There are 13 sake breweries around Saku, Shinshu. Having so many breweries within such a small area is quite rare throughout the country. This location, surrounded by Mt. Asama, Mt. Tateshina, and Mt. Yatsugatake, and with the Chikuma River flowing through, has a rich source of water. With this distinctive-tasting mother water, the weather and natural features, and the passion of the sake brewers, unique sake is produced. Since 2013, young owners of the 13 breweries started an unprecedented project, SAKU13, where they jointly produce rice and brew sake together to make a single brand of sake. This project is the first of its kind to be seen in Japan, and has been receiving great feedback from people in and outside of the region.