A post town, where numerous famous sake brands were produced and fascinating history still dwells

Okazaki was especially patronized by the shogunate government during the Edo period as it was where Tokugawa Ieyasu was born. The city flourished through the Okazaki-juku and Moto-juku post towns of the Fifty-three Stages of the Tokaido. As a key point between the east and west, Okazaki developed a post town culture. Owing to the abundance of water from the Yahagi River, and the production of bountiful quality rice, Okazaki is blessed with optimum conditions for sake brewing, and has been producing high quality sake since a long time ago. Sake breweries competed against each other with their techniques, which resulted in the creation of many good quality sakes. Among them, Maruishi Jozo located in Naka-machi near the center of the city offers freshly pressed sake as well as matured sake throughout the year through persistence in the use of a distinctive type of sake rice and careful handcrafting. Also, Shibata Shuzojo which is located in Kanzui, Hokkyu-cho on the east side of the city enjoys clear spring water, as the name suggests (Kanzui meaning "god's water" in Japanese). Sake produced with this water as its main ingredient features a mellow flavor and soft fragrance. Think back to the romantic history of Okazaki Castle and Daijuji Temple, and come for a stroll to the long-standing sake breweries which have been in business since the Edo period.