not usually fond of beer.

How to Enjoy It

Enjoy it on its own, or try pouring it over ice cream for an indulgent adult-style affogato.

Serving it in a wine glass is another great way to appreciate its rich chestnut aroma.

The beer can be stored at room temperature and has a shelf life of nine months. It is also available in a special gift set featuring elegant foil-stamped packaging, making it an ideal souvenir or gift that captures the appeal of Kanazawa and Noto.

Where to Buy

Available at selected stores, including:

-Omiyage-dokoro Kanazawa, inside Kanazawa Hyakubangai Rinto at Kanazawa Station

-Korinbo Daiwa Department Store

-Kanazawa M'za Department Store

It can also be ordered through the official online shop.

There is no dedicated retail store. Please check availability with each retailer before visiting.

Yuwaku yuzu, Kaga bocha roasted tea, and Noto sea salt are just a few of the local ingredients behind Oriental Brewing’s beers. Founded in 2016, Oriental Brewing is a local brewery dedicated to creating craft beers that could be made in Kanazawa.

With several directly operated locations across the city, the brewery is popular with both visitors and local residents.

The Story Behind the Brewery

Founder TANAKA Makoto discovered the diverse world of craft beer while traveling around the globe and later studied brewing techniques in Sweden.

In 2016, inspired by a desire to establish a genuine craft beer culture in Kanazawa, he began brewing locally.

Since then, Oriental Brewing has continued to explore distinctive flavors using the natural resources and specialty ingredients of Kanazawa, growing into a craft beer brand deeply connected to the local community.

Award-Winning Signature Beers

Oriental Brewing produces a wide variety of original craft beers featuring local ingredients. Its beers have received recognition at international competitions, establishing the brewery as one of Kanazawa's notable craft beer producers.

Yuwaku Yuzu Ale

Made with Kanazawa Yuzu, grown in the Yuwaku Onsen area of Kanazawa. It offers a bright citrus aroma and refreshing taste.

Gold Medal, International Beer Cup 2017.

Kaga Bocha Stout

A dark beer combining the roasted aromas of traditional Kaga Bocha and roasted barley. Despite its rich aroma, it has a relatively dry, refreshing finish with restrained sweetness.

Bronze Medal, International Beer Cup 2018; Gold Medal, International Beer Cup 2025.

Noto Salt Saison

Made with natural sea salt from Noto, produced using the traditional Agehama salt-making method. It has a clean, refreshing taste with a subtle spicy character.

Silver Medal, International Beer Cup 2020.

What Makes Oriental Brewing Special?

Oriental Brewing combines a strong connection to the local community with a commitment to producing high-quality, distinctive craft beers.

Taking advantage of the flexibility of a small-scale brewery, it also offers seasonal varieties throughout the year. These include beers made with cherry blossoms in spring and pumpkin ales in autumn, giving visitors something new to discover with each season.

Where to Enjoy Oriental Brewing's Craft Beer in Kanazawa

-Kanazawa Station Area

Oriental Brewing Kanazawa Station

Located on the second floor of Anto West, inside Kanazawa Station. An especially convenient place to stop before or after a train journey or sightseeing trip. You can also purchase craft beer to take home as a souvenir.

Bistro Oriental

Located on the second floor of Cross Gate Kanazawa. This bistro-style restaurant offers craft beer paired with dishes made using local ingredients.

-Around Higashi Chaya District

Oriental Brewing Higashiyama

Located near Asanogawa Ohashi Bridge. The shop occupies a renovated former office of a historic ice supplier, creating a charming atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy local craft beer between sightseeing stops.

A highly regarded brewery whose Doris’ Jaguar won a gold medal at the World Beer Cup. At its taproom in Katamachi, visitors can compare and enjoy six varieties of freshly poured draft beer.

Located near Kanazawa Port, BREW CLASSIC is an emerging craft brewery attracting attention in a city where tradition and innovation meet. Its beers have earned acclaim from beer enthusiasts and international competitions alike.

How the Brewery Began

Founder SAKAO Takenori developed a passion for craft beer after discovering Boston Lager while studying abroad for his MBA.

He was particularly inspired by the way local breweries build strong connections with their communities. In 2021, he established BREW CLASSIC in Kanazawa.

The name reflects his ambition to create craft beers that will one day be recognized as classics.

A Commitment to Brewing: The Importance of Fresh Yeast

BREW CLASSIC places particular emphasis on yeast, one of the most important factors influencing the flavor and character of beer.

For every brewing batch, the brewery uses fresh liquid yeast rather than reusing previously used yeast. This approach helps bring out the yeast's natural characteristics and achieve a delicate, clean flavor with minimal unwanted notes.

At the 2023 World Beer Cup, one of the world's largest and most prestigious beer competitions, its beer "Doris' Jaguar" won a gold medal in the American-Belgo-Style Ale category.

This international recognition reflects the brewer's dedication to quality and attention to detail.

Where to Enjoy BREW CLASSIC in Kanazawa

Taproom BREW CLASSIC

The brewery's directly operated taproom in Katamachi, Kanazawa, serves six varieties of draft craft beer at any given time.

It is a popular place to stop during a sightseeing trip or on a weekend outing. Canned beers are also available for takeaway.

Address: 1-3-3 Katamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa

Opening Hours: 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays

Katamachi and Korinbo are within walking distance of Kenrokuen Garden and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. It is an ideal place to enjoy a relaxing drink in the late afternoon and round off a day of sightseeing.

Brewery tours are not available.

HACHIBAN is a craft gin produced by Kanazawa’s first dedicated spirits distillery.

Its debut gin received the prestigious Trophy award in the Contemporary Gin category at the 2023 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), making it an exceptional choice for a special gift.

A New Expression of Kanazawa's Food Culture

Alembic Ono Distillery, located in Ono, Kanazawa, is bringing a new dimension to the city's craft spirits scene.

Its first craft gin, HACHIBAN, was released in 2022 and has since received international recognition at prestigious spirits competitions in London and San Francisco.

It is attracting attention as a distinctive gin that reflects Kanazawa's rich food culture.

The Story Behind the Distillery: From Kanazawa's Food Culture to the World

Alembic was established in 2019 by founder NAKAGAWA Toshihiko in Ono, a historic port town in Kanazawa.

Ono is known for its rows of traditional soy sauce breweries and its long-standing fermentation culture, which has been passed down through generations.

Inspired by this heritage, Alembic set out to create a gin that complements Kanazawa's food culture, using local ingredients and drawing inspiration from the region's natural environment.

Its first craft gin, HACHIBAN, launched in 2022, embodies this philosophy.

What Makes HACHIBAN Special?

HACHIBAN is made using eight botanicals, or plant-based ingredients that give gin its distinctive aroma and flavor, including kuromoji (a fragrant Japanese aromatic shrub) and various citrus fruits.

Both the brewing water and the water used to dilute the spirit come from the pure groundwater of Mt. Hakusan, bringing the natural character of the Hokuriku region into every bottle.

In 2023, HACHIBAN received a Gold Outstanding award at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) in London, one of the world's leading spirits competitions. It also won the top award, the Trophy, in the Contemporary Gin category.

In the same year, it received a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, further establishing its international reputation.

A Craft Gin That Complements Kanazawa's Cuisine

Even those who find gin too strong or distinctive may be pleasantly surprised by HACHIBAN.

Its carefully selected botanicals create a rich and elegant aroma. However, Alembic's philosophy goes beyond enjoying the character of gin itself: the spirit is designed to complement and enhance the flavors of food.

It is particularly recommended alongside Kanazawa's fresh seafood and traditional Japanese cuisine, making it an excellent choice as a drink to accompany a meal.

Where to Buy HACHIBAN

HACHIBAN is available at selected specialty shops and liquor stores in Kanazawa.

For information on authorized retailers, please visit the official website.

Alembic Ono Distillery is not open to the general public for tours.

-For those who prefer sweet aromas and a mild, less bitter taste

→ Noto Chestnut Craft Beer – "Adult's Mont Blanc Ale"

Enjoy the roasted aroma of Noto chestnuts and gentle sweetness in this dessert-like beer.

-For those who want to experience the flavors of Kanazawa

→ Oriental Brewing's craft beers

Discover distinctive local ingredients such as Yuwaku yuzu, Kaga Bocha, and Noto sea salt in a variety of flavors.

-For beer lovers among your friends, family, or colleagues

→ BREW CLASSIC canned beers

Bring home the distinctive taste of a brewery whose beers have won gold at international competitions.

-For a special treat or a gift for someone important

→ HACHIBAN by Alembic

An aromatic craft gin from Ono, Kanazawa, internationally recognized at prestigious spirits competitions.

• -In Japan, drinking alcohol is prohibited for anyone under the age of 20.

• -Driving under the influence of alcohol is prohibited by law.

• -Drinking alcohol during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may adversely affect the development of the fetus or infant.

• Please enjoy alcohol responsibly and in moderation.