Flanked by sacred Mt. Hakusan and blessed by the underground waters of the Kuzuryu River, which flows from its slopes, Eiheiji Town—home to the revered Soto Zen head temple, Daihonzan Eiheiji—has long been known as a town of masterful sake brewing.
At the heart of this sake heritage lies Kokuryu Sake Brewery, one of Japan’s most esteemed breweries. In June 2022, its parent company Ishidaya Nizaemon Co., Ltd. launched ESHIKOTO, a cultural hub that places sake at its core while showcasing the rich traditions of Fukui and the greater Hokuriku region.
The name “Eshikoto” draws from the old Japanese word eshi, meaning “good,” symbolizing a wish to create enduring goodness for Fukui—something that will last tokoshie（永久）.

Set on spacious grounds along the Kuzuryu River, this multi-purpose facility offers an exclusive opportunity to sample and purchase original labels from Ishidaya’s own Kokuryu Sake Brewery, available only here.
Founded in 1804, Kokuryu is now led by its eighth-generation master brewer, Naoto Mizuno. When he first stood on this land—just upstream from the brewery’s headquarters—he was reminded of Burgundy, the world-famous wine region. He envisioned a place akin to a Champagne domaine, where not only brewing and aging take place, but also where sake culture could be shared with the world.
From sparkling sake created using secondary fermentation in the bottle to spirits distilled from sake lees and matured in mizunara oak barrels—innovations like these are drawing increasing attention from across the globe.

In November 2024, a new chapter began with the opening of KANSHUKUEN
ESHIKOTO, a luxurious auberge within the same premises.
The name KANSHUKUEN（歓宿縁）is a Buddhist term meaning “to celebrate a rare and precious encounter,” reflecting the concept behind this retreat—a place to share special food, sake, and joy in harmony with nature.

Eight villas are spread across gentle slopes once used as terraced rice fields. Each is equipped with its own private hot spring. Guests can unwind in semi-open-air baths while enjoying the views of the Kuzuryu River and the tranquil rural landscape, bringing comfort to both body and mind.

The cuisine is overseen by two renowned chefs:
Shimpei Komatsu of “Nihonryori En” (formerly Chisou En), whose restaurant earned a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Hokuriku 2021, and
Takumi Hamaya of cadre, a French restaurant highly praised by Gault & Millau.
Chef Komatsu creates vibrant hassun platters featuring the mountain and sea bounty of Hokuriku, such as fuki, kogomi, hotaru-ika, and heshiko.

Chef Hamaya brings out Fukui’s terroir in French style, using branded “Fukui ama-ebi” (sweet northern shrimp) and mozzarella from Tajima Farm in Awara City.

Together, they blend the culinary soul of Fukui—including Echizen crab, the kombu culture from Kitamaebune trade ports, and the shojin ryori of Eiheiji—into distinctive dishes that can only be experienced at KANSHUKUEN.
Pair these dishes with Kokuryu’s finest sake, and you’ll discover a sublime harmony that fully embodies the nature of this land.
After dinner, guests can unwind further with cocktails crafted from local fruits and Kokuryu spirits at Bar Toki (刻), with ‘toki’ meaning ‘time’—a place to savor each moment in its fullest expression.

In the morning, breakfast is served by Apéro & Pâtisserie acoya（アペロ＆パティスリー アコヤ）, where Fukui’s traditions shine through each dish.
This unparalleled fusion of sake and auberge offers more than relaxation—it is a living embodiment of ESHIKOTO, a vision of cultural preservation and innovation that continues into the future.

ESHIKOTO
Getting there: about 10 minutes by car from Eiheiji Sando IC on Chubu Jukan Expressway; about 25 minutes by car from JR Fukui Station
Address: 12-17 Shimojohoji, Eiheiji Town, Yoshida District, Fukui Prefecture 910-1202
Website: https://www.eshikoto.com

Text/ Shunji Miyagawa
Photography/ Masashi Okutani
Translation/ Yumiko Sushitani