Recharge your senses at a sake brewery that weaves together time!

A Stroll Through the Kanagawa Gallery
File.7 okeba
Shino Yamamoto (Galerie Watts)

If someone asks me, "Do you like drinking alcohol?", I'm the kind of person who would answer "Yes!" without hesitation. However, there was a place I'd always wanted to visit after hearing about it from ceramic artist Asako Okamura.
It's called "okeba." Okeba means "barrel workshop," and it represents a workshop where sake barrels and tools are repaired and manufactured.
Gallery Stroll has not changed to a sake brewery tour this time around (lol).
The gallery shop we're introducing today is "okeba," located in a corner of Kumazawa Sake Brewery, the only remaining sake brewery in Shonan, which was founded in 1872.
At the entrance, old, large sake bottles are lined up as if to welcome visitors. This is definitely something you'd expect from a sake brewery. I open the charming sliding door and step inside with excitement.

In the space right inside the entrance, a pottery exhibition by siblings Asako and Tomotaro Okamura, who introduced me to okeba, was being held. They are from Hiratsuka and are regular artists who hold exhibitions here every year. This space hosts exhibitions by artists of various genres every month.

Asako says, "I prefer expressing forms using ceramic panels and other materials rather than making pottery," and her works evoke a sense of comfort, like sketching everyday scenes.

Meanwhile, Tomotaro creates pottery ranging from playful to traditional styles. Alongside his pottery work, Tomotaro serves as the chairman of the organizing committee for "Oiso Utsuwa no Hi," a popular event in Kanagawa Prefecture, where he works with fellow local potter Hiroyuki Tomita and others to create a space where pottery and people can connect. This year marks the 9th time the event has been held! It is scheduled to take place around the end of October.

Asako Okamura (left), who has had a long relationship with okeba, and store manager Wakako Muraishi look just like sisters.

Stepping further inside, you're greeted by a vast and impressive space. This renovated warehouse, which was used as a barrel maker for over 100 years, now houses crafts made by artists from the Shonan region, as well as vintage furniture and antique items.
The shelves near the ceiling were packed with tools that had finished their role in sake brewing, a tangible reminder of its past.
The store's lineup of rare antiques and cute, nostalgic items was selected by store manager Wakako Muraishi. She loves antiques and used to buy and wholesale them under the name "Mononomeya," which led to her connection with Okeba and her appointment as store manager.
During our conversation, we discovered that Muraishi was one of the founding members of "Tsukiyama," which we introduced last time. It seems that he is an essential person in revitalizing the Shonan area.
"Modern art pieces are filled with the thoughts of their creators, while antiques are filled with the thoughts of generations of users, and in both you can feel the 'spiritual richness that is essential to life,'" says Muraishi.
Indeed, everything displayed in this historic space resonates with a certain sensibility, and speaks volumes about it.

On the second floor, there's a section for picture books and antique books, including some precious picture books that the owner of okeba collected while reading to her own children. Once you pick up one book, your interest will be piqued, and you'll find yourself drawn to another, with fascinating books that offer a glimpse into various cultures. You could easily spend several hours here without even realizing it.

"We introduce items from a wide range of genres, so I hope you can take your time browsing, find something that resonates with you, and enjoy your life," says Muraishi.

Now, on the grounds where okeba is located, a trattoria and cafe run by Kumazawa Brewery, as well as a bakery that uses beer yeast, are gathered together like a small village. The entrance, covered with large trees, makes you feel as if you've wandered into another world, like Alice in Wonderland or The Chronicles of Narnia.

Kumazawa Brewery's "Shonan Beer" is well-known, but their local farm beers, made with fruits from local farmers, are also popular. Luckily, I was able to order the "Kataura Lemon Ale," which had just been released. So, just one glass, please (laughs).
The juicy, flavorful homemade sausages pair perfectly with a refreshing lemon beer!

It's easy to see why so many customers enjoy a relaxing day here, taking a break with a delicious meal and sake unique to the brewery, before returning to Okeba to continue their enjoyable time.
Seeing this sake brewery, which has been operating for over 150 years, further fostering local culture was reassuring. Imagining the richness of spirit that will be passed down for the next 100 years and beyond made me feel romantic, and I reached for my second beer.

Gallery Information
okeba

7-10-7 Kagawa, Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture 253-0082
TEL: 0467-50-0252
Gallery Hours: Weekdays 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM / Weekends and Holidays 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
(Opening hours may change)
Closed on: Third Tuesday of each month (except August and December)
*Parking available

"access"
▶︎10-minute walk from JR Sagami Line "Kagawa" Station
https://www.kumazawa.jp/mokichi/okeba/

* The Okamura siblings' pottery exhibition will be held until Wednesday, May 15th.