We are delighted to announce that "Shichiken Sparkling Hoshi no Kagayaki" has won the President's Award, the highest honor at the very top of the sake competition, at Kura Master 2026, held in Paris, France.Kura Master was founded in 2017, and this is the first time in its history that a sparkling sake has received the President's Award in the sake competition.Kura Master is judged by French sommeliers and restaurant and hotel professionals. It was founded in 2017 as "a sake competition by the French, for the French," and 2026 marked its 10th edition. This year's competition was held at Le Pavillon Ledoyen in Paris. Approximately 125 judges took part, including sommeliers holding the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) and professionals from five-star hotels and three-Michelin-star restaurants. Together they evaluated a total of 1,252 entries across four competitions, including sake, and 21 categories.Each competition presents a single President's Award, its highest honor, chosen by the president of the jury. In the sake competition, which has nine categories, the judging comes down to that one award. Below the President's Award come the Jury's Award for the top entry in each category, followed by the Platinum Award and the Gold Award for high-ranking entries.Since the competition was founded, the President's Award in the sake competition has gone to entries from categories such as junmai, junmai daiginjo and daiginjo. Until now, no entry from the Sake Sparkling category had reached the President's Award, the pinnacle of the entire sake competition."Shichiken Sparkling Hoshi no Kagayaki" has now broken through that barrier. Becoming the first sparkling sake to receive the President's Award holds great meaning for Shichiken.Kura Master and the International Wine Challenge (IWC) are the two competitions that have led the international recognition of sake. This is the first time at either competition that a sparkling sake has received the world's highest honor, making Shichiken the first brewery to open that door.We extend our heartfelt thanks to the local farmers who made this honor possible, and to everyone who has supported Shichiken over the years. Everyone at Shichiken takes great pride in this award, and we will continue to devote ourselves to brewing sake that is cherished by all.　　For details of the 10th Kura Master President's Award announcement, please visit the official website.Kura Master Sake Competition 2026 (Japanese)

Private Villa Esoto: Opened June 1, 2026Since our founding in 1750, we at Shichiken have been dedicated to the craft of sake brewing here in Hakushu, drawing on the pure, underground water nourished by Mount Kaikomagatake. “Water is our essence”—water is our very essence and the source of all things.We are opening “Esoto,” an exclusive, whole-house inn where guests can take their time to savor with all five senses the bountiful blessings of our renowned spring water, our 300-year history of brewing, and the vision we have for the future.We promise you a stay in the serene surroundings of our historic cultural residence, where you can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and find peace of mind as you surrender yourself to the flow of water and time.　STORY - Selecting, Refining, and SharpeningThe inn that embodies that philosophy is Private Villa Esoto.Nestled in the embrace of Mount Kaikoma in the Southern Alps lies Hakushu, and within it, the historic post town of Daigahara, once a hub of human interaction and cultural exchange. The sake brewing of Shichiken has walked hand in hand with the history of this land, sustained by the pure water polished over long ages by granite. “Private Villa Esoto” is a one-group-per-day inn born from a reexamination of nature’s bounty and the accumulation of time—carefully selecting what truly deserves to be preserved, stripping away the superfluous, and sharpening the senses.Our goal here goes beyond simply building a single inn. We aim to pass on the memories of the land known as Taigahara-juku to future generations, and to gently rekindle the flow of water, the daily rhythms of life, and the comings and goings of people in this area. As a new form of hospitality that contributes to the revitalization of the region, we offer our guests a time that quietly resonates in their hearts.　EXPERIENCE - Connect with the origins of water and sake through your five sensesWe have prepared a special experience for you.*Please note that you must register separately for the trial session.Directions to the Water SourceWe invite you to visit the source of the water that shapes the character of Shichiken’s sake. Amid the tranquility of nature, take a moment to experience firsthand the pristine landscape where the water originates and feel its purity.Directions to the Rice FieldsWe began growing rice this year. We cultivate varieties unique to our region, such as the sake rice “Yumesan-sui.” Come see our farming practices rooted in the local climate and soil.Brewery TourYou are invited to tour our brewery and see firsthand the daily work of sake production. As you take in the atmosphere of the brewery, we will pour you aged and limited-edition sakes—available only here—along with the brewers’ passion and dedication.The Harmony of Sake and FoodWe pair Shichiken’s finest sake—including sparkling sake—with dishes made from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Please enjoy a moment of pure bliss as each distinct flavor harmoniously blends together.　PAIRING DINNER - A dining experience where Hakushu’s terroir and the philosophy of sake brewing come togetherDinner is served in our guests-only dining room. To highlight the “smoothness that blends seamlessly into any occasion” characteristic of Shichiken sake, we have carefully selected ingredients grown by local producers.The perfect temperature of the dishes, the artistry of the tableware—primarily antique pieces dating from the Meiji era onward—and the harmony with the sake. We invite you to fully savor the delightful pairing of our cuisine, which highlights the natural bounty of the region, with our fine sake.　SPACE - A serene space that preserves traces of history while prioritizing comfortCarefully selected, streamlined, and refined. We have preserved the charm of this traditional Japanese house, believed to have been built around 1907, and transformed it into a high-quality space suited for modern living.With a living room overlooking a beautiful garden and a soothing traditional bath, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a peaceful time of quiet reflection.　WELLNESS - A serene brewery bath where you can relax and let yourself be carried away by “water,” the lifeblood of brewingThis unique bathroom, a hallmark of Esoto, was created by renovating a historic storehouse on the property.In this serene space bathed in Hakushu’s soft natural light, you can appreciate the contrast between the stonework and the clear water. Please enjoy a relaxing experience that gently soothes both body and mind.　INFORMATION - Facility OverviewFacility NamePrivate Villa EsotoOpening DateJune 1, 2026Accommodation TypeLimited to one group per day · Entire property rental (up to 4 guests)Location2291 Daigahara, Hakushu-machi, Hokuto City, Yamanashi Prefecture 408-0312DirectionsApproximately 20 minutes by car from the Kobuchizawa Interchange on the Chuo Expressway / Approximately 10 minutes by taxi from Nagasaka Station on the JR Chuo Main LineAccommodation InquiriesLOOOF Co., Ltd. Tel: 055-244-3895　　　ReservationsPrivate villa esoto Website　Press KitWe have prepared logos, photos, and other materials related to Esoto for members of the media. Please download them from the dedicated page and feel free to use them.View the dedicated page