Enjoying Early Summer in Hayama: An Exquisite Pairing of Grilled Ayu at the Historic Ryotei 'Hikage Chaya' and Sake 'Afuri' Nurtured by Tanzawa's Pure Water

Shimada Group's Kikkawa Jozo Co., Ltd. will host an exclusive collaboration event, 'Summer Cool Banquet with Ayu and Sake,' on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the historic Japanese restaurant 'Hikage Chaya' in Hayama Town, Kanagawa Prefecture. This is a special gathering to enjoy seasonal Ayu and carefully selected sake.

Background: A Night Where Hayama's History Meets Tanzawa's Pure Water Set at Hikage Chaya, a renowned restaurant in Hayama that has upheld its tradition since its founding, this one-night-only banquet will feature five types of sake brewed by Kikkawa Jozo and a special kaiseki meal centered around grilled Ayu, a symbol of early summer. Satoshi Ishiwata, Director of the liquor specialty trading company Yokohama Kimijimaya, will be invited to provide expert commentary on the deep charm of sake and its pairing with the cuisine.

Event Highlights: - Exclusive Event at Traditional 'Hikage Chaya': Spend an elegant time in the main hall of the historic Japanese restaurant in atmospheric Hayama. - Pairing Early Summer 'Ayu' with Sake: We will prepare summer kaiseki cuisine for this day, including grilled Ayu that evokes a summer atmosphere and crisp, fresh summer sake. - Kikkawa Jozo’s Unique 'Hard Water, Low Milling' Brewing: We will offer carefully selected sake brewed with subterranean water from Mount Tanzawa-Oyama (Mount Afuri, hardness 160) and a 'low milling' technique that does not over-polish the rice, resulting in a rich, environmentally conscious flavor.

Event Overview: - Name: Summer Cool Banquet with Ayu and Sake - Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026 - Reception: 17:15~ - Start: 17:45 - Location: Japanese Cuisine Hikage Chaya Main Hall (16 Horiuchi, Hayama-machi, Miura-gun, Kanagawa) - Fee: 15,730 yen per person (Includes special kaiseki, sake, lecture fee, tax and service charge included) - Note: Please refrain from visiting by car.

Profile of Commentator: Satoshi Ishiwata, Director, Yokohama Kimijimaya After gaining experience in the kitchen and service at the historic French restaurant 'Cote d'Or' in Mita, Tokyo, he joined the liquor trading company Yokohama Kimijimaya. He has directed various areas including sales management, new store launches, and procurement of wine and sake. He is a sake specialist holding SAKE DIPLOMA and WSET Level 3.