Takizawa Honten (Narita City, Chiba Prefecture)――The Only Sake Brewery on Naritasan Omotesando, Located Closest to Narita Airport

■ Brewing Water: “Narita Reisen,” a Premium, Slightly Alkaline Soft Spring Water Gentle on the Body

Takizawa Honten is located on the main approach to Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, one of Japan’s leading spiritual sites, which attracts approximately 10 million visitors annually.
The company was founded in 1872 after the first-generation founder visited Naritasan and received a revelation in a dream telling him, “You must brew sake here.”

The flagship brand is “Chomeisen.” The name embodies the meaning of “sake imbued with the spiritual power of longevity and extended life.”
They use the famous spring water that flows beneath Naritasan Omotesando as their brewing water; this water is slightly alkaline and is said to be good for your health. Since ancient times, many people who have drunk this water have reportedly said that it “cured their illnesses” or helped them “live longer.”

The goal is to create a delicious, good-luck sake that everyone can enjoy. This crisp, light, and dry sake is loved by people of all ages and has won numerous awards at competitions both in Japan and abroad.

■ Direct sales shop features a highly popular tasting corner for enjoying sake comparisons

Takizawa Honten, the only sake brewery in Omotesando, also operates a retail store. It offers a selection of more than 10 types of sake.
The shop also sells non-alcoholic amazake with hints of ginger and yuzu, making it a great spot for families with children to enjoy.

In addition, the shop has installed coin-operated sake dispensers so that visitors can easily sample sake, a traditional Japanese beverage. These dispensers offer 12 varieties, including daiginjo, ginjo, and seasonal sakes.

To use the vending machine, simply insert your coins and press the button for the type of drink you’d like. For 500 yen, you can sample three varieties, and you can add an extra drink for 200 yen. A flavor chart is displayed to help you easily find a drink you’ll enjoy. If you’re unsure, their staff will be happy to assist you.

The Takizawa Honten is about a 7-minute walk from JR Narita Station. Thanks to its convenient location—just a short train ride from Narita Station to Narita International Airport—it attracts many foreign tourists, many of whom reportedly buy large quantities of their favorite sake to take home as souvenirs. It has earned an excellent reputation, with visitors often saying, “I made wonderful memories in Japan.” It’s a must-visit spot if you’re in Narita.

■ Unagi(eel) × “Chomeisen” — A Blissful Pairing to Savor in Narita

Another feature of “Chomeisen” is that it pairs well with meals. When it comes to Narita’s local specialties, unagi (eel) is a huge hit with foreign tourists. Along the approximately 800-meter stretch of Omotesando, dozens of restaurants serving unagi line the street.
Some of these establishments boast a history of over 200 years, making this area a rare concentration of unagi(eel) restaurants even on a national scale.

Coated in a secret sauce passed down through generations and grilled to perfection—crisp on the outside and tender on the inside—this unagi(eel) is truly a signature dish of Narita. The rich aroma of charcoal fire wafts gently through the air, and before you know it, you find yourself stepping through the noren curtain, drawn by its irresistible allure.

“Chomeisen” pairs perfectly with unagi(eel). Enjoying this nutrient-rich dish alongside the sake will leave you feeling full of energy.

＜Recommended Items＞

Chomeisen Ginjo Junmai Bizen Omachi

This junmai ginjo sake is made using “Omachi,” a rice variety once known as the “legendary sake rice” and highly prized among sake enthusiasts. Characterized by its rich aroma and sweet flavor, it has also garnered excellent reviews from international drinkers. Pouring it into a wine glass allows its vibrant aromas to unfold even more fully, offering an even more elegant drinking experience.

Won the Gold Award in the Junmai category at “Kura Master,” a sake competition held in France that focuses on food and drink pairings for French consumers, in 2025.

Chomeisen Nakadori Daiginjo

Made with Yamada Nishiki, the “king of sake rice,” this sake boasts a vibrant aroma and rich flavor. It is a premium sake that everyone should try at least once.

“Nakadori” is the finest portion of the sake, renowned for its superb balance of aroma and flavor. While traditionally reserved for the sake brewers to savor, only a limited quantity is sold each year so that others may experience this supreme flavor. Presented in a luxurious vertical paulownia wood box, it makes the perfect gift for someone special.

In 2025, it won a Bronze Medal in the Daiginjo category of the Sake division at the International Wine Challenge, the world’s most influential wine competition, held in the United Kingdom.

[Takizawa Honten Company profile]

Address: 513 Kamicho, Narita, Chiba
Access: About 7 minutes walk from JR Narita Station/Keisei Narita Station
Phone Number: 0476-24-2292
Official website:https://takizawahonten.jp/

* This article is machine translated from Japanese to other foreign languages