Founded in 1681, Chikuma Nishiki is the flagship brand of Chikuma Nishiki Brewery. The name "Chikuma Nishiki" is said to have been inspired by the sight of colorful autumn leaves floating on the surface of the Chikuma River. This sake has long been cherished in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture. The brewery is surrounded by nature, with the Asama mountain range to the north and the Yatsugatake mountain range to the south. The brewery also benefits from the underground water flow of the Chikuma River, Japan’s longest river. Within the brewery, four wells—both shallow and deep—are carefully utilized to source iron-free, mineral-rich water ideal for brewing. For rice, the brewery primarily uses locally grown Miyama Nishiki, meticulously polishing it in-house to ensure the highest quality. Chikuma Nishiki sake is known for its crisp, clean mouthfeel while still delivering the rich umami of rice.​