Koganei Sake Brewery Completes Shipment of Risshun Morning Pressing on the Morning of Risshun Day, Bringing an Auspicious Spring Sake from Kanagawa
On February 4, 2026, Koganei Sake Brewery in Nanasawa, Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture, shipped its annual Risshun-day "Risshun Asashibori." The brewery also reported the shipment completion on its official Instagram at 3:20 p.m. that same day. Though the topic is sake, even fans who know the brewery for its craft beer "Sagami Beer" could feel the depth of fermentation culture in this move.
Hop BroMugi-chan, Koganei Sake Brewery in Kanagawa completed shipment of its Risshun-day "Risshun Asashibori" on February 4, 2026. This spring auspicious-sake news is not something to miss!
MugiWhat!? They pressed it in the morning and shipped it the same day!? That kind of speed is like a festival opening rush!
Hop BroExactly. It's a "race against time" where they bottle it from midnight and deliver it to stores before the day ends. In 2026, 42 breweries nationwide participated, and Koganei Sake Brewery is one of them.
MugiSeriously! So what does a race against time mean in beer terms?
Hop BroIt means reading the fermentation peak. It's the ability to design things so they land at the final quality at the intended moment. In technical terms, you could call it "fermentation management," but basically it's the craft of catching the most delicious moment!
MugiOhhh! I get it now! The artisans must even be reading the feelings of the fermentation!
Hop BroWhat's more, Koganei Sake Brewery is a long-established producer founded in 1818, the first year of the Bunsei era, and since 1998 it has also been brewing craft beer called "Sagami Beer." It's a two-sword-style brewery.
MugiTwo-sword style is so cool! What kind of beer is Sagami Beer?
Hop BroIts core is 100% malt, spring water from the foot of the eastern Tanzawa mountains, and unfiltered draft beer. In style terms, it values "craft unfiltered draft," and the aroma and flavor come through directly.
MugiFeel the season with Risshun Asashibori, then drink Sagami Beer to experience the brewery's other face... that's the best flow ever! Hop-nii, let's toast with that today!
On February 4, 2026, Koganei Sake Brewery posted on its official Instagram, "Today, we successfully shipped the Risshun Asashibori," marking the milestone of finishing and shipping on the same day.
Risshun Asashibori is a seasonal event in which participating breweries across Japan take part on the same day as part of a Japanese Brewers Association project. In 2026, 42 breweries participated, and Koganei Sake Brewery has been active as one of the breweries in Kanagawa Prefecture taking part in the project. Local reporting from January described the brewing process moving forward so it could be finished on the day of Risshun, with bottling starting in the middle of the night and the products delivered to stores before the day was over.
This "race against time" resonates with craft beer fans as well. The skill of reading fermentation conditions and designing the product so it reaches its final quality at the intended moment is one of the shared pleasures of both beer and sake.
The Brewery's "Two Faces" Over More Than 200 Years
Koganei Sake Brewery was founded in 1818, the first year of the Bunsei era. While continuing to make sake in Nanasawa, Atsugi, it also began brewing craft beer in 1998 and has developed "Sagami Beer." According to official information, Sagami Beer clearly emphasizes three pillars: 100% malt, spring water from the foot of the eastern Tanzawa mountains, and unfiltered draft beer.
Risshun Asashibori in the sake world, and craft beer refined year-round. What makes Koganei Sake Brewery especially interesting is that the same brewery handles both. Someone who first learns about the brewery through a seasonal auspicious sake may next move on to beer. Or a beer fan may encounter sake through a single bottle of morning pressing. The 2026 shipment report has become news that naturally creates that back-and-forth.
Information may be inaccurate. Please refer to the brewery’s official channels for the latest details.
Hop BroMugi-chan, Koganei Sake Brewery in Kanagawa completed shipment of its Risshun-day "Risshun Asashibori" on February 4, 2026. This spring auspicious-sake news is not something to miss!
MugiWhat!? They pressed it in the morning and shipped it the same day!? That kind of speed is like a festival opening rush!
Hop BroExactly. It's a "race against time" where they bottle it from midnight and deliver it to stores before the day ends. In 2026, 42 breweries nationwide participated, and Koganei Sake Brewery is one of them.
MugiSeriously! So what does a race against time mean in beer terms?
Hop BroIt means reading the fermentation peak. It's the ability to design things so they land at the final quality at the intended moment. In technical terms, you could call it "fermentation management," but basically it's the craft of catching the most delicious moment!
MugiOhhh! I get it now! The artisans must even be reading the feelings of the fermentation!
Hop BroWhat's more, Koganei Sake Brewery is a long-established producer founded in 1818, the first year of the Bunsei era, and since 1998 it has also been brewing craft beer called "Sagami Beer." It's a two-sword-style brewery.
MugiTwo-sword style is so cool! What kind of beer is Sagami Beer?
Hop BroIts core is 100% malt, spring water from the foot of the eastern Tanzawa mountains, and unfiltered draft beer. In style terms, it values "craft unfiltered draft," and the aroma and flavor come through directly.
MugiFeel the season with Risshun Asashibori, then drink Sagami Beer to experience the brewery's other face... that's the best flow ever! Hop-nii, let's toast with that today!